The only thing the crowd were more excited to see than the players was the Liam MacCarthy Cup back in their hands once more

IT WAS yet another night of celebration and song in Limerick Racecourse, as the All-Ireland winning hurlers brought their trophies to captain Cian Lynch’s home club.

Thousands gathered on the stands to welcome home the senior team, including three players from Patrickswell, as well as four hurlers from the club on the minor panel.

Patrickswell club men Cian Lynch, Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane were hosted alongside their Limerick teammates in Limerick Racecourse as the club’s GAA field is currently under development.

The only thing the crowd were more excited to see than the players was the Liam MacCarthy Cup back in their hands once more.

Alongside musical guest Madra Rua, who kept the crowd entertained as they excitedly awaited the hurlers, there were performances from Kyle Hayes and manager John Kiely.

As is tradition at this stage, they sang King of the Road and Piano Man, respectively.

“We have champion hurlers but we have champion singers too,” John Kiely said, joking to the minor hurlers on the stage: “Oi boys, if you want to graduate to the big time you’ve gotta be able to sing songs! Don’t worry about your first touch, once you can sing, you’re flying it!”

He continued by encouraging everyone in the crowd to get involved: “You need to get behind your club, you need to get involved, you need to get down to that field, you need to get a hurley and a sliothar in your hand.”

“Please, we need you,” he added. “There are hundreds of kids here, get them down to the field.”

Captain Cian Lynch told the crowd: “What ye mean to us lads - we go out and play but you’re the driving force behind this team, so to each and every one of ye, thanks a million for being here this evening!”

After dancing along to Dreams and Maniac 2000, the crowds flocked to the barriers for autographs and selfies with their favourite players, who were more than happy to oblige.