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Boxing

17th Dec 2014

Andy Lee reveals hopes for Thomond Park title defence at homecoming

Limerick's finest set for massive reception in city later

Kevin McGillicuddy

Get ready for the biggest Limerick homecoming since Richard Harris brought Peter O’Toole along for a Munster sing-song

Hundreds of people have turned out at a fairly wet and windy Shannon Airport today to welcome home Limerick’s finest on his return from his world title win on Saturday.

The boxer has touched down after his success on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The Limerick native landed just after 12.30pm and the local fire crew put on a special show for the Aer Lingus flight with water cannon over the plane:

One of the first people to great the champ was his mother, Anne Lee.

Andy Lee greets his mother Anne 17/12/2014

Andy clearly wasn’t going to let the wind and rain bother him as he showed off the WBO Middleweight belt for the first time on Irish soil:

https://twitter.com/AineFitzgerald2/status/545201463685697536

Speaking at Shannon Airport Lee’s trainer Adam Booth said that the boxer is now aiming for two titles defences in 2015 before a massive homecoming bout in Limerick, possibly at Thomond Park.

An absolutely huge crowd turned up at the arrivals lounge in Shannon to welcome the boxer home:

Of course like any great Irish sporting hero there’s been a song written about him.

It’s got the Andy Lee seal of approval and we think it should be a late contender for Christmas No 1.

The opening line is genius …

Cover Pic: Liam Aherne