An injured seagull which proved to be the star of this year's All Ireland senior football final at Croke Park, is thankfully recovering well, after being nursed back to health by a local wildlife charity.
The gull caught the attention of the supporters who attended Sunday's decider as well as the thousands of viewers who watched the game at home, after landing on the Croke Park turf and staying there for most of the first half, despite 30 players playing around it.
The famous bird was later taken from the pitch by a stadium official, with the Kildare Wildlife Rescue organisation confirming that the seagull is on the mend.
In a statement posted on social media, the charity have said: “You may be thinking you have seen this gull before and you wouldn’t be mistaken".
“This Herring Gull had caused quiet the stir online after been spotted on the pitch of the All Ireland GAA game in Croke Park yesterday evening", they continued. "We received a large amount of emails from worried viewers at home who were watching Armagh go head to head with Galway to win the title of All Ireland champions".
“He was helped off the pitch by Barry Nolan who then transported the adult bird who just had some minor injuries to us yesterday evening", the charity added. “They are doing well and will only have a short stay with us before returning to the wild".
“Huge thanks to everyone who got in touch with us".
Gull rescued from the pitch of the All Ireland game yesterday @officialgaa @Armagh_GAA @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/Zc0J7hRvrX
— Kildare Wildlife Rescue (@WildlifeKildare) July 29, 2024
A 'Croke Park Seagull' account was even been created on X at half time in Sunday's final, which was eventually won by Armagh on a 1-11 to 0-13 victory over Galway, the Orchard County's first Sam Maguire success since 2002.
But there can be no doubt about who the star of the show was..........
I've been subbed off at the half. A disgrace tbh. Parish politics came to the fore there. Sorry for letting the fans down. I appreciate the support and hope to be back here next year #Allirelandfootballfinal #galway #armagh
— Croke Park Seagull (@crokergull) July 28, 2024
Brand New Night Club To Open In Dublin This Weekend