“I remember my grandfather talking about winning All-Irelands”

Lifting the Tommy Moore Cup is the stuff of dreams for Ballygunner joint captain Mikey Mahony. 

His grandfather Pat O'Sullivan had lofty ambitions for the club long before these great days at GAA HQ.

“It means everything,” Mahony remarked in the middle of the Croke Park pitch on Sunday afternoon. 

“It’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was four or five years of age. I never thought it would actually materialise. I remember my grandfather talking about winning All-Irelands with Ballygunner and thinking ‘this fella in front of me is absolutely bonkers!’ 

"We’ve done it twice! It’s just so special. To be the joint captain of the team just adds to it as well.” 

The Gunners never looked back after the number fifteen billowed the Hill 16 net five minutes into the second half. What a time to fire home his first goal of the season! 

“I went through with two balls in the first half and I got dispossessed. Peter popped one off, and I said I would just put the hammer down and see where it took me. It took me to the back of the net, thank god.” 

Two-time All-Ireland champions have a nice ring to it. Defeats to St Thomas’ and Sarsfields in recent seasons tested their mettle. 

“We went through a lot of hardship over the last couple of years. Setback after setback. It makes it all worthwhile when you’re standing here in Croke Park looking at the black and red in front of the Hogan Stand. It’s the greatest ever!” 

Stephen O'Keeffe put in another Man of the Match display between the sticks. 

“We won’t realise how incredible he is until he’s gone. His distribution is like having an outfielder on goal. He’s special.”