GAA: How Cullyhanna became All-Ireland champions

“It’s the sponsors, the statisticians, the cooks, the kit men,” he said. “Everything has to be done right, from the club to the committee to the underage, so it’s not just a group of players.

“This club is 138 years old and I don’t think anything like this has ever happened, so it’s great to be a part of it. “I see the older generation shed tears when the final whistle blows. That’s great.”

“That’s the power of football and what it can do.”

Passing through the village, it’s impossible not to see evidence of the local residents’ enthusiasm for the club and its commitment to the Championship.

Black, yellow and red signs, banners and flags hang from every lamppost, every window and every car.

Club chairman Jim Sheridan said: “We didn’t have enough stock in the club shop last week so we’ll probably have the Belgian and German flags flying.”

“I think people were buying whatever they could in club colors and it was amazing to see that hoop out in Croke Park.”

Big wins are still the talk of the town at local shops.

“The buzz is incredible,” said Dennis Hoey from behind the hot food counter.

“We’re all really proud of them. My brother-in-law also plays, and so do my cousins.”

Shopper Pauline Donnelly was also filled with pride.

“I’m a fair-weather football fan, but I had four nephews on the team, so it was huge,” she said.

“I heard they’ve been training for 64 weeks, so they’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to this point. They’ve all worked so hard that they missed out on a lot of the festivities. .”

“Yesterday at the club was like New Year’s Eve.”

Ever since the final whistle blew on Sunday, the clubhouse on Tarinnavar Road has been the center of attention.

Sitting above the club’s gym, overlooking the two pristine pitches, club chairman Ciaran McConville said the current facilities were a far cry from those of the past.

He remembers when the club had no pitch and had to borrow one from a local farmer.

“We shared the cows, so we couldn’t rent them out exclusively. Before the game, we had to politely ask them to move to the side. I think I may have left some of my things behind.”

“We built this field in the 1980s, and we built these buildings. To be able to provide these facilities from the ground up is a huge accomplishment.”

Former chairman Frank Lloyd also remembers those more fundamental days and how it took a community effort to build the club into what it is today.

“This is a great building,” he said. “It was mostly self-built, with bricklayers and plasterers helping out, and joiners probably joining in as well.

“I think all we paid for was the plumbing. When you have a good community of people interested in helping, it’s not impossible. And I think last Sunday helped us take it to the next level.” can.”

The idea that everyone has a role is also at the heart of the club’s success.

For Paddy Savage, this meant accepting that his most productive expression would not be on the field.

“I wasn’t much of a footballer. When I was 18, our respected chairman Ciaran McConville said to me before a match: ‘Your future at this club depends on your management skills.’

“And within a few weeks I was on the committee.”

Now he wears several hats – publicist. Statistician. video analyst.

“There’s always more to do. Little things can make a big difference. A little bit of success makes it all worth it.”

Its success was undoubtedly aided by a reversal of the all-too-familiar trend of rural migration.

“We were hit hard by immigration about five years ago and lost around 17 players,” club coach and former Armagh star Ciaran McKeever said.

“Six guys came back to play this year. Obviously without them, I don’t think we would be in this position. That’s very important. When they left, we were struggling. ”

“They were key in getting the players to the goal. There were still three or four players on the road who flew home for the game. We talked about the possibility of them returning home and winning the senior title for Armagh. I could see you asking if you could do it.”

Another important element of the village is the blowing. But how do those who have moved to Kareehanna view this success?

“I’m from Monaghan, Castleblayney,” Teresa Nugent said.

“And I think people often say that if you move somewhere it might be harder to get involved in things, but I think soccer is perfect for that, especially when kids get involved. for.

“That’s how I got involved. We all played together. Two of my sons are also part of the management team here. It’s amazing. It’s a magical moment.”

At the village pharmacy, Emer Geoghegan clenches her teeth in congratulations.

“I’m from Middletown and they beat us earlier this year so I’m happy for them as much as I can be. One of my colleagues is from Crossmaglen and I think she’s celebrating. Do you want it?”

“She didn’t say it, but in her heart she thinks she’s happy enough for them!”

In rural communities, enrollment in local elementary schools is closely monitored as a barometer of future prosperity.

And for St Patrick’s Primary School principal Paul Quinn, the 238 pupils from nursery to Year 7 is a positive sign.

“We spent our Jersey days taking poems and photographs and even recording our own songs,” he said.

“Curryhanna is a club and it’s about more than just football. There’s always something there: wellbeing, gatherings, traditional music, card nights.”

It was an exciting time for P7 pupils Niamh, Senan and Jayden.

“The players often came to school and brought some trophies with them,” Niamh said.

Jayden added, “I hope I can be like that someday.”

Senan was especially proud as his father is the club’s uniform man.

“My dad went to great lengths to clean the jerseys and make sure they were ready,” he said. “It’s unreal. My village won the All-Ireland. What a waste.”

Interestingly, all three said they would rather see another All-Ireland win for Cullyhana than Armagh’s victory.

Older members of the community advise that you should cherish every success.