‘Dreams’ come true in the Treaty County as tears of joy flow freely
PÁIRC na nGael was dreamland for 20,000 fans as Limerick became All-Ireland hurling champions for the first time in 45 years.
The noise at the GAA stadium in the heart of the city was deafening as fans reacted to the historic win.
Mothers and fathers wept, holding onto their children. And the emotion of the event was too much for some as just one point kept victory from Galway.
Evan Hayes (8) cried tears of joy as his father Ronan held him aloft to view the big screen at the stadium.
“Evan loves hurling due to his grandad Larry Hayes’s influence,” explained Ronan.
“His grandad was at Croke Park for the 1973 All-Ireland win, the last time Limerick won the All-Ireland, and he had told Evan all about it.
“I’m almost afraid to phone my dad [Larry] now as this win is just unbelievable.
“The 1973 game was the last one my dad attended at Croke Park and he’ll just be walking on air.
“His grandson will proudly wear his Limerick jersey tonight where we live in Tipperary. Limerick never leaves you.”
Amanda Tobin, from Garryspillane, Limerick, also broke down as she realised the magnitude of the historic win. The mother was “literally shaking” as she embraced her daughter Isobel Tobin Donoghue (8).
“I’m just overwhelmed. I knew when I got up this morning we could do it and I’m ecstatic. To be here today is magical. And these are tears of joy. I was three years old when we won the All-Ireland last time. Now my daughter will remember this for years to come too.”
Friends Shauna Costello (19) and Katie Molloy (19) jumped into the air and screamed in delight as their “boys in green” secured victory.
“This is just unreal,” Shauna said. “I never thought how amazing it would be just standing here to see Limerick win but I always believed.”
Mary Cahill, from Ballybricken, Co Limerick, had flown home from New York to watch the game at the stadium with her husband Brian Gavin and friend Annette Moloney.
“I moved to the Bronx at Christmas,” Mary said. “I love New York ... but there’s nowhere like home and an All-Ireland final.”
Eimear Purcell (36) took her daughter Clodagh (4) to the stadium with her husband Alan and sister Sinead Carey.
“We are so excited,” Eimear said. “There’s a fantastic atmosphere here in the city. Limerick is alive.”
It was just too monumental an event to miss for 72-yearold artist Una Breen, who’d dressed top to toe in green just for the occasion.
“I live across the road and know nothing about hurling,” said the grandmother of four.
“I’m more into rugby, but how could I not come here today to see Limerick amaze the country. This is just a great day.”
Two little girls and a young boy danced across the pitch, carrying a green and white ribbon between them while their parents embraced.
Outside, as the chanting crowds poured out onto the street, a young woman stopped to give a homeless man a €5 note. No one should be forgotten amid this almighty party.
“I could hear it all from here. It’s amazing. We did it,” the homeless man said, with a smile.
And the city’s famous daughter, Dolores O’Riordan, was never far from thoughts. The haunting ‘Dreams’ played out across the stadium, echoing across the streets, as Limerick realised this was no longer the stuff of dreams. Liam had been reclaimed at last.