There was wild excitement in Rathdowney this afternoon as the Cul Camp season got underway with some very special guests.
The boys and girls were treated to some very special guests as members of the Laois hurling team turned up with the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Laois captain and Rathdowney-Errill player Paddy Purcell led the way as he emerged from the dressing rooms in Rathdowney with the cup aloft to be greeted by excited screams from the kids.
His clubmates Ross King, Eric Killeen and Mark Kavanagh were also in attendance along with Abbeyleix’s Enda Rowland.
They were instantly mobbed as the children looked for autographs and the lads graciously obliged.
Laois Games Development Officer Andrew Kavanagh, brother of sharpshooter Mark, was also present as all of them posed for a series of photos.
Laois claimed the Joe McDonagh Cup on Sunday as they defeated Westmeath by 3-26 to 1-21 in Croke Park.
They will now face Dublin in an All-Ireland Preliminary Round Qualifier in O’Moore Park on Sunday at 4.15pm.
Our photographer Julie Anne Miller was in Rathdowney today where she captured these brilliant pictures.
Check them out below:
