It’s up there with anything I've experienced: Johnny Doyle
“It’s up there, I was lucky, I played in three Senior finals, won one, we never thought Allenwood would win a Senior Championship but this is up there too. I grew up out here on the field, the last time we won (1990 Intermediate) my Da was in the middle of the field wearing number eight, the kids are here today wearing number eight on their back. The family, the club is everything to us and I know it's the same in every club, but your own club is special and that is as good a day as we have ever had,” the words of Allenwood legend and Man of the Match, Johnny Doyle, following his side's IFC final win over Castledermot.
The 45 year-old, who was denied the winner himself score by a Gavin Keating equaliser, was quick to praise their game-winning score from superb sub Jack O'Brien in the 63rd minute to clinch it all.
Doyle said, “In fairness to Jack O’Brien, he’s the smallest man in Allenwood, but with the quickest step. He’s just able to find a gap and what a way to win it. It’s been a huge year for us, to be beaten twice in the Championship and still be here on the last day and to win, it’s up there with anything I've experienced.”
The man who made his Championship debut in 1996 has added another medal to his list of achievements. With county commitments as a selector and playing it smart with his fitness, Doyle has had to balance a lot throughout this incredible year.
“In fairness to Noel (Mooney), I said to him at the start of the year. Tuesday and Thursday is gonna be tied up with Kildare but I’m willing to help, whatever you want, if it's five minutes or no time at all. He said ‘you keep yourself right, just turn up for the matches and if we need ya I’ll pick you’ I tried to do that and in fairness to Noel he picked me and I’m still here. The boys know that my heart is with the team all the time and anytime I can I try to get back and support them,” he said.
Doyle concluded by saying, “We’ll really enjoy this, I don’t know where Leinster takes us, I hadn’t even dared to look. Enjoy it for a day or two and then we’ll dust ourselves down and go again.”