An impressive crowd of approximately 25,000 supporters from Clare hailed their hurling champions at Fairgreen in Ennis shortly before 9pm on Monday as the esteemed Liam MacCarthy cup was brought back to Clare for a meagre fifth occurrence. The victorious All-Ireland team appeared in a convertible bus in Ennis, marking their final significant visit of the day after crossing into the county late in the afternoon. Their first stop took place at the grounds of Wolfe Tones na Sionna where a throng of supporters gathered at the Shannon club to warmly greet the returning team.
As the trio from the Wolfe Tones club, Aron Shanagher, Rory Hayes, and Darragh Lohan ushered their colleagues onto the temporary stage whilst proudly raising the Liam MacCarthy, a popular fan anthem by Gala, ‘Freed from Desire’, was played by the DJ, causing the car park to erupt. The most significant commendation went to Wolfe Tones club member and Clare’s triumphant All-Ireland manager Brian Lohan, who is also Darragh’s uncle. Lohan, hoisting the Liam MacCarthy, informed the audience, “Our first stop is happily conducted here. We journeyed to Dublin yesterday morning to retrieve this trophy”.
A sign displayed on the rear of the vehicle trailer and temporary stage proclaimed: “Welcome to the Home of the Lohan”. Lohan is a two-time All-Ireland winner, having previously won in 1995 and 1995. Kieran McCarthy, an underage coach at the Wolfe Tones club, expressed his belief that Monday evening’s arousing scenes will motivate future generations of hurling players.
“I’m accompanied by my children this evening but I have memories of being slightly older than they are presently, fervently applauding Brian Lohan and Frank Lohan in the Wolfe Tones car park during the 1990s. Sharing tales about the car park in Wolfe Tones and the homecoming, then experiencing them first-hand at Croke Park yesterday and here today is remarkable,” McCarthy reflected.
“We haven’t identified them yet, but within this crowd, some three or four potential All-Stars are being motivated by these players and these experiences, which will fuel their ambition,” this was the atmosphere in the crowd. Winning an All-Ireland game means achieving a legendary status akin to Messi or Ronaldo. If Tony Kelly and Messi were to enter a room in Clare today, Tony Kelly would be the one applauded.
Speaking to the gathered crowd, Captain Tony Kelly shared a powerful message to every young Wolfe Tones member, they have potential role models in Rory, Shan, and Darragh to lookup to. He conveyed that the established players won’t be playing forever and there’s a need for young boys and girls to take up hurling, with hope that this would motivate the upcoming generation.
Following this, there was an overwhelming reception with approximately 8,000 supporters showing up at Páirc Uí Chaoimh to embrace the fallen Cork team. Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle, conveyed how the entire Leeside community was proud of the team’s performance and optimistic about bringing home the Liam MacCarthy cup the following year.
Veteran forward Pat Horgan from Glen Rovers was given the loudest cheer that night. He’d shot up to the top of all-time scoring charts with 12 points raising his total to 716 points. He used the opportunity to thank the Cork fans for their unwavering support throughout this year’s campaign.
In agreement with Horgan, Cork manager Pat Ryan took the stage, expressing pride in each player for their performance this season. “We’re fortunate, the Cork hurlers, we have exceptional support, and this began before the Limerick match. It’s been on the rise ever since and we honestly value it,” he added.