No rest for the champs.
Galway’s Class of 2017 hurlers have been ripping it up ever since they defeated Waterford to clinch the All-Ireland on Sunday afternoon.
The Galway lads partied late into the night/morning at City West and both Pádraic Mannion and Jonny Glynn were looking bleary-eyed when they spoke with The GAA Hour’s Colm Parkinson at the team hotel on Monday morning.
From there, the champs boarded a bus and headed west, taking the Liam MacCarthy Cup back across the Shannon for the first time in 29 years. Massive homecomings were staged in Ballinasloe and Galway itself as crowds turned out in huge numbers.
Another big night ensued and, judging by some Snapchats and Instagram stories we’ve seen, both Tuesday and Wednesday were eventful too. However, the lack of sleep did not deter the lads from lacing up their boots and taking part in an exhibition match at Kenny Park, Athenry last night.
Micheál Donoghue’s men took on a selection of stars from Galway’s hurling past – including a host of players from the county’s golden 1980s period – and all proceeds were going to the family of Tony Keady, who unfortunately passed away last month.
Among those taking part in the game were Joe Cooney and Gerry McInerney, lining up to take on their sons, Joseph and Gearoid, who were on the Croke Park pitch when the Déise were defeated on Sunday. The legends team were also boosted with some former Offaly and Clare stars too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYwW3pSHVj5/?taken-by=gmc_inerney
According to journalist John Fallon, the 1980s team let the young pups have it.
‘Referee Christy Browne decided to stop counting after an early flurry of goals from the 1980s team,’ Fallon reports, ‘but a replay has not been ruled out.’
The older guard showing the upstarts how it is done.
Scoreboards aside, the night was a huge credit to all involved. Some 7,000 fans were in attendance – including the Southern Kings rugby club – and there was a wonderful reception for Keady’s widow, Margaret, and the couple’s four children.
Fantastic scenes in Athenry and some hurling lessons doled out, from one generation to the next.
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