Party time in Kilkenny as All-Ireland winners return

LAST night it was payback. On Sunday in Croke Park, a pair of foot-perfect Kilkenny teams — don’t forget the minors — thrilled their thousands of supporters by completing the precious All-Ireland hurling double.

In the gathering gloom of Kilkenny last night, the fans had a chance to show that when it comes to honouring their own, they too are up with the best. And yes, they succeeded.

Not long before 7pm, the All-Ireland hurling champions alighted from their luxury coaches on the Iarnrod Éireann special from Dublin, to be met by an early indication this could be a record-breaking evening in the Marble City.