Thousands welcome home hurling heroes
Joy as liam Maccarthy back after 45-year drought
TENS of thousands of fans celebrated at the home of Limerick hurling last night as midfielder Cian Lynch told the buoyant crowd the newly-crowned All-ireland champions are “here to stay”.
Rockstars Bressie and The Blizzards quickly set pulses racing inside the Pairc na ngael for a spectacular party with the Liam Maccarthy Cup.
An estimated 90,000 thronged the streets of the Treaty City and inside the Gaelic Grounds to welcome their heroes and celebrate the end of a 45-year All-ireland wait. The concert celebrations were sent around the world via Limerick’s Live 95fm.
Pairc na ngael exploded in sound as the team appeared on stage to 40,000 adoring supporters inside the hallowed grounds.
Patrickswell clubman and Limerick midfielder Cian Lynch told the crowd: “Words can’t describe what this means.”
He added playing in Croke Park in an All-ireland final against Galway was akin to “gladiators battling in a cauldron.” Describing the close bond between the team, he said: “We are all brothers.”
Hours earlier, Limerick’s young hurling stars arrived by train into Colbert Station to a roaring welcome from thousands who had lined up outside the entrance gates.
Little Darragh Connolly, eight, quickly became the star of the show, as players lifted him on their shoulders along with the Liam Maccarthy Cup.
The All-ireland Champions joined the thousands at the railway station in an emotional rendition of the county’s hurling anthem “Limerick, You’re A Lady”.
Darragh said: “I felt so excited when they lifted me up. I just can’t believe it, it’s just been a magnificent day.
“The tears were coming out of my eyes, lifting Liam... I am so happy.”
Pat Frawley, seven, also found himself in front of the crowd with the team.
Riding high on hero Dan Morrisey’s shoulders in front of the thronged masses, he said: “It’s brilliant. I’m going to play for Limerick.”
James Kirby, 73, joined by his wife Mary, were both in tears as the team proudly showed off their silverware.
James said: “Our son Anthony was aged four in 1973 when we won the All-ireland final, and yesterday he drove us up to the match. It was great for us all to be there together.”
Kieran Harrison, who travelled on the team train back to the new capital of hurling, wiped away tears as he joined the players in a rousing rendition of “Sean South from Garryowen”, the city’s historic battle cry.
The 53-year-old said: “When the whistle blew in Croke Park I felt 20 years younger. My son Mark, who’s 15, was crying – I was crying – everyone around us was crying.”
The Ahane GAA clubman added: “I will never feel as emotional again in my entire life.”
The team carried the cup aloft on an open-top bus through the city’s streets towards the swaying sea-of-green party already rocking on at Pairc na ngael.
Inside the Gaelic Grounds, RTE sports commentator Marty Morrisey didn’t need to get the crowd going but got one of the biggest roars of the night when he said: “The biggest party is in Limerick tonight… and you know Marty loves to party.”
Rachel and Mark Cosgrave brought along their children Darragh, five, and nine-year-old Cadhla for the special occasion.
Dressed in their green and white jerseys, Rachel said: “It is fantastic to be part of such a great day.”
Proud dad Mark, whose nephew Andrew La Touche Cosgrave was part of the All-ireland Champions panel, added: “We are very emotional.”
When the whistle blew I felt 20
years younger, I was crying, my son was crying
KIERAN HARRISON
LIMERICK YESTERDAY