Down but not out, that was the defiant message from Kilkenny last night when an estimated 10,000 cheering and flag-waving supporters welcomed home their conquered heroes after Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final.
The Cats were beaten in the senior and minor finals, and the fearless handballer, Michael Ducksie Walsh, was beaten in the senior singles final after 13 straight victories.
"We will be back, have no fear of that," the county board chairman, Mr John Healy, insisted when he addressed the throng. And a-close-to-tears manager of the senior team, Mr Kevin Fennelly, said the welcome-home was already an inspiration to the team for the 1999 championship.
"We expected a good welcome, but this is unbelievable," Mr Fennelly enthused. "The rest of the country had better watch out because we are going to answer our people and take the challenge to everybody next year."
The team travelled home by executive train and it took more than an hour for the open-top double-deck bus to make its way through the crowded streets on what would normally be a 10-minute journey.