These are the days.
Kyle Hayes’ words to Colm Parkinson the day after he won the man-of-the-match as a 20-year-old in the All-Ireland senior hurling final were telling.
“I don’t want this feeling to end,” said the Kildimo youngster who was born in 1998.
“I’m absolutely buzzing, it’s hard to put it in to words,” he continued.
He doesn’t have to. These Limerick hurlers have been on the crest of a wave ever since James Owens blew his whistle with the clock about to strike 5.00 on Sunday.
Limerick’s season began on a Sunday afternoon in January at the Gaelic Grounds. There were only 1450 supporters in the stands to see Limerick take on Laois in their National Hurling League opener but you’re only codding yourself if you don’t think this panel’s aim there and then was to be standing on the steps of the Hogan Stand on August 19 with Liam MacCarthy passing through the hands of their 37 panellists.
But the thing is, lots of other counties will have had this aim too. No matter what Tom Morrissey says about this team fully believing they were going to win this year, there’ll always be doubts in lads’ heads up until that moment the fat lady opens her mouth and gives it helter skelter.
Shane Dowling spoke of the doubts.
“It went through everybody’s head (memories of 1994), and even though it has absolutely nothing got to do with anyone, it was such a significant defeat that to eventually put it to bed, thanks be to God,” he said.
John Kiely himself even had a few doubts in those last few moments he described flatly as “horrendous.”
But then they overcame these doubts. Graeme Mulcahy stood up when he was needed and Liam is heading back Shannonside for the first time since 1973.
Men like Aaron Gillane only got two or three hours sleep last night, Seán South was heard belting out in bars all over the country into the early hours.
And now they’re on their way back home.
After visiting the kids in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital earlier today, the men of Limerick are heading home to show off Liam to the supporters that stood by him in bad times and in good.
And by God are they buzzing for that.
Listen to the roar when John Kiely steps off the team bus and heads for the train back home.
Liam is on the way😊 @LimerickCLG team arriving at Heuston station for journey home! @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/MZi840KXF4
— Thomas O'Dwyer (@todwyer1) August 20, 2018
And the boys all kitted out in their slick shirt, pants and shoes rig. These are the days lads.
Heroes of the hour, Gillane and Hayes.
That’s her! All smiles from William O’Donoghue.
Captain fantastic.
Platform Liam MacCarthy.
That train-driver could look at her all day long.
