A day of triumph and inspiration

Sir — Mile buiochas for Dermot Crowe’s wonderful interview with Joe Connolly last week. It brought back the emotion and passion of the Galway captain’s brilliant speech, as Gaeilge amhain, following his county’s victory in the 1980 AllIreland hurling final, the first for the Tribesmen since 1923.

Anyone fortunate enough to have been in attendance at Pairc an Chrocaigh on that September day will have been uplifted by what is considered as the most inspirational address ever by a winning All-Ireland captain.

His ‘‘A Mhuintir na Gaillimhe’’ introduction embraced not alone the people of Galway and its emigrant population in many countries, but their rich history, culture and heritage which was amplified by Joe McDonagh’s heartfelt, rousing rendering of The West’s Awake.

It was an occasion which will be remembered with fondness and relived by thousands of ‘‘Muintir na Gaillimhe’’ and many more besides.

Lorcan O’Rourke,

Droichead Nua, Co Kildare