A memorable day for the Highmoss

Club PRO Gerard Smith shares his impressions of the day:

Entering the hall at Sarsfields on Sunday morning there was an air of confidence about the team. They were having a pre-match breakfast and were chatting away with no sign of nerves or pressure.

The ladies of the club had provided a great breakfast for the team, and invited guests. Among the guests were previous championship winning players and managers, reminiscing about their championship final victories.

The hall had been decorated with posters wishing the team every success and outside flags and bunting had been erected. Video interviews were carried out with some of the guests and these will be invaluable in years to come when we look back to the history of our club.

Supporters, family and friends were gathering in the yard cameras at the ready, keen to see off the team and wish them well. There was a sense of excitement and anticipation. Prior to the team setting off Jimmy McDowell a popular member of the senior backroom team boarded the coach to offer a few words of encouragement to the team. As Jimmy presented a new match ball to team captain Mark Reynolds it was clear that it was an emotional moment for the team, particularly for those experienced players who had appreciated Jimmy’s involvement over many years.

The team coach left to a rousing send off and it was the perfect start to the day. On the coach were Felix Donnelly and Gerard McAlinden as guests. They had been managers of the previous Intermediate Championship winning team 41-years ago.

The victorious team returned to a packed hall for a night of celebration and reflection on a superb victory. Several players commented that the send off that morning had made them realise just what this meant to the club and that it made them totally determined to bring the Atty Hearty Cup to the Highmoss.

For many players their playing careers began at the local primary school and on Monday morning a group of our younger players – past pupils of the school, proudly carried the Atty Hearty Cup into the school to the delight of the pupils and of their former teachers.

Of course many of the children had been at the match at the homecoming celebrations. There is just an attraction about a trophy and the children were delighted to get their hands on the cup and to dream about their own future successes.