Hurlers ‘blown away’ as 45,000 welcome them home

AN ESTIMATED 45,000 people revelled in Galway’s All-Ireland hurling triumph as seas of maroon and white engulfed Ballinasloe and Salthill to welcome the two teams home.

Micheál Donoghue’s senior team brought the Liam McCarthy Cup to its first stop in the county in 29 years as they arrived to a civic reception in Ballinasloe’s Fairgreen shortly after 4.30pm on Monday.
Up to 15,000 fans of all ages, brandishing flags and customised 17-G-LIAM banners, some of which included Sunday’s historic winning scoreline, were overcome with emotion to see the coveted silverware hoisted by senior captain David Burke.
Widely tipped as All-Ireland winners at the start of the championship season, Galway’s deliverance of the title after so many years of disappointment was savoured by those who hadn’t secured a ticket to Croke Park last Sunday, along with many who had, but had every intention of keeping the celebrations going.
As the victorious minor team were welcomed to the stage by Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Eileen Mannion, the senior players happily posed for photos and signed hurleys and jerseys for their young fans as they waited in the wings.
The party atmosphere in Ballinasloe peaked when Abbeyknockmoy’s Paul Flaherty, a member of the senior panel, was invited to lead the crowd and both teams in a version of The West’s Awake.