Hurling heroes return to rapturous welcome

"These lads brought everything back bar the Cup, and to me they are the All-Ireland champions here tonight" declared Offaly County Board Chairman, Michael Duignan, to rapturous applause in O'Connor Park this evening (Monday) at the homecoming for the Offaly Minor hurling team who were defeated by Tipperary in the most heartbreaking of circumstances in Kilkenny's Nowlan Park yesterday afternoon.

Referring to the "fantastic bunch of young men" who were listening intently to every word from their seats in the stand at O'Connor Park, Michael Duignan congratulated Tipperary on their victory, but did not gloss over what he described as "a very poor decision" at the end of yesterday's game which had changed the course of play and saw Tipperary snatch a last-gasp goal to claim victory by a single point.

“We have to acknowledge that that decision - and we're all human, we all make mistakes - that went against them” he said, adding that his remarks should not be interpreted as "sour grapes" as Offaly is "sporting in victory and defeat and always have been."

Before a sea of green, white and gold on the O'Connor Park pitch which was made up of young and old alike, the Chairman of the County Board praised the "style of play, work rate, fitness levels, flair and skill" of the young hurlers and said they shared these traits with the Under 20 footballers who brought All-Ireland honours back to Offaly last year.

"Offaly hurling has been down for a number of years now, but it won't be long coming back with these lads leading the charge" said Mr Duignan to sustained applause and loud cheers of 'Up Offaly' from the huge crowds who gathered from all corners of the county to show their appreciation for the young hurlers who had left no stone unturned in their efforts to bring hurling silverware back to their home county once more.

Team Manager, Leo O'Connor paid tribute to each and every member of the panel and told the parents of the young team that they should be "incredibly proud" of the job they had done in raising such fine young men.

See more in this week's Offaly Independent print edition, out Friday.