The sun beat down on up to 1,500 people who escorted the funeral cortege of Galway footballing legend Seán Purcell through his home town of Tuam last night.
The funeral tomorrow of the former national schoolteacher affectionately termed "The Master" is expected to be the biggest Co Galway has ever seen.
Mr Purcell, from Bishop Street in Tuam, died at the age of 76 on Saturday night at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, where he was admitted after developing health problems five weeks ago.
Hundreds of people carrying flags turned out along the route to pay respects to a man regarded as the greatest Gaelic footballer of all time. The crowds came out in their hundreds in Ballinasloe, where Mayor Hugh Dolan led the guard of honour formed by St Grellan's, surrounding GAA clubs and members of the public. Next Sunday is the 60th anniversary of the 1955 county final when Tuam Stars beat Ballinasloe with Seán Purcell fisting the winning goal in the final two minutes.
The cortege wound its way north through Ahascragh, Caltra, Mountbellew and Moylough, where guards of honour waited. At Barnadearg, the last village before Tuam, the cortege was met by former All Ireland-winning captain Pádraic Joyce.
In Tuam, the funeral cortege was met by up to 1,500 people at the home of his former club, Tuam Stars, who accompanied the hearse through the town to tumultuous applause.
The funeral travelled down the Purcell-Stockwell Road (named after Seán and his "terrible twin" and team-mate Frank Stockwell, two years ago).
A lone bagpiper led the cortege along the final leg to the oratory at St Jarlath's College. The hearse was flanked by chairman of Galway Football Board Pat Egan and the board's officers. They were followed by officers and members of Tuam Stars and a number of Purcell's old playing comrades.
All Ireland-winning Galway hurlers John and Michael Connolly joined the guard of honour at St Jarlath's last night, along with three-in-a-row star John Keenan and Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs Noel Treacy.
The body of the late Seán Purcell reposed at St Jarlath's Oratory until 10pm last night and will repose today from noon to 7.30pm, before being removed to Tuam Cathedral of the Assumption.
Seán Purcell is survived by his children John, Robert, Ruth, Mary, Francis and Louise; his sister Maura (from Cork) and brother Frank (from Mayo).
He was named centre forward on the GAA/An Post "Team of the Millennium" and "Team of the Century". His achievements included winning an All Ireland colleges medal with St Jarlath's, Tuam, in 1946 and 10 county championship titles in his career with the Tuam Stars club.
He won an All Ireland senior football medal with Galway in 1956 and three railway cup medals in 1951, 1957 and 1958 as captain.
