Joy and relief in Leinster Final victory for Dicksboro manager and match-winner

There was pure joy on the field after the game as Dicksboro won a second Leinster title in three years.
For manager Donal Carroll, it was maybe a bit too close for comfort even in victory.

“We were hoping we might have got there a bit easier and under a bit less pressure but it was some game,” he said.

“We got back within touching distance in the second half before they kicked on again and they are a great team so the clock was our friend and we managed to reel them in at the end.

“We’ve been in similar positions before where we’ve been up against very good opposition and found ourselves trailing on the scoreboard,” he added. “We just tell them to believe in themselves and keep working and in fairness to them, they did just that.

“Oulart had a lot of trouble getting out of trouble in the second half as our forwards really stepped up and not even that we were scoring, but we denied them the platform to launch from and that went very well.

“Getting on top around midfield and cutting the supply to the likes of Una Leacy was crucial and it helped us get over the line in the end.”

Asked what keeps them going, Carroll acknowledges that they have a great love for the game.

“The players love it and it’s much easier to come out when you are winning and get a bit of reward for your efforts.

“They always come to training with a smile on their face and you can see it by the honest effort they put in on the pitch,” he added.

Ciara Phelan was the match winner with her late point and she tried to sum up her emotions afterwards.

“I don’t even know what to say, it feels a bit like a fever dream,” she said.

“The first half was a bit of a nightmare but the second half was much better and when you win by a point after being five down at half-time, it shows the heart in the team. I’m just delighted we could get over the line again.”