After an eight-year wait, Kerry are All-Ireland champions once again, giving Pat Spillane a remarkable send-off from his punditry career.
This was always going to be a big day for the Spillane family. Pat was bringing his time on The Sunday Game to a close, while his nephews Killian and Adrian were part of the panel for the game. While neither would start, they would come on at halftime and play a big role in the victory.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, Pat Spillane explained why an All-Ireland triumph against this particular opponent would have meant so much to their family.
Pat Spillane also remembered his late father Tom, who he says "would have been a proud man to now have 21 All-Ireland medals into his house.
'It's just a special day'
An emotional Pat Spillane speaks about the legacy of the Spillane family as more All-Ireland medals are added in this generation #sundaygame #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/wsUpZZgLP4
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 24, 2022
It's a lovely way to finish my time here.
I'm a passionate Kerry man, I've been critical of them at times. We knew there was a very talented bunch coming through, but talent doesn't necessarily win you All-Irelands.
We were getting impatient, but I saw a different bunch this year. I saw a resilient bunch. It's brilliant to see David Clifford delivering and getting an All-Ireland medal.
From a personal point of view, in 1964 my father was a selector for Kerry against Galway. The night before the game, he had a pain in his chest but wouldn't go to the doctor.
He went to the game the following day as a selector and was dead by Tuesday. Kerry-Galway matches to me always brings back this memory.
My father never saw us play, the three sons. Today, the three sons have 19 All-Ireland medals and his two grandsons, Killian and Adrian, have two more. He would have been a proud man to see 21 All-Ireland medals brought into his house.
It's just a special day.
Some occasion for Pat Spillane's family and Kerry as a whole.
Kerry entered this afternoon's final against Galway as favourites, and while it was a tough contest, their class told in the end.
It was a fantastic game of football. The first half was a tense one, although there was still some quality moments on show. Galway had the best of the play, bringing a one-point lead into the interval.
The second half was a remarkable exhibition of score taking. Both sides popped over some remarkable points, including this effort from Shane Walsh.
It's Shane Walsh v David Clifford and neither man is backing down in the standards being set. Sensational stuff, this time from Walsh.
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/zzaMYbFSSl#SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/Qa4yoy6Lj6— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 24, 2022
However, Kerry's extra bit of quality in the forward line told in the end.
READ HERE: Sunday Game Gaelic Football Team Of The Year Revealed
When the game was in the melting pot, it was them that managed to get the vital scores. They would ultimately emerge as winners on a scoreline of 0-20 to 0-16.
Sam is back in the Kingdom!
Watch the final moment as Kerry seal their 38th All-Ireland title
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/zzaMYbFSSl#SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/q18eYoPRPX— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 24, 2022
This All-Ireland has been a long time coming for this group, which features some of the very best footballers in the country. It will be the first All-Ireland of many in this panel, although those who have seen Kerry win this competition on a number of occasions in the past will be equally as emotional.
The celebrations will go on for quite a while after this one.
SEE ALSO: Pat Spillane Was Given An Incredible Farewell During Opening Of The Sunday Game
