Relief for Moneygall but it was 33 years’ worth the wait

By Liam Hogan

Tears of relief very much in evidence as the Moneygall supporters, young and old, gathered around County Board Chairperson Jimmy Minogue as he presented the Michael Maher Cup to their jubilant captain Paddy Fogarty.

In his speech, Fogarty began with a lengthy few words in Irish. Changing to English, he praised the backroom team of Willie Greene, his selector Donal Doughan, and first year coach Dan Hackett from Kiladangan.

The captain also praised strength & conditioning coach Kevin Quinlan, and concluded with a special word for Mike Sullivan who has been in charge of equipment and always on duty for so many years. Sullivan is now joined by Michael Dwyer in the role.

The winning captain wore number thirteen, just like Pat Sheedy did in 1975 when they won their first of two county senior titles, and Paddy Fogarty agreed that the number 13 was a lucky when it came to leading Moneygall teams to victory.

“I must mention that to him,” said a beaming Fogarty.

“I have great time for Pat Sheedy. He has been a great stalwart with this club. Look I was just happy to fulfil the role as captain,” said the new winning captain who showed the scars of battle while also scoring Moneygall’s second goal which proved so vital in the end.

“You do what’s put in front of you,” he added.

“You can’t think of what is going to happen. I was delighted to get on the ball. I missed one earlier in the first half,” said the right cone forward who had to rush off for a team photo with the silverware.

Greene shoots

“Relief is the over-riding motion,” was the initial reply when Moneygall manager Willie Greene was asked about seeing his team just scrape home against Ballingarry.

“We were very comfortable for long spells off the second half where we ten points up at one stage,” he continued.

“They got a couple of soft scores which let them back into the game. But credit to the boys. They dug deep. Some people have questioned their mentality in the past. There is no end to them. You see the block (Adam Hogan on Simon Blackmore) at the end to turn over the last ball. We are absolutely delighted. This is some win for the club.”

The breeze was a major factor in the game and one wondered if Moneygall, who had the backing of it in the first half, had done enough as they led by just two points at the changeover.

“We fought very hard in the first half to go in ahead at half time,” Greene added.

“We spoke inside in the dressing room about the first fifteen minutes of the second half. We moved on and the third quarter was massive for us. The breeze held up the ball for the boys inside where we had to win a lot of fifty-fifty ball.

“Look we have to give credit to our backs as well. They did give away a couple of goals but some of the blocks and hooks were unreal.”

Midfielder Aodhan Ryan agreed that the fitness of the team was very much in evidence as demonstrated by his midfield partner Adam Hogan and that last minute block.

“Kevin Quinlan (S&C) and the boys put in savage work with us all year. We put in a hard two months pre-season to get us in the condition we are in today to get this far,” he said.