'A huge reason was Don' - Emotion and endurance drive the Maigh Cuilinn dream

For the Galway champions, Saturday's triumph was stitched from emotion and endurance, powered by men who found their best selves when it mattered most.

RISING AGAIN: Maigh Cuilinn supporters celebrate after the Galway County Senior Club Football Championship final match between Maigh Cuilinn and Salthill-Knocknacarra at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Moycullen 1-17 Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-15
The beauty of county finals is that, while the formula for victory rarely changes, its meaning is always local. For Maigh Cuilinn, that triumph was stitched from emotion and endurance, powered by men who found their best selves when it mattered most.

Galway captain Seán Kelly was sensational under the floodlights of Pearse Stadium, from the opening bell to the close. He struck the first score of the game with a trademark burst from deep off the throw-in, and added the final point to make the margin two. Salthill did have two opportunities to level it. Tomo Culhane failed to convert either of the frees.