On Sunday a 45 year wait was ended, and on Monday it was celebrated as the victorious Limerick team brought the Liam McCarthy back to the county. In the run up to the team's arrival at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick hurling legend Richie Bennis revealed his delight at the end of his county's drought, telling RTE that he will be more than happy to pass the guard on to the team of 2018:
I think people are fed up of listening to the '73 set up. So I will officially tonight hand over the mantle of the last team to win an All-Ireland to the 2018 team.
I am delighted, it's a weight off our shoulders.
'We should forget about memories and talk about the present team…they are brilliant ambassadors for hurling' - former Limerick manager and player Richie Bennis ahead of the All-Ireland homecoming pic.twitter.com/OkSDOaUObf
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 20, 2018
According to Gardai reports between 80,000 and 90,000 people turned out to welcome the team home, with the excitement palpable from all of the videos surfacing on social media:
You can't get more Limerick than a huge crowd at the Gaelic Grounds singing along to 'A horse outside' #luimneachabu @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/hRExCCPRs0
— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) August 20, 2018
“We are brothers”
Powerful speech by Cian Lynch @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/ZFq4Ledrur
— Fintan Walsh (@FintanYTWalsh) August 20, 2018
#WATCH: Marty welcomes members of the Limerick team on stage @gaelic_grounds #LuimneachAbú pic.twitter.com/DUDvpJEGRJ
— Limerick Leader (@Limerick_Leader) August 20, 2018
WATCH: Scenes at Gaelic Grounds as All-Ireland winning captain Declan Hannon, manager John Kiely & Liam MacCarthy Cup arrive on stage to soundtrack of Queen's 'We Are the Champions' @Limerick_Leader #GAA #LLSport #LIMvGAL #Limerick pic.twitter.com/sTICYwdQVw
— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) August 20, 2018
