St Mary’s forward Diarmuid Kelleher was in jubilant form after the final whistle, as St Mary’s were crowned Leitrim Senior Champions for 2022.
Speaking exclusively to FinalWhistle.ie after the tie, Kelleher spoke of how hard they trained long before the season started, despite it causing hardship at the time he would do it all over again after being crowned champions.
“Yeah I’m absolutely ecstatic, I still can’t believe it like I’m just the final whistle keeps running through my head and I’m just delighted, I woke up this morning and I just knew when I woke up I was like is St Mary’s day, we’ve worked so hard, I remember coming in in January and running and running and running and I was thinking what am I doing this running for like, getting sick in the middle of the runs, then having to get up and run again after today I know exactly why we done it, I’d do it 100 times over.”
Two years prior to their success in Pairc Sean, Mary’s were defeated by Mohill, a team that was young and needed the time to develop, having matured now they can taste success for the first time in nine years, Kelleher believes the young lads have came good and having Alan Flynn as manager has certainly helped.
“I think it’s a lot of the lads have played a lot more senior football like, we know kinda what it’s about it’s such a high tempo compared to underage and we were in a tough position at half time here, but when we went into the dressing room there was a calmness whereas two years ago I remember like I was playing I was unfortunate to be injured but, the young lads it’s amazing so composed, that’s down to Alan as well when your manager has such belief in ya, it’s incredible like what you can do your not doubting yourself you know what you can do.”
Kellher also praised how professional the setup is in St Mary’s, as a player he and his teammates need not worry too much about what goes on only to turn up and do the job needed, anything they need is sorted by the club itself.
“It’s such a professional outfit, everything and anything that we want we have it like, some stuff we don’t even have to ask for it’s just given to us like, it makes it so much easier to us, we do have to turn up for training and bring your gear and train, that’s it there’s no worrying about anything else.”
Full Interview:
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.