BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Fans honour cup heroes

Over 10,000 fans turned out at Crossmaglen to honour new All-Ireland Champions Armagh in Wednesday's Goal Challenge charity game against Louth.

Not surprisingly after some vigorous celebrations, the Armagh players looked a little jaded during the game after all the celebrations of the past 72 hours.

Pictures from Armagh's homecoming

Louth won the game 4-15 to 4-12 but the result on a night of joy for Armagh fans, was irrelevant.

Goalkeeper Benny Tierney even managed a stint outfield during the game and blasted a goal during the light-hearted contest.

It was fitting that Crossmaglen was the venue for the annual Goal match.

Crossmaglen native Joe Kernan manages the Orchard County squad while seven of the panel hailed from the South Armagh club.

Oisin McConville was one of several Crossmaglen men in the Armagh squad
Oisin McConville: In action on home turf

Such was the attendance that referee John Bannon was forced to delay the match by 15 minutes.

Half-time entertainment was provided by a sprint between the three Armagh full-backs and a blonde transvestite posing as RTE pundit Pat Spillane's mother.

The former Kerry star had said that his mother could run faster than the two McNulty brothers and Francie Bellew.

Fittingly Crossmaglen man Bellew won by a short-head.

Armagh heroes back home

A documentary on Armagh's historic success will be screened on BBC2 Northern Ireland on Thursday (2030 BST).

'When Joe Met Sam' profiles manager Joe Kernan's role in helping bring the famous All-Ireland trophy to the Orchard County for the first time.


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