St Gall’s finally reach the summit

AT the time it was a shattering experience, but St Gall’s club final loss four years ago has proven to be a defining moment in their football history.

From the ashes of that defeat, they rose to establish themselves as a competitive force on the club football scene again. Yesterday afternoon in Croke Park they arrived back at a national decider stage for the first time since 2006 and it was perfectly clear that the Belfast club had come to right the wrongs of the past

In a desperately disappointing game of football, St Gall’s comfortably overcame Clare representatives Kilmurry-Ibrickane to become the first All-Ireland club football champions from Antrim. The nerves and uncertainty that had crippled their challenge four years ago against Salthill-Knocknacarra were notably absent.