Athlone railway bridge lights up in support of Galway footballers

On the last two occasions that the Galway senior footballers won the All-Ireland title, the team stopped in Athlone to mark the symbolic moment when the Sam Maguire Cup crossed the Shannon on its journey west.

It remains to be seen whether such a crossing will be happening after this Sunday's final against Kerry, but in advance of the big game Athlone's railway bridge had been lit up in maroon and white in a show of support for Pádraic Joyce's men!

The lighting display, pictured last night (Thursday), comes after the bridge was lit up in red and green, in support of Mayo, before their defeat in last September's final against Tyrone. Galway will be hoping it brings better luck this time.

A crowd of up to 10,000 people turned out in Athlone in 1998 to welcome the Galway footballers after they defeated Kildare to earn their first Sam Maguire Cup in 32 years.

The team carried 'Sam' over the town bridge in 1998, amid jubilant scenes.

The celebration in Athlone in 2001, after Galway defeated Meath, was a smaller affair but hundreds still turned out at the town's railway station to greet the team on the journey west.

The vice chairperson of Athlone Urban District Council, the late Breffni Rowan, officially welcomed the victorious Galway side in 2001, telling them, "I have three kids born in Galway, so I am half a Galwayman!"

The team's manager, John O'Mahony, also said a few words at the stop in Athlone, speaking about the symbolism of bringing 'Sam' across the Shannon.

According to the report in the Westmeath Independent, current Galway manager Pádraic Joyce was one of players "in demand for autographs" at the gathering in Athlone.