Ballymac's Aidan Breen: Our name has been on All-Ireland junior title all year

BATTLE: Eoin Mellon of Clogher Éire Óg and Aidan Breen of Ballymacelligott in action. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

Ballymacelligott midfielder Aidan Breen was in no doubt that the club were going to claim the All-Ireland junior title.

“To be honest, I think our name has been on it all year,” said the veteran who kicked over three frees in the final.

“But the way I suppose it's gone for us, it took us a while to get a bit of momentum.

“I suppose the St Senan’s game (Kerry JFC final), we were blessed to win that. The little breaks, even last week (v Grangenolvin), it could have gone either way.

“It just seemed like our name was on it. We've been getting little breaks, even last week we could have gone probably either way. It just felt that our name was on it this year, to be honest. That's what it comes down to sometimes, isn't it?”

Breen’s belief shouldn’t be construed as over-confidence. As a man who experienced the dark days, his instant feeling at the final whistle was humility.

“It's magic, absolute magic. It's hard to put into words, it's been a great journey for us this year. One high after the other, so I'm just very humbled, very grateful for the success we've had.”

Breen gave a nod to those club members who have passed in recent times.

“As every club has done, we have lost great clubmen. My father (Jimmy) just over a year ago. What he’d have given to be here today.

“Luke Silles. There are several others. Gene Griffin passed away on Christmas Eve. David Leen. You could go on and on but they’re all part of our journey. We’re doing it for them and the people of Ballymac.” 

Clogher Éire Óg manager Steven McKenna accepted his team kicked too many second-half wides but was making no excuses for the defeat.

“When we got our chances in the second half, we just couldn't take them. We just couldn't convert and then that gave them a lifeline and they were able to push on from that.

"So, listen, fair play to Ballymac, they were the better team on the day, they showed that in the second half.

“I suppose it's just gut-wrenching from our point of view, we knew the level the lads had got to and we just couldn't kick on in the second half.”

Three goal chances, two for Ciarán Bogue, went abegging.

“When you don't convert like that, it just gives a shot in the arm to the opposition at that point.”