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 14 September 2004 Irish Independent | |||
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Delirious fans take to streets in honour of the victors
THE Rebel County rolled out the red carpet last night to welcome home Cork's record-breaking All-Ireland winning hurlers.
An estimated 50,000 delirious Cork fans - draped in everything from Cork GAA jerseys to Confederate and Japanese flags - thronged the city centre to roar home Donal O'Grady and his heroic charges after their pulsating 0-17 to 0-9 Croke Park victory over Kilkenny.
As the Liam McCarthy Cup was once again proudly held aloft in the county in which it has resided most often - 28 times before Sunday's victory - even veteran Cork GAA officials admitted the welcome home was something special.
"You're the best fans in the world - and this is your victory too," delighted Cork coach Donal O'Grady told the crowds at 7.30pm after the victory train pulled into Kent Station.
Fans roared until they were hoarse to hail Sunday's heroes, including Diarmuid 'the Rock' O'Sullivan, Sean Og O'hAilpin, Joe Deane, Niall McCarthy, Ben O'Connor and the undoubted giant of the hour, Brian Corcoran.
"It's great to be home - it's fantastic to be in Cork with the Liam McCarthy Cup. For the past two or three years, the fans have given us fierce support. They're the best there is," a clearly moved Ben O'Connor declared.
The enormous crowds at Kent railway station and the Lower Glanmire Road massively delayed the Cork hurlers reaching their open-decked bus - as the South Mall and Lapp's Quay were submerged in a human sea of red-and-white.
Officials at the reception platform on Parnell Place said it appeared as if the entire city had taken to the streets.
Cork GAA jerseys were matched by 'People's Republic of Cork' T-shirts and even Munster rugby shirts - anything was acceptable to wear, as long as it was red. To add to the occasion, famous Cork entertainers such as Sean O'Se and Billa O'Connell delivered special tributes - and the city's unofficial anthem, 'The Langer Song', rang out from Natural Gas to roars of approval.
The reception clearly stunned Ben O'Connor & Co - despite early indications that this wasn't going to be an ordinary homecoming.
"We're a proud hurling county and last year's loss to Kilkenny hurt a lot. That's what makes this victory all the sweeter - and we're not finished yet," fan Pat Kenny cheered.
Others admitted that the history of the occasion provided added spice.
"It was three-in-a-row for Kilkenny but for us it was getting back to the top of the roll of honour. That's why this is so special," Phil Murphy declared as he brought his two sons to Kent Station.
Last night, dignitaries jostled alongside ordinary fans to pay tribute to Cork's 2004 hurlers with the attendance including Health Minister Micheal Martin and Lord Mayor Sean Martin as well as Cork business and cultural leaders.
But while the homecoming may have climaxed with the open-decked bus parade through the city centre, the celebrations never really stopped from Sunday evening.
Yesterday, as the train carrying the team crossed into Cork just north of Charleville, the team were greeted by hundreds of fans waving red-and-white flags.
An estimated 5,000 fans thronged Mallow railway station for the traditional stop-over before the arrival in the city.
It gave the team a hint of things to come. But nothing could prepare them for the delirium of their final arrival back on Leeside.
Today, the triumphant team will be hosted at a special luncheon at Beamish & Crawford before team captain, Ben O'Connor, brings the McCarthy Cup to his native Newtownshandrum - the reigning All-Ireland Club Hurling Champions.
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