"It's like the All-Ireland all over again and one of the greatest nights in the history of Ennis," a jubilant Seamus O'Sullivan said last night. An industrialist and prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr O'Sullivan was responding to the Co Clare town's £15 million windfall after it was declared winner of the Telecom Eireann Information Age competition.
"It was like the last 10 minutes of the All-Ireland with that terrible tension. Now we are the champion town of Ireland in new information technology," another jubilant local declared. It may not be celebrated like the Croke Park win, but the people of Ennis were certain of one thing - the victory will be celebrated.
Garda Kevin Lynch said: "It's going to be a fantastic advantage to the businesses and private individuals. It will generate great interest and will be a way of introducing people to computers - adults and children alike. There has been a lot of talk about the town's entry and there has been a lot of hard work and preparation put in."
Mr Nigel Bridge, who works in the town's West County Hotel, said Ennis had now been launched into a new era. "This town is abuzz with technical people, and tourists to the town say it is very vibrant."
The win would be of benefit not just to the town itself but also to its hinterland, he said.
Meanwhile in Castlebar last night, it was hardly "Up the Banner" they were singing. The Co Mayo town, tipped earlier in the night by some as being the strongest contender, was holding back its disappointment and turning its eyes towards a victory in Sunday's battle with Kerry at Croke Park.
But there was genuine disappointment from the steering committee involved in the Mayo project. They had worked long and hard, 14,000 man-hours to be precise.