Clare fans out in force as team returns

An estimated 5,000 Clare supporters turned out last night in Ennis to welcome home the county's defeated All-Ireland hurling finalists.

The team, led by captain Brian Lohan, received a rapturous welcome when it arrived in Ennis town centre on an open-top bus after being cheered by crowds of supporters along the 13-mile route from Shannon Airport.

Speaking earlier in the evening at a reception at Shannon's Wolfe Tones club after arriving at Shannon Airport, Brian Lohan said the team had been overwhelmed by the support they had received. Team manager Cyril Lyons told the estimated 1,000 supporters at the Shannon club grounds:

"Leaving on Sunday morning it was our ambition that when we landed in Shannon the first person off the plane would be Brian with the McCarthy Cup.

"It hasn't a success this year but we know that the ambition still remains and we know that we will have your support in time to achieve it next year."

Wolfe Tones club chairman, Mr John Tierney, said that welcoming home a beaten All-Ireland team is a new feeling.

"They came back with the Liam McCarthy in 1995 and 1997. This is all new and is something we do not want to get used to either. The crowd has turned out and it goes to show that everyone knows that they gave it their best.

"We are all very disappointed for them. Kilkenny had a lot of luck with them on Sunday and no team in the country could have beaten them. Our lads gave it their best and it wasn't good enough on the day."

He added: "Proud doesn't sum it up how we feel about the players. We are thrilled to bits with their performances all season."

Looking ahead to next year, Mr Tierney said: "Some people were saying that this was the last hurrah for this team. I don't think so - the oldest player in the team is 31 and there are a lot of very good young hurlers on the team."