Celebrations are under way in Limerick city centre to mark the homecoming of the victorious Limerick hurling team - 2023 All-Ireland champions for the fourth year in a row.
Thousands of jubilant Limerick supporters took to the streets to join the winning team, along with members of the team management, at Pery Square this evening where a list of live acts and music entertained the crowds in advance of the team's appearance.
Limerick City Council and Limerick GAA had asked supporters to join the family friendly event, which began at 6pm.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Messages of congratulations have poured in from across the world on social media to members of the team on their historic achievement.
Mayor of Limerick, Councillor Gerald Mitchell, said: "I've heard it said that you haven’t won an All-Ireland until you beat Kilkenny in the final.
"Now we have back-to-back wins over the Cats.
"This was stunning victory by an amazing team of young men. John Kiely, the players and all the backroom staff are mighty heroes who have given an almighty lift to all in Limerick again this year."
GAA County board Chair Seamus McNamara said: "We are beyond delighted to have equalled the record of four championship wins in a row.
"It is a mark of the character, strength and dedication of this side led by John Kiely.
"The competition throughout the championships this year was fierce and that makes this victory even more satisfying. We are truly in a golden age of hurling in Limerick."
'Spring in everybody's step'
The master of ceremonies for the homecoming celebrations has said there is a "spring in everybody's step" in Limerick.
Speaking to RTÉ's News At One, Liam Ahern said that during the Covid-19 pandemic people did not have a proper chance to celebrate All-Ireland wins in any real style but things have changed a lot since then.
"Last year there was three in a row," Mr Ahern said.
"There was a huge crowd in the Gaelic Grounds for the homecoming and they're expecting a massive crowd this afternoon in Pery Square."
Mr Ahern said around 15,000 tickets have been sold already, with only a limited amount left.
"The homecoming last year was at the Gaelic Grounds and there was plenty of capacity there, but because it's in a city centre location organisers have had to limit it, so as a result it's a ticket only event," he added.
"There was a time here in Limerick, if we won four matches in a row we would nearly organise a homecoming, not to mind four All-Ireland's."
