THERE were 21,110 people in Thurles on Saturday night for the All-Ireland U21 final and they came for a night of celebration.

IT’S A long way from Balbriggan to Thurles, longer still if, like Michael Gleeson, you lived in one but pined for the other.

THURLES, the largest town in north Tipperary with a population of just under 8,000; birthplace of the GAA and home of Thurles Sarsfields, holders of 29 Tipperary senior county titles and leaders on the roll of honour.