Over 50,000 Mayo supporters packed Hastings Insurance MacHale Park last evening to welcome home the new All-Ireland football champions.

And victorious Mayo manager Andy Moran received the biggest cheer when he defiantly told the adoring green and red hordes: “They sneered at us, they laughed at us, but they won’t laugh at us anymore!"

Asked how he felt on the morning after Mayo's greatest day in 75 years, Moran replied: “I was feeling good; there was a lot of media done, but when we crossed the border into Ballyhaunis, as Jack [Coyne, captain] said: ‘Stick your chest out and be proud for being from Mayo.’

“We have 42 guys behind us who have literally given their heart, but they’ve given their heart not just for themselves or for anything else; they’ve given it from Ballaghaderreen to Charlestown to Belmullet to Kilmaine to Castlebar.

“They’ve given it for ye people, and Kobe [McDonald] said something this morning; he said if we give ye energy, ye’ve given to us back and by God, did you give it to us back.”

Many supporters had gathered in Castlebar from early afternoon for the homecoming. The players were afforded a hero's welcome after travelling back from Dublin by train following their famous victory over Kerry on Sunday.

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