Cats celebratesweet victory amid cheers, rain and roars

YOU’D never think it was their 29th All-Ireland win, or that it was just three short years since Liam MacCarthy was last seen in Cats country.

But hurling isn’t a game in Kilkenny. It’s a religion. And last night, the euphoria, passion and sheer joy of an oh so sweet victory and blocking the Rebel Treble was evident on the streets of a very damp Kilkenny.

The scenes amid the 25,000 plus who greeted the 2006 All-Ireland champions could only be compared to those witnessed in Ennis when Clare took the honours in 1995.

Captain fantastic, Jackie Tyrrell, got one of the loudest cheers from the adoring fans who braved the rain and packed into the city’s Market Yard.

“We’re tired, very tired,” he said as he got off the train. “But it’s great to be back. Liam MacCarthy hasn’t been home since 2003 and its fantastic to bring him back,” the elated captain said.

But goal and three points scorer, Aidan Fogarty, was also roared home by loyal supporters last night. He too has been crowned a true hero on his home turf, and aptly hailed ‘The Cats Pyjamas’.

Henry Shefflin beamed. “I’m delighted to be back. It would be very difficult coming home had we lost. Words fail me. We’ll try to keep on to the cup as long as we can. But we’ll enjoy it tonight in any case.”

Ciarán Lawlor from Leighlinbridge in Carlow said it was one of the best finals he’s ever seen. “It’s the best All Ireland Kilkenny ever won. It was a very sweet victory — particularly so as we stopped Cork in their three-in-a-row bid like they did to us.

“No score was easy yesterday. Kilkenny have a fairly young team so hopefully we’ll be seeing Liam MacCarthy back here again for a few years.”

Dylan O’Shea is almost eleven and was back in school yesterday after an historic day in Croke Park. He was among the many at McDonagh Station to welcome the team home.

“It was brilliant. James Cha Fitzpatrick was the best player. I was back in school today, but we got no homework because of the win.”

Gowran man, Ned Dreeling, has seen a lot of teams come and go over his 70 years.

“The best team won and the best 15 were on the pitch all of the time. It ranks as one of the best All Ireland’s I’ve ever seen — it almost compares to the 1972 game in which we also beat Cork.”

And one of the bravest men in Kilkenny yesterday was Corkman, Tom Magnier, a native of Mallow. He jumped off the Waterford train which pulled up at Kilkenny station moments before the winning team arrived.

“I live in South Kilkenny now but I will always be a Corkman.

“This was the best team ever to come out of Cork but unfortunately, it is very hard to win All Irelands back to back.”