*Photograph: Eamon Ward
THOUSANDS of Clare supporters flocked into the Fair Green on Monday evening to welcome home their hurling heroes, the recently crowned All-Ireland champions.
An official attendance in excess of 36,000 attended the marquee event of the homecoming organised by Clare County Council, at the Fair Green as Tim Smythe Park once again laid home to All-Ireland hurling champions. The guests of honour arrived at 20:51 on a double decker bus and the homecoming event continued until 21:45, not even the brief period where the rain was flowing could dampen spirits in Ennis.
Marty Morrissey was MC on the evening with all members of the Clare panel introduced to the crowd, some of them namely Adam Hogan, Eibhear Quilligan and Aron Shanagher on more than one occasion.
Among the All-Ireland winners to speak from the stage were captain Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald, Ryan Taylor, David Reidy, Brendan Bugler and Brian Lohan.
They spoke of their delight at seeing such crowds in the county town to once again come out and show their support for Clare’s hurlers.
An impassioned speech was made by the Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) while Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) gave a rendition of ‘Lisdoonvarna’ in the musical entertainment prior to the arrival of the panel and management. The Tulla Pipe Band were on hand as the team arrived.
Shannon was the first official stop for Clare’s panel and management on Monday evening. The grounds of Wolfe Tones na Sionna is home to the manager Brian Lohan and panel members Rory Hayes, Aron Shanagher and Darragh Lohan plus Dermot O’Donnell who is part of the backroom team. ‘Home of the Lohan’ was the sign erected behind where the players stood as the crowds welcomed them with open arms. Indeed, the manager was raised shoulder high once inside The Goal Post Bar.
Clarecastle welcomed the champions next, the fishing village has been a permanent fixture when it comes to the routes of All-Ireland homecomings in the county and 2024 was no different. The Magpies were represented on the squad by Cian Galvin and Cian Broderick with Ken Ralph serving as selector for the past five seasons.
More coverage of the celebrations to follow in a special edition of The Clare Echo this week and online.
All-Ireland hurling champions Clare get the party started. Thousands gathered at the Fair Green in Ennis for the homecoming. #GAA pic.twitter.com/BniaTjd86S
— The Clare Echo (@ClareEcho) July 22, 2024
