Dunloy boss says he knew his side would thrive in Croke Park

Neither the opposition nor the wide open spaces of Croke Park did Gregory O'Kane fear for his players. He knew they’d thrive at GAA HQ, as his own team had done 26 years ago

JUBILANT: Dunloy Cuchullains manager Gregory O'Kane with Eoin McFerran after their side's victory in the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final win over St Thomas of Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Prior to Sunday afternoon, Dunloy had only once tasted victory at Croke Park. That was the 1996 All-Ireland club semi-final against Kilkenny’s Glenmore. Gregory O’Kane was their top scorer that day. On Sunday, he was on the line as manager.

Neither the opposition nor the wide open spaces of Croke Park did he fear for his players. He knew they’d thrive at GAA HQ, as his own team had done 26 years ago.