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Grand Slam Ireland welcomed home Grand Slam Ireland welcomed home
(40 minutes later)
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.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.
The team, which completed a clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15, were given a rapturous welcome at the Mansion House in Dublin.The team, which completed a clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15, were given a rapturous welcome at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored Ireland's first try, said it was a "fantastic feeling".Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored Ireland's first try, said it was a "fantastic feeling".
"You're not as sore as you would have been if you had lost," he said."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.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.""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.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."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."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."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.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.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.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 try-scoring winger Tommy Bowe entertains the thousands of people celebrating Ireland's Grand Slam win