“It is a first time we’ve ever had this, so let’s make the most of it.”

“From a young age, we dreamed of winning a championship with Glen and for a long time it never happened but now that it’s here we’ll try to make the most out of it.” - MICHAEL WARNOCK

Glen’s win over Magherafelt on Sunday came in two parts. The Rossa surge towards a three-point lead after 21 minutes and the Watties’ recovery process that followed.

IN PICTURES: Fans out in force for finals day in Celtic Park

Photos: nwpresspics

Michael Warnock’s imprint was all over how the Ulster champions stamped their authorly on Sunday’s decider.

After floating between marking space and following Ryan Lennox, ‘Spike’ spent much of the second half on Cormac Murphy with the ‘best form of defence is attack’ mantra.

It worked. His first three forays upfield in the second half bore fruit. He played the ball to Emmett Bradley for the opener and was fouled for Bradley’s first converted free. His fingerprints were also over Conleth McGuckian’s point.

“Thankfully at half time, for us, we didn’t panic,” Warnock said of the Glen dressing room.

“We came in and knew where we were going wrong, figured it out and we sorted it in the second half…. getting back level at half-time was a big one.

“We got the first score of the second half which meant they (Magherafelt) had to come out a touch (to chase the game).”

Cathal Mulholland applying the finish to a second county final goal in succession put Glen 1-6 to 0-5 ahead and into to a position of strength.

“If you fall behind against them (Magherafelt) they are very frustrating to play against because they can keep the ball,” Warnock said.

“To get ahead of them was the big objective for us and it meant they had to come out and play a bit different.

“By doing that, they had to take a few risks and with those risks we were able to get turnovers and scores at the other end.”

Warnock preached the same gospel Connor Carville delivered in his acceptance speech and many of the Glen players were relaying in post-game interviews.

It took them a long time to get the winners' podium. The underage production line has delivered and they are enjoying a golden era.

Sunday also elevated them into the three-in-a-row club, a long way from the “will we ever win one” thoughts after coming up short against Magherafelt in their first ever final, in 2019.

“We are one of the few clubs in Derry to have won three in a row,” Warnock said.

“Slaughtneil were there and they were the kingpins for a long, long time – the standard bearers who we were chasing for years.

“To win one, you think it would be great but when you do then you get greedy and are thinking of a second.

“When you get the second, you think, let’s not stop here, let’s push on with this group of players that have come through this club.

“It is a first time we’ve ever had this, so let’s make the most of it.”

From living the shadows of Slaughtneil and losing to Magherafelt in their first final, Glen are enjoying their dose of the winning feeling.

For Warnock, it helped fuel more success. The belief of digging themselves out of sticky situation feeds into it. They needed two second half performances in their last two games.

“We have saw the great teams coming through before, Ballinderry, Slaughtneil…from 2010 onwards,” he said.

“They didn’t always play their best, but found a way to get through. You think of the likes of Kilcoo, winning Down by a point all the time.

“It builds that confidence and trust in the players that you can grind results out.

“From a young age, we dreamed of winning a championship with Glen and for a long time it never happened but now that it’s here we’ll try to make the most out of it.”

Next up for Glen is a rematch with Antrim giants Cargin from last year’s semi-final in Omagh, a victory Warnock felt “flattered” his side.

“They (Cargin) have a belief they should’ve won it that day and they probably should’ve if they had pushed on when we were against the ropes,” he said.

“We need to get our heads back down now. We’ll enjoy this; you have to enjoy these days but we know what it coming down the tracks with Cargin.”