'The players are now immortal': Thousands turn out to welcome home victorious Clare hurlers

The biggest cheer was reserved for long-time Wolfe Tones club man and Clare’s All-Ireland winning manager Brian Lohan

Clare captain Tony Kelly and manager Brian Lohan lift the Liam MacCarthy cup in front of cheering fans gathered for the team's homecoming. Picture: Tom Maher/Inpho

An estimated 25,000 Clare fans greeted their hurling heroes at Ennis’ Fairgreen just before 9pm on Monday evening, as the Liam MacCarthy Cup returned to Clare for only the fifth time.

Fans rushed to the road as they saw the All-Ireland winners arrive in an open top bus, and the Fairgreen event in Ennis was the hurlers' third stop since entering the county in the late afternoon.