Over 30,000 ecstatic Tipperary fans braved the miserable weather to welcome home the new All-Ireland champions in Semple Stadium last night.

Yesterday's downpour failed to put off the fans who had assembled in the 'Home of Hurling' from early afternoon. After arriving into Thurles by train shortly after 6pm, Liam Sheedy's charges made their way slowly to Semple Stadium where the party began in earnest.

Captain Eoin Kelly and Liam Sheedy jointly held the McCarthy Cup aloft as they appeared on stage to rapturous applause. Each member of the 33-strong panel was then introduced to the crowd by Tipperary PRO Ger Ryan.

Kelly told the supporters that his side had done their talking on the pitch in Croke Park over 24 hours earlier.

"There's nothing much for me to say because I'm sure that you would agree all the talking was done between half-three and five o'clock yesterday," he said.

Dr Dermot Clifford continued the longstanding tradition whereby the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly welcomes home winning Tipperary teams.

"Tipp have won an All-Ireland in every decade, in every century and every millennium since the GAA was founded," he said.

"This was their finest hour and I would like to congratulate the team and management on an excellent achievement." Tweet

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