Aghabullogue boss Ray Keane: This is special, I don't think anything will ever match this

Aghabullogue manager Ray Keane couldn’t praise his players enough after the Coachford-based side won the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening. 

They got the better of Muskerry rivals Uibh Laoire by a single point on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-11. Matthew Bradley came up with an excellent point in added time. It was a great score that proved to be the winner.

After losing the decider after a replay last year to Kilshannig, this one feels very sweet for the team in green and white.

It looked like another loss in the final was on the cards at various stages, but Aghabullogue never gave up.

“I am kind of lost for words because I couldn’t be happier,” the new Cork U20 football boss said post-match to The Echo.

“To be fair to these lads, they've been through a lot in the last few weeks, especially Dhani Merrick.

“He died with his boots on out there as did the rest of them. I just could not be prouder of this group.

“We’re here to win, simple as that, there’s nothing else that matters. We were down five points at one stage, but with the new rules, it’s nothing. You saw Aghinagh were up seven points on Saturday late on and lost it.

“The new rules, they have just changed the whole game. People don’t understand the difference in the rules and the difference in the structure of the game now, it’s totally different.

“It’s a massive win for Aghabullogue to be now playing senior football. It’s credit to the people of the parish. It’s not a huge place, as you know, but by God, they give you everything.

“People go on about dual clubs, but Aghabullogue are actually a triple club because they’ve football, hurling and soccer.

“Nobody takes that into account. We’ve probably trained, I would say, about maybe 44 times this year and we’ve beaten all football clubs in the last three games.

“I guarantee you, they have trained twice as much as us. What these fellas have achieved today is unbelievable.” 

Keane was manager of St Finbarr’s when they won the top-tier football championship in 2018, which ended 33 years of hurt for the Togher team. His impressive CV with other teams including underage success with his club Éire Óg has now been added to.

“You know me long enough, I’ve been involved in an awful lot of games and teams all my life, this is special,” he says.

“I don’t think anything will ever match this, genuinely for circumstances, but for the group of young lads we have. They’re just absolutely fantastic men and a credit to their parents. I can’t speak highly enough of them.” 

Aghabullogue have a quick turnaround. They face Tipperary winners Thurles Sarsfields next Sunday in the AIB Munster Club IFC quarter-final in Templetuohy at 1.30pm.

“We just have to enjoy the moment and live in the moment. Once the players turn up next Sunday with their boots, I’m happy. They can do whatever they want in the meantime." Keane concluded.