20 August 2026 |
Customised Tours
The Magic of An All Ireland Hurling Final & Croke Park – Part 2
by Damien Lacey
Stephanie continues sharing her delightful memories of Croke Park and a winning Limerick All Ireland Champions team!
The build up the week before the All Ireland Hurling Final is very exciting. This year, we were thrilled to secure tickets to the final – no easy task, as demand is incredibly high! With our tickets in hand, there was only one destination in mind…
Croke Park, here we come!
Before reaching the biggest day in the hurling calendar, every county must battle through a series of provincial championships and knockout matches. Only the very best two teams earn the right to compete for the prestigious Liam MacCarthy Cup.
The journey of both Limerick and Galway to the final has been filled with dramatic victories, unforgettable moments and plenty of excitement.
Limerick’s journey: League Defeated Cork 1-27 to 1-21 Won National League title
Munster Round 1 Lost to Cork 2-22 to 1-23 Championship setback
Munster Round 2 Beat Clare 2-30 to 1-18 Major response
Munster Round 3 Beat Waterford 2-29 to 2-20 Secured top-three finish
Munster Round 4 Beat Tipperary 5-27 to 0-25 Reached Munster final
Munster Final Beat Cork 1-21 to 2-17 Won Munster title
All-Ireland Semi-Final Beat Clare 1-21 to 1-19 Reached All-Ireland Final
Galway’s Journey: National League Lost to Limerick 2-27 to 0-31 Finished fourth in Division 1A
Leinster Round 1 Beat Kilkenny 3-25 to 1-16 Dream championship start
Leinster Round 2 Beat Offaly 2-26 to 1-18 Late goals secure victory
Leinster Round 3 Beat Kildare 4-22 to 1-22 Dramatic second-half comeback
Leinster Round 4 Lost to Dublin 3-16 to 0-21 Only championship defeat
Leinster Round 5 Beat Wexford 2-31 to 3-20 Came back from 13 points down
Leinster Final Beat Dublin 4-29 to 4-15 Won the Bob O’Keeffe Cup
All-Ireland Semi-Final Beat Cork 2-26 to 1-18 Reached first All-Ireland final since 2018
The excitement begins long before match day. During the week leading up to the final, there are fundraising events, supporter gatherings, gala dinners and endless conversations about who will lift the trophy.
Sports journalists and former players appear on television and radio sharing their predictions. Who will win? Who will be named Man of the Match? Which player could become the hero of the day? Every Irish sports fan has an opinion! We were lucky enough to attend one of the evenings during the week, and it proved to be a fantastic occasion that really built the excitement ahead of the upcoming final.
The evening before the final, thousands tune in to Up for the Match, a much-loved television programme broadcast live from Croke Park. Filled with music, entertainment, special guests and supporters from both counties, it perfectly captures the excitement and anticipation before the biggest game of the year.
Many supporters travel to Dublin the night before, while others set off early on match day.
The alarm goes off early!
We’re on the road by 8:00 am, even though throw-in isn’t until 3:30 pm. Match day is about much more than the 70 minutes of hurling – it’s about enjoying every moment of the occasion.
Many supporters stop for breakfast along the journey, with cafés and restaurants packed full of excited fans dressed in their county colours.
One uniquely Irish tradition is preparing homemade sandwiches and filling flasks with tea or coffee before leaving home. Families and friends often enjoy a picnic from the boot of the car once they arrive in Dublin or at a scenic stop along the way. It’s simple, but it’s all part of the experience.
Once in Dublin, supporters make their way into the city centre. Some drive and park nearby, while many others travel by train, creating a sea of colourful jerseys.
The atmosphere is electric. Everywhere you look you’ll see supporters proudly wearing the colours of Limerick and Galway.
A few hours before throw-in, we settle into a local pub close to Croke Park. The outside is decorated in the colours of both counties, welcoming fans from either side.
Inside, there’s a wonderful atmosphere. Rival supporters chat together, share stories and enjoy a drink before heading to the stadium. While everyone wants their county to win, there’s a huge sense of mutual respect that makes the occasion so special.
As you walk towards Croke Park, every pub is overflowing with supporters. If the Irish weather decides to cooperate, the streets become one giant celebration.
Along the route you’ll find food trucks serving burgers, chips and other favourites, while street vendors sell county flags, hats, scarves and jerseys so everyone can show their colours.
Croke Park Comes Alive
As kick-off approaches, enormous crowds begin streaming through the gates of Croke Park.
Over 82,000 spectators fill the stadium, making it one of the largest sporting events in Europe.
The roar when both teams emerge from the tunnel is simply unforgettable.
Around 30 minutes before the match begins, both teams take to the field to warm up. Each squad has its own half of the pitch to practise, complete final drills and gather together for one last team talk before the biggest game of the season.
The pre-match ceremony is one of the most memorable parts of the day.
The President of Ireland is introduced to both teams, greeting each player, the referees and match officials before wishing everyone well. Afterwards, the players shake hands with one another, a tradition that reflects the respect at the heart of Gaelic Games. Also taking pride of place is the famous Artane Band, a cherished part of All-Ireland Final Day for generations. Founded in the 19th century, the band has become one of the most recognisable traditions of Irish sport.
Just minutes before the match begins, both teams line up behind the Artane Band for the traditional parade around the pitch.
The supporters rise to their feet.
County flags wave proudly.
The cheers grow louder with every step.
Finally, everyone stands together for the playing of Ireland’s national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song).
As the final notes ring around Croke Park, there’s a moment of anticipation.
The players take their positions.
The referee raises the sliotar.
And one of Ireland’s greatest sporting spectacles is about to begin. At the end of 70 minutes, we will know who the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions are!
The teams play 35 minutes each half, with a break of approximately 20 minutes in between. If the sides are level at the end of normal time, extra time will be played, consisting of two 10-minute halves. There must be a winner on the day, so if the teams are still level after extra time, the match will go to a replay. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that—our hearts and heads wouldn’t be able for it!
The game got off to an exciting start. Limerick created a number of early goal-scoring opportunities, but Galway’s goalkeeper produced some outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest. At half-time, the score stood at 13 points to 8 points with Limerick in the lead.
As the teams returned for the second half, the anticipation around the stadium continued to build. Who would be crowned All-Ireland Champions? Limerick began to show their class and experience, and in the 42nd minute they found the back of the net.
The goal lifted the Limerick supporters to their feet and gave the team real momentum. They displayed exceptional skill, determination, and composure throughout the closing stages.
When the referee finally blew the full-time whistle, Limerick were crowned All-Ireland Champions with a final score of 1 goal 29 points to Galway 1 goal 18 points. A win by 11 points.
The joy and emotion that comes with winning an All-Ireland title is something Limerick supporters will never tire of. Back in 2018, the county ended a 45-year wait to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Since then, this remarkable team has given supporters unforgettable memories, winning All-Ireland titles in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2026. Their incredible achievement of winning four consecutive titles cemented their place among the greatest teams in hurling history. Young boys and girls look up to these players, dreaming of one day following in the footsteps of their heroes.
Music echoes around Croke Park as the supporters sing, cheer, and applaud their champions. The team captain walks up the famous steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup, a moment every hurler dreams of from childhood. Holding the trophy aloft, he addresses the crowd, thanking his teammates, management, families, supporters, and everyone who has played a part in the team’s journey.
As celebrations continue, supporters gradually begin to leave the stadium, allowing the players to spend precious moments celebrating with their families and loved ones. Outside Croke Park, the atmosphere is electric as jubilant fans make their way home by car, bus, and train, reliving every key moment of the match. We wish Galway every success in the future, and there is no doubt they will be back competing for All-Ireland honours again.
It is well after midnight by the time we arrive home, but we are still smiling after an unforgettable day. Already, we are making plans to travel to Limerick City on Monday evening to welcome the team home. It is another special occasion, with more than 16,000 supporters lining the streets to celebrate alongside their heroes. It is a night that both young and old will remember for years to come.
Make your Ireland vacation even more unforgettable with a visit to the hallowed ground of Croke Park. Experience the atmosphere, passion and pride of Gaelic games and soak up the unique sporting culture that makes Ireland so special.
Our Best of Ireland tour is the perfect way to experience the very best of the country and we can customise this to include a visit to Croke Park or your favourite county.
