Glenswilly celebrate at Foxhall.
Shay Farrell claimed he wasn’t quite sure who the man behind him was as he addressed the masses gathered in Glenswilly GAA Hall.
“Some fella by the name of Mick Murphy. I think he has a son playing for the under 10s,” said the adopted Glenswilly man via Dublin circa 1984 with a hint of sarcasm.
Enter a Mayo man by that very name who just happens to be Glenswilly chairman.
Someone else mentioned his young fella plays a bit of football as well.
Mick Murphy leaned on the podium clearly overwhelmed by the occasion and the folk of Glenswilly who had come to thank their heroes.
Bonner, Ward, Kelly, Gallagher, Gibbons and the rest. Names with their roots in the soil of the Glen.
Labourers, farmers, carpenters, plasterers, teachers. People of the community.
There was an air of expectancy out Foxhall way all week.
Not an entitled air because names such as Murphy, Gallagher and McFadden were in the panel.
An air of entitlement that Glenswilly had every much as right as St Eunans, Gaoth Dobhair, Dungloe, Ardara or Kilcar to take home Dr Maguire.
Had they not toiled all year since January when frost was on the ground and the darkness had arrived not long after children had left the local primary school a few hundred yards away?
Because that is indeed the magic of the championship.
Gallant Malin may have thought after their stunning quarter final display that their name was on the cup.
Nobody gave Naomh Chonaill much of a chance when they did it for the first time with Gildea and McGuinness against Eunans.
Last night belonged to the people of Glenswilly.
That they had it two seasons ago for the first time is a bonus.
But in a strange and slightly twisted way, it was even more magical second time around.
It was as if to say the first time wasn’t a fluke.
It was as if to show other communities what can be done by hard work and belief.
And in Glenswilly they believe.
Manager Gary McDaid talked percentages and drills and backroom teams.
Yes, he was probably going to have a few pints in McClaffertys but the planning has already started for 2014.
“I know there is another championship in this team,” he told the packed hall.
It was left to a man from Monaghan to sing the Hills of Glenswilly.
He may not have the X Factor but teak tough vet Eamon Ward can hold a tune – and he knows all the words.
And to show it truly was a community effort, the kids from Glenswilly National School finished the night with a specially penned ode to their heroes.
Down Glenswilly way, it’s not about Murphy, the starting fifteen or the 30 strong panel.
It’s about community and that includes blow-ins from Dublin, Mayo and Monaghan.
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