Over 20,000 fans flock to the streets of Limerick to welcome home Liam MacCarthy for the fourth year in a row.
In what was an unforgettable event, an estimated 20,000 passionate hurling fans congregated at Pery Square on Monday night to welcome and honour the triumphant Limerick Senior Hurling team following their remarkable achievement of clinching an historic four-in-a-row of titles in the All-Ireland senior hurling championships.
Throngs of jubilant supporters draped in Limerick's famous green and white were treated to an evening’s entertainment with music from DJ Jen Payne, Limerick band Anna’s Anchor, the Limerick senior hurler’s favourite singer, Michael Maloney and the ever brilliant The Corner Boys.
The event, MC’d by Liam Aherne and Catriona Tierney reached a crescendo as the All-Ireland winning panel were introduced to the crowd, club by club, before the trio of manager John Kiely and captains Cian Lynch and Declan Hannon brought the Liam MacCarthy Cup out on to the stage.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Gerald Mitchell addressed the crowd on the night stating - “They lifted us out of decades of frustration and instilled a renewed sense of optimism and love for the game of hurling across the county.
“The massive crowd of supporters here tonight shows the level of respect this Limerick team has and the level of enjoyment they continue to bring to us all here in Limerick. Congratulations to all the Limerick panel and management on your continued success. Enjoy the celebrations. Luimneach Abú”
While the Mayor also congratulated those who organised the event on the night. Limerick City and County Council, Limerick GAA and CWB Management.
“I want to acknowledge the work done by Limerick GAA, Limerick City and County Council and CWB who organised this fantastic homecoming celebration and the big screen viewing of the match here in Pery Square”
Limerick’s winning captain from Sunday’s win, Cian Lynch, thanked the crowds, saying: “We are playing a sport we love, but at the end we’re a family and we stick together on the bad days and more so even the good days.
“And looking out here, what ye have done for us as young players playing a sport, we hope to encourage each and every one of you to live your dream, just like we are.”
These words were echoed by Limerick hurling manager John Kiely.
“This is just incredible! When we look back in years to come, I hope we realise that this is just an incredible sight and an amazing memory to have as a group. Ye [fans] have been with us the whole way through, and we are appreciative of what ye done for us all.”