PHOTOS Limerick hurlers receive a hero’s welcome after historic All-Ireland win

Limerick hurling heroes welcomed home in Limerick City. Limerick city and county welcomed home its four-in-a-row heroes on Monday night as Pery Square played host to a homecoming event that saw over 20,000 people line the streets to celebrate Sunday’s win over Kilkenny. Pic Brian Arthur.

Limerick hurling heroes were welcomed home by thousands after securing their fourth consecutive All-Ireland championship title

Thousands of passionate fans gathered to celebrate the historic achievement of their beloved team following their 0-30 to 2-15 win over Kilkenny crowning them 2023 All-Ireland Hurling champions.

A sea of green and white welcomed the champions home as the players and management team made their way to Pery Square where musicians entertained the crowds awaiting the team’s arrival.

Cian Lynch, who raised the Liam McCarthy Cup with teammate Declan Hannon on Sunday evening told I Love Limerick, “Words can’t describe how we feel, every one of us. Coming back to your home city, your home county seeing the people, what it means to the people, our families, and for Limerick people far and wide, not just the people here but across the world.

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“The messages of support we get throughout the year is unreal, and we’re just blessed that we have the people of Limerick behind us.

Lynch captained the side on Sunday in the absence of Declan Hannon who missed out due to injury. The Patrickswell man noted it was a poignant moment as he was in Hannon’s position the previous year and was happy to share the moment with his teammate:

“It’s something you dream of as a kid, last year I was on the opposite end of it with Declan. I was injured and I got to lift it, to collect it yesterday with Declan as him being on the opposite side of it. It’s unreal, it’s dream stuff.

“I was pinching myself going to bed last night, I was saying ‘Did that actually happen’. But to be part of such a wonderful group, such an honest group of lads, I know I said it in my speech, but we’re a family and that’s what makes it so special.”

Limerick manager, John Kiely was experiencing a mixture of emotions on the day, telling Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick, “Tired is probably the one thing I’m feeling, but at the same time just relieved and overjoyed.”

Speaking about the achievement of winning four consecutive championships, Kiely said he was “very happy for the lads”, saying, “It’s an incredible achievement for them, to win four in a row is off the charts.”

The Limerick manager spoke about having a “challenging year” having “overcome all the obstacles that come in our way” noting “there’s great pride in that as well”.

“I’m very happy for the people of Limerick, they’ve never felt so proud, and that’s a great gift the team has given the people of Limerick. I think they have a greater sense of their own place in the world.”

When told he has cemented his place as a legend in Limerick, Kiely, as humble as ever, quickly pointed to the rest of his backroom team:

“I’m going to smash that bubble fairly quickly now. I’m lucky to be the manager, I’m out front I suppose, I do all the front-of-house stuff, but there’s a team of experts behind me that are extraordinary at what they do.”

Celebrations carried on into the evening as the streets of the city were alive with music and people enjoying the win. This fourth consecutive All-Ireland victory cemented the Limerick hurling team’s legacy in the sport’s history and solidified their status as one of the greatest teams of all time.

Find out more here.
Read the match report here.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Pictures: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick