The Moy will never be the same again, a village transformed by the honour bestowed on its people by a heroic group of footballers who can now call themselves champions of Ireland.
Team captain Eunan Deeney led the Tir na nOgs to triumph in the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship final at Croke Park, and he’s still struggling to grasp the enormity of what the Tyrone club has achieved.
“It’s beyond words, what it does to a community like this. To stand on the biggest stage in Ireland, and put our wee club on the map, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
“We are a small club, but what we have is a lot of really willing people, a lot of people that want to unite together and be successful on the pitch.”
A 1-10 to 0-7 victory over Michael Glaveys of Roscommon in Sunday’s decider brought a memorable campaign to a triumphant climax, and virtually the entire population of The Moy was there to share in the joy.
“Our support has been unbelievable, and from that we create so much character. We’re grateful for everybody that rallies in behind us, and we have as much character as any of the big clubs in Ireland.”
Glaveys staged a courageous comeback after having a man sent off in the second half, but the Ulster champions weathered the storm to push for home, after getting off to the perfect start with an early goal.
“There was a wee swing in momentum there in the second half. We tried to suck it up and negate us as much as possible. Conall Duffy settled us with that score late on, a much-needed score, although we were still in a convincing lead.
“But you never know, a game can ebb and flow any way. They were pressing, and starting to put in dangerous ball towards the end, and the ball can spill any way, and finish in the back of the net.
“But fair play to our full back line and goalkeeper, they really were very organised and very commanding, and lucky enough, nothing hit the net.
“There was a couple of blocks made in there. Mark Gribbin made an unbelievable block at one stage on Andy Glennon. But that’s what it takes, it takes boys to sacrifice themselves, it takes an incredible amount of sacrifices to get us to this level, and I’m so proud of the boys.
Attacker Ryan Coleman paid tribute to the Connacht champions for the manner in which they stepped up their challenge after being reduced to 14 men.
“It was tough going in the second half. Michael Glaveys went a man down, but they kept pushing at it, they kept coming back at us, but we knew we had the character in us to see it out.
“And when we needed to get out, we had men coming out, big Colm (Cavanagh), Niall Conlon, everybody really pushed on there in the second half and saw the game out when we needed to.
“Our defence has been immense all year, and they worked extremely hard today. It was tough up front, but we have the men up there to get he scores, Harry and Sean.
“We have had serious team character all year, we have seen games out, we have won three or four games by a point, and the character has just built with every game.
“Every game, we have got better and better, and the spirit in the camp is unbelievable. What a way to cap off the year.”
