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Grand Slam Ireland touches down Grand Slam Ireland welcomed home
(about 1 hour 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. Thousands of people have turned out to greet Ireland's rugby squad 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. The team, which completed a clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15, were given a rapturous welcome at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Hundreds of fans greeted the team at Dublin airport. Ulster players Rory Best and Stephen Ferris said they were "shell-shocked" at the crowds. Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored Ireland's first try, said it was a "fantastic feeling".
Thousands are expected at a reception for the team at the Mansion House in Dublin on Sunday afternoon. "You're not as sore as you would have been if you had lost," he said.
Ronan O'Gara described the moments leading up to his dramatic late drop-goal which gave Ireland victory.
"We have a strategy for drop goals, a pattern to play. I was keen to have a crack so I just got straight in front of the posts."
Despite giving Ireland the lead with just a couple of minutes left, a penalty conceded by centre substitute Paddy Wallace gave Wales the chance to snatch a late win.
"I was ready to kill Paddy," O'Gara joked to the crowds.
Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan is mobbed by fans at Dublin AirportWallace quickly replied: "I just felt the game lacked a bit of excitement."
He added: "I felt sheer relief that he missed."
Coach Declan Kidney paid tribute to his team and the supporters who followed the Grand Slam campaign over seven weeks.
Earlier, hundreds of fans greeted the team at Dublin airport.
Ulster players Rory Best and Stephen Ferris said they were "shell-shocked" at the crowds.
"It's awesome isn't it," hooker Rory Best said."It's awesome isn't it," hooker Rory Best said.
"It's not properly sunk in yet, but it will soon.""It's not properly sunk in yet, but it will soon."
Veteran scrum-half Peter Stringer, who set up Ireland's vital winning try against Scotland in the penultimate match, said it was "impossible to take in".Veteran scrum-half Peter Stringer, who set up Ireland's vital winning try against Scotland in the penultimate match, said it was "impossible to take in".
"It's a credit to everyone who has turned out to welcome us home. It's something special, it really is.""It's a credit to everyone who has turned out to welcome us home. It's something special, it really is."
Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan is mobbed by fans at Dublin Airport
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".
"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".
"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.