Jubilant Padjoe stands tall after touchline ban

THE end justified the means, but Birr manager Padjoe Whelahan was still a little miffed by the manner in which he had to lead his charges to another All-Ireland club title and a place in the record books.

Being forced to watch from the stands as his team took the field in the biggest game of their season was cruel and utterly unfair, the genial Padjoe admitted in the aftermath of one of his greatest triumphs.

"It wasn't nice. It should never happen to any manager, put in the stand for All-Ireland final day; you're training a team there all the year, three nights a week sent to the stand, it's not right."