Canty looking forward to Cork homecoming

Cork's All-Ireland winning captain Graham Canty is looking forward to arriving in Cork City with the Sam Maguire Cup for tonight's homecoming celebration by the banks of the Lee.

"It's nice to be able to bring home the Sam Maguire Cup after 20 years," said Canty, ahead of the trip home.

"I'm sure that we will have a good night back in Cork and I am hopeful that a lot of people will turn out to see us."

Canty was among a number of panel members, including man-of-the-match Daniel Goulding, defender Noel O'Leary and dual player Eoin Cadogan, who this morning visited Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin with the Sam Maguire Cup in tow.

The Bantry Blues clubman said that the pressure of playing an All-Ireland decider in front of 81,000-plus spectators is nothing compared to the problems some of the kids in the hospital are facing.

"Yesterday was a great day for everyone involved with the Cork panel and it is nice to give something back to these kids," he admitted.

Victorious manager Conor Counihan was also present and was delighted to see the smiles on the children's faces.

"It puts the whole thing in context. The reality is that you come here and you look at people fighting for something far more serious today," he said.

"For us, if we can provide any bit of a lift to these people you walk out of here with a great feeling and a sense of a job well done.

"I hope our success would endeavour us to do more for people who are less fortunate."

Like Canty, Counihan is looking forward to a major party on Leeside tonight, which begins at 6.30pm on the Grand Parade in Cork city.

"We are 20 years waiting for this, and any time you are waiting 20 years you'd expect people to show emotion.

"That's what the GAA is and it is great to be a part of it and we are certainly looking forward to tonight."

From 6.30pm onwards, there will be a festival atmosphere for the homecoming on the Grand Parade as rapper GMC and Red FM DJs prepare the crowd. Michelle Fitzgerald will then sing until the anticipated arrival of the Cork senior and minor footballers at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner has teamed up with Cork City Council to broadcast the All Ireland champions' homecoming live online tonight.

The event in Cork city centre will be streamed around the world on www.irishexaminer.com from about 6.45pm.