Paul McConway enjoys fourth title win with Tullamore
CORNER back Paul McConway picked up his fourth Offaly senior football medal following Tullamore's victory over Ferbane and he relished the victory as much as any of the previous ones.
“It was a great win. Conditions didn't lend themselves to good football but heart and soul really won it in the end,” he said. “We knew it was going to be tough but delighted to come out out on top in the end.”
Conditions were very tough and didn't contribute to a flowing game of football. “Trying to get ball in hand and keep possession was tough, you saw how many turnovers there were, it wasn't pretty. We managed to hold on by two points in the end and we just showed great heart and it's a nice one to win.”
After their first half goal Tullamore managed to stay in front for the remainder of the game. “Again conditions played a part. Today whoever got a goal was probably going to win the game. We stayed in front for the rest of the game. Would we be happy with today? probably not, but we won and these games are always hard won.
“In the middle third a huge effort went in and the amount of turnovers in the middle third from both sides was massive. Ferbane turned us over as much as we turned them over and I know I keep saying it, it comes down to the conditions and a bit of heart in the end. You saw John Furlong's block and I suppose that summarised the game really.
“Someone said we only scored a couple of points in the second half but even to win it that way is a great way to win. If you won 1-0 you would be happy and as a spectacle it probably wasn't the best but in saying that I think there was probably a lot of entertainment. It's two good teams slogging it out and maybe the next day with better conditions we can prove we can play a bit of football,” Paul said.
“I think for this team to progress we need to have a crack at Leinster. This is our second one in the last four years and even for Offaly as well and the younger lads it's important. Look, we'll celebrate tonight and for a few days and then put the heads down again.”
Paul was delighted to win his fourth title. “This is my fourth and steeped to have four as well. It is up there with the best of them. They are all hard to win, Ferbane are a very good team, so to come out the right side of it is fantastic.”