45,000 fans turn out in Tipperary to welcome All Ireland Hurling Champions home

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Eoin Kelly, Tipperary skipper hold the Liam McCarthy Cup aloft at Semple Stadium

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The Tipperary team was given a hero's welcome on Monday as 45,000 turned out to Semple Stadium to celebrate the 2010 All Ireland Hurling Champions.

This is the 26th All Ireland Hurling title the Premier County has won. They were Sunday's victors with a score of 4-17 to 1-18 over Kilkenny at Croke Park, Dublin.

On Monday they brought the Liam McCarthy Cup to Our Ladies Children's Hospital before travelling by train to Thurles. An open top bus brought them through the streets of Tipperary to their official reception at Semple Stadium.

The team captain, Eoin Kelly, the Tipperary panel, management and officials were joined by their family to celebrate with local bands and 45,000 fans.

Kelly and the team manager, Liam Sheedy, held the Liam McCarthy Cup aloft as the crowd cheered in approval. This is the first time since 2001 that the team has brought home the cup.

Tipperary PRO, Ger Ryan, introduced each of the 33 players to the crowd. He saved a special mention for team captain, Kelly.
He said "No words of mine could do justice to describing the next man.

"He is a player of extraordinary skill - a great leader, great player, great Tipp man, great captain and a great Mullinahone man - Eoin Kelly."

Kelly gave a short speech saying "There's nothing much for me to say because I'm sure that you would agree all the talking was done between half three and five o'clock yesterday."

GAA Chairman for Tipperary, Barry O'Brien welcomed the team home saying "Ladies and gentleman I stand here proudly this evening as the Tipperary Chairman to welcome home the victorious Tipperary squad.

"This is the proudest moment in the history of Tipperary hurling for a long number of years. When we went to Croke Park yesterday no one believed we could do it.

"We delivered strength, power, ability and courage and we delivered on our promise."

Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Dermot Clifford said "Tipp have won an All-Ireland in every decade in every century and every millennium since the GAA was founded.

"This was their finest hour and I would like to congratulate the panel and management on an excellent achievement."
The team manager, Liam Sheedy said "This was a huge victory for this very proud county.

"I'm absolutely thrilled for the supporters not just the ones that turned out tonight, but those that turned out 365 days ago and we looked into each of the stands and we sought inspiration.

"I'm just so proud to have facilitated that opportunity (to win the All-Ireland) over the last 12 months."
 

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