It was not the song they expected. Willie O'Connor, the Kilkenny hurling captain, faced a mass of excited supporters, cleared his throat and launched into the only song that came to mind, My Lovely Rose from Clare.
There was no confusion in Kilkenny last night, however, about who had won this year's All-Ireland championship. The city centre was a sea of black and amber, as the team which defeated Offaly on Sunday brought the Liam McCarthy Cup through the streets on an open-top bus, arriving in the Market Yard at 7.30 p.m. for a civic reception held by Kilkenny Corporation.
The Mayor, Mr Paul Cuddihy, warmed up a crowd of about 25,000 which was already at fever pitch. Hundreds of years ago, he informed them, someone had tried to ban hurling in Kilkenny, but it hadn't worked. Now they were trying to take away its status as a city, but that wouldn't work either.
Political point-scoring, it appears, is no less an art form in Kilkenny than the variety exhibited with such aplomb in Croke Park.
Mr Ned Quinn, chairman of the GAA County Board, took the mike, introducing the captain - "Willie O'Connorrrr!!!!" - manager Brian Cody, and the rest of the victorious panel.
As the moment of his introduction neared, one player dominated the fans' thoughts. "D.J., D.J., D.J.," they chanted, in homage to superstar Carey.
"Whose on the stamp? D.J.'s on the stamp" declared one banner in reference to Carey's controversial omission from the recently selected team of the millennium, which meant he did not have his picture on a postage stamp.
"Henry 3:7" said another banner, in reference, not to any chapter or verse in the Bible but the scoring exploits of corner forward Henry Shefflin.
Even on a night of celebration, there was a thought spared for the vanquished. "Offaly is a fine hurling county. We know they'll be back and we respect them," Mr Cuddihy said.
However, he added: "While Offaly was known as the faithful county, Kilkenny had the most faithful supporters in Ireland."
The proceedings concluded with a rendition, led by Denis Cody of the song they expected, The Rose of Mooncoin.
Had Willie O'Connor sung The Offaly Rover, however, no one would have minded, as long as he was clutching that cup.
Meanwhile true to their county's name, Offaly supporters remained faithful as they gave a warm welcome home to their defeated team. Arriving by train in Tullamore at 6 p.m. they were driven in an open-top coach through the crowded and flag-bedecked streets to Market Square where several thousand fans waited. There was no air of despondency as team manager Pat Fleury and captain Joe Dooley expressed their appreciation for the wonderful reception. An emotional Dooley assured his listeners that defeat did not mark the end of Offaly hurling and pledged they would be back as serious contenders for honours again next year.
