COLUMN: Mayo's win in July was special but this was something else

A sentiment that floated in the air on Sunday night in a packed Mickey O’Boyle’s Halfway House. “The best day of my life”, a seasoned panellist was heard to exclaim several times, almost in disbelief. “They can keep their Sam Maguire!”, a club veteran proclaimed. “We have Petie McDonnell now!” We don’t think he really meant it, but we can’t be sure, and as the latter trophy danced atop ecstatic celebrating hands to the strains of ‘Simply the Best’, there is no doubt that in Ardagh, To Win Just Once would most definitely have been enough, if that once was a Junior A title.

How lucky and blessed are Ardagh people to have been part of two such seismic victories in the space of mere weeks. To have the luxury of comparing and contrasting these wonderful, different blends of ecstasy. To have one of their own involved in both.

​ARDAGH’S GREATEST

James Carr was always going to go down in history as Ardagh’s all time greatest, but his second half performance on Sunday cements that reputation and ensures that his name will always be synonymous with the club. Having squandered a five-point lead and more than a couple of goal chances in the first-half, the North Mayo men headed to the dressing room a point down and facing into the prospect of a stiff wind in the second half. Gary Kenny, a Longford native who made Ardagh his home three years ago, had produced a string of first half saves to keep us in the game. (As someone remarked on Sunday night, with initials like those, he was always destined for a career between the sticks.) Ardagh were living dangerously.

​PRE-GAME NERVES

“You weren’t nearly this nervous before the All-Ireland,” remarked my friend, the Cailín Deas, who had brought the Galway man along to witness some top-class Mayo football. She was right. I hadn’t been able for the breakfast, and despite several layers of wind-repellent clothing, was feeling the chill. The nervous faces of people from home, filing through the tea queue hadn’t helped. The Belmullet team of 2001 were celebrated at half time. Junior champions back then, a kick away from a senior county final this year. A reminder to dream big. The hats, flags, headbands and hope of the preceding week, teasing us with the prospect of a county title.

Unlike Mayo, Ardagh had had no long string of disappointing defeats. This was their first county final. The club’s biggest struggle has always been its size, the tiny parish footprint meaning having the players and talent to compete as a minnow dwarfed by three neighbouring giants has always been the challenge. Getting there was the mountain, but the want to prove yourself as a winner is no smaller, just because you are small. Sunday represented the culmination of well over a decade’s hard work, nearly two.

THE KILTANE WIZARD

When Sean Carey, a Kiltane native arrived and settled in Ardagh, he set to work wizard-like, pouring time, energy and expertise into his chosen home, day after day, night after night. He even brought a son to dazzle us with stylish forward play. And at half time, Sean Carey brandished his magic wand again, saving his finest spells for when they were most needed. Small tweaks. Adam Foody to the edge of the square. James Carr to the middle, where he proceeded, alongside his brother Brendan to deliver a masterclass in leadership.

Then, the goals.

He was likely going for the point, but Dylan Murphy will surely claim he meant it. An outrageous chip, which sent the Gaels keeper scrambling the minute it left his boot. Ardagh were back in business. A two-pointer from the captain, and then, on the first pull, a soccer style screamer that send the Ardagh faithful into raptures. Haaland who? Four young lads behind us whooped with joy. Even the Galwayman was on his feet. Tom Varkonda sealed it with a third.

​AN ERUPTION OF JOY

It was a formality from there, even if the nerves wouldn’t abate. “You can enjoy the last few minutes now,” remarked the Poor Unfortunate. What planet was he on?! It was only when the excellent James Regan blew the whistle after six (!) agonising minutes of added time, that my shoulders dropped.

And that eruption of joy that for so long felt like something that only other clubs get to experience, was Ardagh’s. Embraces with family, friends, schoolmates from the 80s. Carr delivering a joyous victory speech that meant everything, making sure those the club has lost were included. Pain and loss sit alongside joy in all of these great victories. The club’s biggest supporter, James Gough, hoisting the cup aloft, drawing the biggest cheer of the day.

For Eastern Gaels, a fine club with a story so similar to Ardagh’s, and a heart every bit as big, yesterday will have been devastating. A second loss in as many years is beyond tough, and it was evident on their shattered faces after the game. They know they have no choice but to go again and go again, they will.

Ardagh, remarkably, will now compete in the intermediate championship - a division where until recently, our neighbours Crossmolina sat. A seismic achievement. And they will be ready.

For now, though, there is joy. For those that have lived and breathed Ardagh GAA, some since 1978, and others, for as long as they have been on this earth. For those toiled, fundraised, dug and built and strove for better, better, better. For those who coached Sunday’s stars at U8, U10, U12, all the way up. For those who joined from elsewhere. For the lads that put their shoulders to the wheel after last year’s semi-final loss. For those who always believed this day was possible. They have earned this weekend of pure unfettered joy and satisfaction.

We all know it, of course. Club is king. Home is home. And nothing in the world can beat a win with your own band of brothers, returning with silverware to the place that nurtured you.