Paul Rouse: How did sweet Offaly victory happen and what happens next?

Tears were shed on and off the field by people who feared such a day for Offaly would never come again

PASSION PLAY: Brecon Kavanagh and Marcas Dalton savour the moment after Offaly’s All-Ireland U20 final win over Tipperary last Saturday. There are only a few times in a sporting life when you get to share such a collective outpouring of such emotion. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

For Offaly people, winning the All-Ireland Under 20 hurling final last Saturday night was a remarkable joy. There are only a few times – and only then if you’re truly fortunate – in a sporting life when you get to share such a collective outpouring of such emotion.

Tears were shed on and off the field by people who feared that such a day was done.