BY CIARAN TIERNEY

Businesses in the city centre might not have made much of an effort to show their colours for the Galway hurlers this week, but the City Council will honour the team with a homecoming reception following their All-Ireland final with Kilkenny on Monday night.

Win or lose, the local authority has organised a civic reception for Anthony Cunningham and his team for the Cathedral car park at 7.30pm, as soon as the team bus makes its way back to the city from Dublin.

Fans of the Tribesmen will, of course, hope that they will be bringing the Liam McCarthy Cup back across the Shannon for the first time in 24 years.

A special platform will be erected at the Nun’s Island end of the car park and fans have been urged to arrive early. There will be parking restrictions both at Mill Street carpark and the Cathedral carpark on Monday to facilitate preparations.

The men in maroon have lost five All-Ireland finals since Conor Hayes lifted the Cup for the second time, amid scenes of jubilation, in Croke Park in 1988. Most of the current players were not even born the last time Galway were champions, and 17 of the 30-man panel were eligible for the U-21 grade this year.

Galway, who are 3/1 outsiders, will have to do it the hard way by beating the reigning All-Ireland champions for the second time in the same year following their shock ten point win over Kilkenny in the Leinster Final nine weeks ago.

Earlier this week, Mayor of Galway Terry O’Flaherty expressed disappointment that so few city businesses had shown their colours in support of the team.

“I would love to see the city showing their support for the hurlers with a huge effort to fly the colours,” she said. “Get out the flags and bunting and show the lads the support they deserve.”

For more this story, see the Galway City Tribune.