Tribe wrap up party early as work still to do

It was a huge day for Galway hurling on Sunday, a historic day, Kilkenny beaten and, just as significantly, a first Leinster title for Connacht’s lone top-level flag-bearer.

But there were no major celebrations, however, according to captain Fergal Moore, no symbolic parading of the massive Bob O’Keeffe Cup across the Shannon bridge in Athlone, a mandatory stopping-point for so many previous championship-winning Galway teams.

“Indeed we didn’t, we were anxious to get back to Galway. Obviously it was a huge day for us, a proud day and we enjoyed every minute of the hours afterwards but that was that. The Leinster championship is over, it’s Monday, a new day, a new week and a new challenge.”