The homecoming for their victorious All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship team is a night that Galway fans will never forget.
After a 57 year wait, Galway defeat Limerick in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship team against Limerick at Croke Park. The homecoming for the victorious team is almost without precedent and is a night that elated Galway enthusiasts will never forget.
The Galway team’s triumphal journey home from Dublin becomes a 130 mile celebration as more than 60,000 fanatical supporters turn out to great them. During the afternoon the team receive enthusiastic displays of support throughout the midlands and a huge crowd greet them in Ballinasloe. This show of support means the five mile motorcade does not reach Galway City until 1am, three hours later than planned.
When the coach carrying the team reaches Eyre Square it takes almost an hour to get captain Joe Connolly and his men off the bus and onto the platform. At times the platform is dangerously close to being swept away by the almost uncontrollable crowed, estimated at over 20,000.
Bishop of Galway Eamonn Casey and the Mayor of Galway councillor Bridie O’Flaherty appeal for calm and a semblance of order is restored. The Liam McCarthy Cup is held aloft to an ear splitting roar from the fans. Joe Connolly thanks the county’s supporters and says
Now that Galway had the McCarthy cup they had no intention of parting with it.
There is a presentation of an illuminated address of welcome and further tributes to the Galway team. The celebrations continue until 6:00 am.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 September 1980. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
