Niall Allen: Uibh Laoire’s journey makes county final success all the sweeter

Four years of striving, near misses and painful setbacks finally culminated in silverware for Uibh Laoire on Saturday night and coach Niall Allen believes the county final triumph was reward for a group that simply refused to give up.

The Muskerry club overcame Kiskeam by 4-22 to 0-23 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to claim the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title, finally getting over the line after knocking on the door for several seasons.

Having lost a quarter-final to eventual champions Cill na Martra, a semi-final to eventual winners Kilshannig and then last year's final to Aghabullogue, Allen felt the journey made the success even sweeter.

"It's four years of hard work," Allen said afterwards.

"Getting used to the Premier Intermediate grade and building every year. We got to a quarter-final and lost to Cill na Martra, who won it. We got to a semi-final and lost to Kilshannig, who won it. Then we lost a final to Aghabullogue.

"It's a tough road but it's worth it now and it's very sweet since we got over the line."

Allen has been heavily involved with the club's rise and admitted the commitment has been considerable, but he never lost faith in the players.

"It's the same lads every year. It's the same lads since they came up from junior.

"They're just an unbelievable group. We're working off a very small player pool and they eke out everything they can out of themselves. I'm delighted for them because they're an unbelievable bunch."

Uibh Laoire looked on course for a comfortable victory when Ian Jones struck three first-half goals and his side opened up a commanding lead. 

However, Kiskeam once again demonstrated their quality, landing six two-pointers to ensure the issue remained in doubt deep into the second half.

Allen was full of praise for the Duhallow side. 

"Kiskeam were brilliant. Their shooting was outrageous," the Ballincollig man says.

"They did the same against us previously. They got six two-pointers tonight and they pushed us to the pin of our collar. Luckily, we were nearly responding with every score and we were happy with that."

Despite seeing their lead trimmed to six points by half-time, there was no panic in the Uibh Laoire camp.

"We were comfortable enough," Allen states. 

"We felt at one stage we were in a very good position and then Kiskeam just caught fire.

"They were always going to have a spell like that. They did the same against us last year. When you're six points up in a county final at half-time, you're happy enough."

While the Jones brothers, Chris Óg and Ian, and captain Cathal Vaughan again caught the eye, Allen was particularly pleased that every one of his players produced on the biggest stage.

"I thought there was nobody underperforming. To have all your players performing at such a high level in a county final was unreal.

"Sam Pickering has been unbelievable all year. Then you've got young leaders coming through as well. It's brilliant for them."

Allen also believes last year's defeat proved an important stepping stone.

"The occasion is big. There are a lot of side shows around a county final. Having experienced that last year definitely helped us.

"We lost, but we felt there was more in us. Playing in big games and finals stands to teams and I think that's something that helped us."

According to Allen, one of the biggest factors behind Uibh Laoire's success this season has been their maturity in pressure situations.

Promotion to Division 1 of the county league and learning to navigate difficult moments has transformed the team.

"We've worked on being composed and never panicking," he says.

"In loads of games we've had periods where we're under pressure but we've responded really well. 

"Game management has improved massively. Even there tonight, holding the ball when we needed to hold it and working the scores, that's the sign of a mature team."