Galway Advertiser 1980/1980_09_11/GA_11091980_E1_001.pdf 

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"Galway hit harder than hurricane Flora" on Sunday when the Corrib County senior hurlers became the All Ireland champions after a wait of 57 years. Their winning margin over Limerick was only three points but it was sufficient to spark off one of the greatest shows of emotion and cause for celebration since the historic visit of Pope John Paul I I to Ballybrit in September last year. Almost, 65,000 fans turned put in Croke Park on Sunday to see this brilliant display of the ancient art of hurling where the Tribesmen chalked up their second victory over their Shannonside opponents to take the much coveted McCarthy Cup to Galway. And to commemorate this historic event which lifted the blanket of depression which shrouded the Corrib hurlers w^ien they lost their golden chance of an All Ireland last year, Galway decided to celebrate the team's homecoming in style on Monday night. village in Galway County From Athlone to Galway came alive with music, bonfires blazed. From early laughter and overspilling evening every town and jubiliation in joyous scenes w h i c h had n o t b e e n witnessed on such a scale since the halycon days of 1923. Crowds began to gather along the Dublin/Galway road from 7 p.m. to ensure that when the cavalcade of buses, containing the team, their wives, girlfriends, and officials, would eventually wind its way westward, they would be welcomed with a heart and a half. Eyre Square was alive and throbbing since early evening as local songsters "The Cronin Family", "The Conquerors" and "Search for the Stars" winner Vinnie Mongan

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exercised their vocal chords in preparation for this never to be matched jamboree of song, dance and celebration. Avid fans and proud countymen filed through Shop Street like armies of the night supressing brimming excitement which led them to embrace each passing stranger in a gesture of goodwill. The City was bedecked in maroon and white. From the top of the Bank of Ireland in Eyre Square hung a huge flag, blowing in the wind. Every mother's son wore a flag, rosette, or maroon and white cap. Cuddly teddybears were all dressed up and clumsily clutching little hurleys. Well illustrated banners were being hoisted five hours before the team's return and one in particular caught my eye begging John Connolly to rethink his decision to quit. "Don't go J o h n , wait f o r three in a row", it read. 20,000 P E O P L E On the stage "The Conquerors" encouraged the well wishers to shake a leg and sway to "Galway Boys Hurrah" as spot lights focused on the crowd, illuminating those eager, joyous faces rising from a sea of maroon and white. The queues of supporters stretched along Eyre Square, spiffing on to Prospect H3L E y i r Street and Shop Street. One onlooker rccafcd coming face to face with 700 people in one particular pub. Every few miiMHrs aB eyes would lift upwards as fireworks went off, momentarily lighting the night sky.

GALWAY S CHAMPIONS -- For the first time since 1923 these men, with their county behind them, brought the McCarthy Cup home to the West after a thrilling final against gallant Limerick on Sunday. Back row (left to right): C. Hayes, S. Mahon, John Connolly, M. Connolly, M. Coneety, F. Burke, N. Lane, S. SMke. Front row: N. Mclnemey, S. Coery J. Cooney, Joe Connolly (captain), S. Linnane, P. J. Mottoy,B. Forde.