WITH a visible presence on the sideline during games, Niall Williams may be manager of the Myshall team but when it comes to post-match analysis he becomes anonymous. Polite and courteous he just declines to comment.

Instead he points you in the direction of the Myshall backroom team and individuals such as Mary Nolan, Nuala Quirke, Sheila Ryan and Patricia Stacey. Mary and Nuala have daughters on the winning team. It was an emotional time for them in particular.
“It means everything,” said Mary at Croke Park after Sunday’s game. Her voice cracked, overcome with emotion as the realisation seeped in of what had just been achieved.
“Everyone played their part, everyone gave 100%. We had to battle to the last minute of the game and it could have gone any way. There was no way we were going to give it up,” she said.
The Leinster final of 2015 was a difficult day for her and the players. According to Nolan that was a day where some of the seeds for overall victory were sown.
“We knew when we were beaten by Tullaroan that there was no way we were going to stay down and that we would be back. Everyone put their heads to the ground, gave 100% and it has paid off.”
Nuala Quirke said she wasn’t being wise after the event but she did feel that if this group of players wanted to play and win in Croke Park, they would.
“I knew I wouldn’t be playing but I had a vision that I would be back with these talented players who would be playing in Croke Park and winning an All-Ireland.
“It means so much to everyone and us as a family. I have been playing for so long and have coached my daughters Niamh, Ciara and many of these players. I did visualise that with these players coming up and training methods changing I did feel we could make it to Croke Park with them.”
As a group they soaked up the atmosphere as they entered the stadium.
“We were looking at the people who we went to school with and who we grew up with. It was amazing,” said Nuala.
“In the village after Mass this morning the whole place was black and amber with everyone flying flags. Everyone was in good humour as the bus sneaked out of the village. Everyone was calm and composed. It is amazing.”