‘A special feeling’ as Caltra celebrates
"I have never woken up to experience such a feeling, it was the same for everybody. It was wonderful," said selector Gabriel Naughton. "It's all very hard to take in, but it was that way when we won our first county final a special feeling.
"Obviously, there's massive jubilation at what we achieved on Wednesday, but I believe it's only in the weeks and months ahead that it will sink in what we have done."
Naughton, who was the effective manager on the day, agreed they had gone through a tough two weeks after Micheal Meehan had been injured.
"That was a huge concern. It would have been a concern for any member of the team, but Michael had played such an important role in our success. He adds a huge dimension. Thankfully, with the best of professional help, he was back in time to play against The Loup in our All-Ireland semi-final."
That day, he contributed a final goal to Caltra's six point victory having scored a goal in each of the previous five games in the campaign.
With the county senior football league starting on Sunday week, Naughton said it serves as a reminder of the significance of their success in the competition in January.
"That was a special day in itself, because we had never won a league title before, but we didn't have time to take it in because we were in the middle of our preparations for the game with The Loup.
"We won the final in a replay with Salthill. These two games were highly competitive. And they were the ideal preparation for the semi-final."
Meanwhile, team captain Noel Meehan, once again inspirational on Wednesday, is certain to make a serious challenge for a place in Galway's starting line-up in the Connacht championship. There's every possibility he will also appear in the remaining games in the Allianz National League.
Noel, a former Galway Under-21 captain, was on the fringe of the senior panel in 2001, but was never a member of the official panel.
Both Declan and Micheal Meehan were involved in the opening league game against Meath, subsequently Micheal was injured in training and Declan made a brief appearance against Armagh.
Since then, none of the Caltra players have been available for selection.
Galway manager John O'Mahony agreed the Caltra captain played an especially crucial role in their success.
"There's no doubt, he's an excellent player and he played a tremendous role in Wednesday's victory. His ball retention, his leadership and his scoring were all very impressive," he commented.
"It was a fantastic victory for Caltra and I was thrilled for them. To put their two best performances together in the All-Ireland semi-final and final was something of a fairytale story for them.
That's something to be especially proud of."
O'Mahony, who visited the players in the dressing room after the game and attended their victory banquet, described their win as a "great boost" for Galway football.
"After Corofin won in 1998, they are the second club to come from nowhere to be All-Ireland champions.
"In the last few years club football in Galway had its critics, from without as well as within, but Caltra have answered them not just in winning the final, but the manner in which they achieved it. They played total free-flowing football.
"There are lots of ways to win an All-Ireland. They did it in style," he added.
Just like Newtownshandrum, whose victory over Dunloy in the hurling final represents another fairytale, the Caltra club will receive a Toyota car as part of the GAA's sponsorship arrangement with the company. GAA President Sean Kelly said the deal adds a new dimension to the championship.
"It's part of our ongoing efforts to put more emphasis and give greater support to our clubs. It is yet another measure of how far these championships have come since their inauguration over 30 years ago."
Mr Kelly expressed confidence that this time next year there will be All-Ireland club competitions in place at junior and intermediate level.
