Tipperary All-Ireland heroes have ‘best fans in Ireland' as estimated 30,000 join homecoming
'Yesterday was a truly historic day in Croke Park, and we want to make this a truly memorable night in Thurles,' said Jonathan Cullen, of the Tipperary County Board. Tipperary had suffered, but all that pain was left behind on Sunday.
'Tipp! Tipp! Tipp! Tipp!' The crowds erupted as they waited with expectation for their favourite players.
Chairperson of the Tipperary GAA County Board Jimmy Minogue said the spirit of Tipperary is alive and well. 'We've waited six years too long, but the party is going to start now.'
Sponsor Fiserv's Lara Byrne said: 'Wow, what a homecoming. Tipperary you are incredible. The best fans in Ireland. It is a huge honour to be here today, with this incredible history making team. A team that have just thrived on Ireland's greatest sporting stage.
'Tipperary is a sponsor's dream. What a day, what a second half. They re-wrote the script with an incredible show of skill.'
Tipperary's fans are the heartbeat of the county's GAA, he added. 'Your pride and your passion drove this team forward.'
The Tipperary team and players will teach you everything you need to know about teamwork, commitment and hard work, said Mr Byrne. 'We are in awe. You thrilled the entire country and you brought immense pride to this, the Premier County. We are unbelievably proud, and you have made history. From all of us at Fiserv, Up Tipp.'
Tipperary supporter Gavin Murphy during the homecoming celebrations of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Carroll, said they overcame Cork in emphatic fashion.
"To our manager Liam Cahill, your vision, resilience and belief, have brought us to the summit once again. From the first whistle to the last, you showed hunger to bring glory back to Tipperary.'
Yvonne Meehan, her children Hanna and Aoife, and husband Donal, made the journey from Borrisoleigh. 'Loving it,' said Yvonne 'We were at the match yesterday so it's fabulous.'
'It's so great to be able to see all the crowds here. We are delighted to be sitting and not getting wet either,' Yvonne said. The match was 'fabulous'. 'It was such a buzz. They all got together and they were a real team.'
The Meehan family made the journey from their home in Borrisoleigh
Darragh McCarthy and Oisin O'Donoghue are Hanna's favourite players. 'Darragh is really good for the points and Oisin is great for the goals.'
As the build-up to the arrival of the team began earlier in the evening, Fran Curry of Tipp FM was whipping up the crowds: 'It's a sea of blue and gold out there. There are two fellas called the Two Johnnies out there. Give a special welcome to Una Healy from her home town.'
Playing the guitar, singer songwriter Una's set went down a treat with the crowds, kicking off with an old favourite, This is the Life by Amy McDonald. Una's last tune was Guns N' Roses ballad, Sweet Child O' Mine .
Oasis tribute band Acquiesce were on the main stage as the crowds were getting soaked with rain. Typical Irish weather – the umbrellas were out but the rain did not dampen this party. Read more
Queues had formed at the front gates from 4pm with Tipperary band Seskin Lane coming on stage to perform first at 4.40pm.
Seskin Lane bass guitarist and band member Shelly Martin is the granddaughter of Paddy Kenny, who won four hurling All-Ireland finals with Tipperary. Paddy lived in Thurles, on Croke Street.
Fans and families continued to gather around the main stage, as Tipperary trad band Cailíní Nua took to the stage at 5.20pm – one of the quartet is 2024 Tipperary Rose Tara Brady. The atmosphere was electric and the craic was ninety. Sport at its finest in an ecstatic Premier County.
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