*Shane O’Donnell lifts the Liam MacCarthy. Photograph: Tom Micks
A CIVIC reception is on the cards for the All-Ireland winning Clare hurlers, the Mayor of Clare has said while plans are in place to fundraise for a team holiday.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, the first sitting since Clare were crowned All-Ireland SHC champions for the fourth time, the success was lauded by the county’s first citizen who himself gave a rousing rendition of Christy Moore’s ‘Lisdoonvarna’ at the victory homecoming in Ennis.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) noted, “it has been a busy few weeks since our last meeting, we’ve had the All-Ireland win and I’d like to compliment Brian Lohan, the players, the management and the backroom team, the joy they have brought to the county no doctor could prescribe what they have done”.
“We will definitely be honouring them with a civic reception before Christmas,” he said. They will become the first side since the Ger Loughnane managed team of 1995 and 1997 to be bestowed with such an honour as the 2013 champions did not receive a civic reception from the County Council.
All-Ireland winning captain, Tony Kelly was landed with a surprise on Wednesday when Maureen Keane of the Clare Family Resource Centre presented him with a gift certificate of free childcare for life in recognition of his contributions.
