Kilkenny supporters welcome hurling heroes home

Kilkenny was a sea of black and amber on Monday as the county’s senior hurlers were welcomed back to UPMC Nowlan Park after their All-Ireland final loss to Limerick.

It was the second year running that the counties met in the final but, like 2022, the Treaty County claimed the Liam MacCarthy cup, winning on a scoreline of 0-30 to 2-15.

The festivities began in Kilkenny City early on Monday, with many supporters donning their black and amber as they went about their business in the Marble City.

Pubs, coffee shops and restaurants were packed with hungry hurling supporters all keen to analyse the big events of the match despite their disappointment.

Kilkenny GAA HQ opened its gates to supporters from 4pm with a sea of black and amber trickling in over the resulting hours. Proceedings officially began with a rerun of Sunday’s final, giving fans an opportunity to relive the highs and lows of the Kilkenny performance. 

If moods were in need of a pick-up post-match, fans were in the right place, as a vast array of local talent took the Nowlan Park stage to entertain those in attendance. The Kilkennys and Dunnamaggin native Sean Carroll were among the artists who entertained the crowd.

The event, hosted by local GAA commentator Brendan Hennessy, was becoming more and more vocal as the crowds grew larger. Black and amber flags were becoming more prominent and space within the Ardan de Grás stand was at a premium.

Prior to the team’s arrival in the stadium, the panel went on an open-top bus tour across the city. The journey took the Cats down the Parade, through Rose Inn and John Streets, eventually reaching Nowlan Park.

The tour gave fans and players alike the opportunity to express thanks for their support, with flags waving and live music from local artist Tomas Jackman amongst the highlights.

Following their appearance on Up For The Match on Saturday evening, the Kilkennys and Burnchurch were back on stage singing Kilkenny home as the bus got ever closer.

The team arrived in Nowlan Park at approximately 7.30pm to the excitement of Kilkenny hurling supporters, both young and old. The players received a huge cheer as they were welcomed on to stage by Kilkenny County Board Chairman PJ Kenny, with each member of the team receiving a huge ovation.

Two members of the panel who received plenty of well wishes over the past week were Cillian Buckley and Walter Walsh.

Buckley, tied the knot to partner Niamh in Castle Durrow on Saturday, with a number of the Kilkenny panel present. Teammate, Walter Walsh, marries his partner Vicky this weekend.

As both players walked on to stage on Monday evening, fans cheered on their best wishes, showing appreciation to a pair who have been part of the Kilkenny senior fold for over a decade.