Davy Fitz and the Byrne family from Cleariestown. Pic: Nicola Reddy.

YOUNG AND old shone purple and gold as a wave of colour engulfed Wexford Park on Saturday night last and the sounds of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Glory Days’ rang out to the delight of those who had barely dared to dream.

From the ashes of a heavy defeat to Dublin in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship last year had risen a force soaring in confidence and ready to take on the might of any serious contender.

Anticipation had built in the weeks prior, with local writer Jack Matthews among those to capture the spirit of the scramble for tickets which had seen over a thousand fans queue for their chance to see the Davy Fitzgerald-managed county team in action against traditional giant-killers Kilkenny.

As he wrote: ‘When the gates they finally opened, the hope of tickets were given a spark.

‘I heard even Martin Storey was stuck in the battle at Corish Park.’

‘The purple wave it’s rising, Chin and Conor Mac they’ll find hard to mark.

‘In a date with destiny, a shot at glory and a battle at Corish Park.’

For the 18,467 fortunate hurling fans who successfully secured tickets, the battle which they witnessed play out on the pitch of Wexford Park is sure to live long in the memory.

Read more in the Wexford Echo.