In the moments after both of Sunday’s All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals, families and friends huddled together on the pitch in small clusters chatting with the players about events of the afternoon.
Some were elated, some despondent – but the standout emotion on display in both Thurles and Newbridge was one of immense pride. It was unmistakable; pride of parishes, pride of families, and all because their club had made it to this stage – the last four in the country.
“It means everything. The club is who we are, it’s our identity, it’s built around our families, it’s playing with everybody that we grew up with, it’s working with everyone that we grew up with,” commented Na Fianna manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin after his side’s victory over Loughrea.
“All of the coaches, all of the parents who have supported all those lads inside there to be where they are now looking forward to an All-Ireland club final, I would not just be so proud of the players but really proud of all the people who put so much work into them as well. It means everything.
“There are not so many things pure left in life but this is definitely one of them.”
For a man about to experience life as an intercounty senior manager in the months ahead, Ó Ceallacháin will get to enter that world on the back of leading his childhood club to an All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
They will meet Sarsfields of Cork in that decider next month but Ó Ceallacháin knows his side must improve on their semi-final showing if they are to get their hands on the Tommy Moore Cup.
“We showed huge character in that last 10-15 minutes. Semi-finals are for winning, whatever way you do it,” he added.
“We didn’t hurl well in the first half at all but hung in there, clung in there. We went in four points down, it could’ve been worse. We had a couple of big scores to keep us in the game at that point. We hurled well in that second half then.
“I was really proud of that second half. The levels of aggression in and out of possession were really good, the first half we weren’t where we needed to be.
“They were absolutely at the pace of it and we weren’t at the pace of it. We struggled for almost all that first half but we clung in there so there is a tremendous amount of work for us to do in the next few weeks to get some things right.”
Planning for an All-Ireland final at this time of the year is a strange experience – and juggling the Christmas celebrations will be part of the logistical challenge for both Na Fianna and Sarsfields.
“Look, it’s Christmas as well and you must enjoy that,” said Sarsfields manager Johnny Crowley. “We have to have a happy balance and a happy medium of living for the next two or three weeks and training for the next two or three weeks.”
But for Ó Ceallacháin, the experiences of Christmas pasts should be enough to motivate his players to pour all of their energies towards the club’s maiden All-Ireland senior hurling final appearance.
“We’ll enjoy it [semi-final win] for a day or two but they’ve had enough Christmases and winters where they’ve had nothing to do,” said the Na Fianna manager. “So, I don’t think they’ll have a problem with that.”
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