There is an almighty low in Galway after the Tribesmen lost a nail-biting All-Ireland Football Final to Armagh.
Heads are probably sore from all the drowning of sorrows in the city and across the county last night.
Despite the gut-wrenching loss, hearts were bursting with pride after Pádraic Joyce’s team fought bravely until the end.
“It was the worst defeat of all time,” said heartbroken Gary Monroe of Monroe’s Tavern in Galway city.
“Talk about throwing it away. We missed far too many opportunities. It’s a shame after beating the best team, Dublin. But I will say congratulations to Armagh. Like ourselves, they don’t win it very often.”
Paul Fahy, the artistic director of the International Galway Arts Festival, was equally dignified in defeat yesterday.
“It was a great match against very tough competition. Well done to Armagh. The atmosphere around the city during the game was electric,” he said.
“While the Sam Maguire may not be coming west, Galway will still be party central with Sunday’s concert from The Saw Doctors at the Heineken Big Top, which brought the curtain down on the International Galway Arts Festival.”
The Galway Races also kick off today so Sam Maguire’s absence won’t affect the buzz at Ballybrit too much.
Yesterday, everything seemed so different in Galway city. Even on the drive from Dublin west yesterday, there were Galway flags flying proudly along the motorway.
A poster with a mocked-up picture of Donald Trump and his bloodied ear after the attempt on his life featured Trump with its fist in the air with the words “Galway for Sam!”.
Thousands were out and about in Galway jerseys around Eyre Square, along the Spanish Arch.
Musician Sharon Shannon was on the streets taking in the atmosphere.
She said: “Galway is always buzzing but there was an extra air of excitement with the build-up to the match with the Galway flags everywhere. Win or lose, Galway will still be as amazing as always.”
Disappointed fans also took the game in at the South Galway Music Festival in Ballinderreen yesterday. Among the fans was Galway hurling legend Noel Lane.
He said: “You can’t blame one individual person. Armagh on the day were better and deserved the win. It is devastating for [Galway] and maybe they were tipped a bit too much.”
