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| Grand slam Ireland touches down | Grand slam Ireland touches down |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Ireland's rugby squad has returned home to a heroes' welcome after their Six Nations win in which they clinched their first Grand Slam in 61 years. | Ireland's rugby squad has returned home to a heroes' welcome after their Six Nations win in which they clinched their first Grand Slam in 61 years. |
| Declan Kidney's men sealed the clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15. | |
| Hundreds of fans greeted the team at Dublin airport. Ulster players Rory Best and Stephen Ferris said they were "shell-shocked" at the crowds. | |
| Thousands are expected at a reception for the team at the Mansion House in Dublin on Sunday afternoon. | |
| NI's first and deputy first ministers and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the congratulations for the squad. | NI's first and deputy first ministers and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the congratulations for the squad. |
| First Minister Peter Robinson said it was an "outstanding achievement". | First Minister Peter Robinson said it was an "outstanding achievement". |
| "I wish to congratulate the entire team and in particular Ulster players Rory Best, Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace, Tom Court and former Ulster player Tommy Bowe," he said. | "I wish to congratulate the entire team and in particular Ulster players Rory Best, Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace, Tom Court and former Ulster player Tommy Bowe," he said. |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the team had "sealed their place in our sporting history". | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the team had "sealed their place in our sporting history". |
| "Like everyone in Ireland I have followed the progress of Declan Kidney and his team and was delighted to see them fulfill their potential at last," he said. | "Like everyone in Ireland I have followed the progress of Declan Kidney and his team and was delighted to see them fulfill their potential at last," he said. |
| Mr Cowen said the triumph would go down in the history books as one of Ireland's greatest sporting victories. | Mr Cowen said the triumph would go down in the history books as one of Ireland's greatest sporting victories. |