Top Cat DJ leads his heroes home

DJ CAREY bounded onto the platform at McDonagh Station in Kilkenny last night beaming with pride and proving to the 35,000 assembled fans that he’s not just the Top Cat but also the Real McCoy.

As the party begins in earnest, there’s already talk of the possibility that the minor and senior hurlers could make it three in a row each next year.

“This is what dreams are made of,” DJ said as his sons Sean and Michael grabbed his legs, anxious not to get lost in the crowds which gathered at the city train station to welcome home the victorious minor and senior teams. Their mum, Christine, followed close by.

Huge crowds gathered at the station, along John Street and up to the Market Yard where local band Up for It entertained the crowds.

Goalkeeper Jamie McGarry hugged his son Darragh at the front of the open-top bus.

The eight-year-old, who goes to school in Thomastown, is an avid player too. “I play in goal too sometimes. But I’m also a forward. I love hurling and like playing anywhere,” he said.

In pubs across the city last night, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best and U2’s Beautiful Day were being played back to back, along with Robbie William’s Rock DJ.

Fans will gather in the city tomorrow night to see their county heroes in action yet again. The throw-in for the annual Goal challenge at Nowlan Park is at 6pm tomorrow. It will feature the captain’s home club, Gowran, versus the rest of the county.

But the homecoming was also tinged with sadness. Former Kilkenny publican and well-known music buff Greg Flannery collapsed after the minor game at Croke Park and later died. He was only in his early 50s. Local vintners and friends paid tribute to him last night and were shocked by his sudden death.