WATCH: Declan Hannon delivers stirring acceptance speech in the wake of Limerick’s All-Ireland triumph

For the second time in three years, Declan Hannon’s voice bellowed around Croke Park as John Kiely’s charges stormed to another All-Ireland title in Croke Park yesterday.

While there were tears of joy around Croke Park in August 2019, there was a hugely different feel in GAA headquarters yesterday as the Adare man accepted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in front of an almost empty Croker.

Nonetheless, Hannon’s acceptnce speech was, like his sides perfromance, different class.

His long list of thank yous extended from the players, to management, to backroom staff to medical officers and so on.

However, Hannon also paid tribute to the work of those on the frontline as he praised their efforts in what has been a difficult year.

“I want to mention the frontline staff, who have worked so tirelessly throughout this pandemic. The respect that we have for you all in going out there each day and keeping us safe is absolutely fantastic. It doesn’t go unnoticed by us so thank you very, very much.

“2020 has been an incredibly tough year. Businesses have been closed, people have lost their jobs, I know a lot of loved ones have passed away this year who would really, really love to be here. To those families, we think of ye every single day. Ye inspire us. We wish you were here. But no doubt they’re all looking down from heaven on us today, smiling their way down.”

Listen in full below with Hannon promising a proper homecoming when the time is safe to do so.

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