The streak of light is a sliothar (ball in Hurling) on fire, hurled by Sean Óg O hAilpín, Cork and All Star winner still with his hurley on fire, hit a “goal” as he struck the target to alight the The Awakening and the Fireworks during the Capital of Culture Opening Day.

Actually they tell us that he had the honour of killing that serpent by firing a flaming sliothar at it and exploding it .... I must have a pint with the fellow you made this up ... he ehee