REACTION: 'It hasn’t sunk in yet,' said Ryan, who hails once-in-a-lifetime Upperchurch triumph

Keith Ryan admitted it had yet to fully sink in after Upperchurch Drombane emerged from one of the most dramatic club games in recent memory, edging past Tooreen following a chaotic, bruising and emotionally charged battle.

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Asked what it felt like to come out the right side of such a bizarre contest, Ryan struggled to put it into words.

“I don’t really know, to be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s the stuff of dreams. Going back 12 months ago, when we went back to training, we did not think we’d be here.

“When we got the opportunity, we just said to ourselves, coming up today, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and don’t leave anything behind you.”

Upperchurch Drombane certainly did that, but not without being pushed to their limits by a relentless Tooreen side who refused to go away, even when the game appeared to be slipping from their grasp.

“We didn’t make it easy,” Ryan acknowledged. “In fairness to Tooreen, they’re a savage team. We had to do everything in our power to get over them. If we won by a point there today, we’d take that. We’re just grateful to get on the right side of it.”

The physical toll of the contest was obvious throughout, with players on both sides picking up heavy knocks. Upperchurch Drombane were without Paudie Greene, while Paddy Phelan lined out despite being far from fully fit.

“Paddy was probably only at 70 percent, but there was nothing stopping him playing today,” Ryan said. “That just shows how tough the game was. Lads going down with knocks, lads coming off with cramp, taking a bit of time, then coming back on again to do a job for 10 or 15 minutes. That’s what you need, you need a panel.

“In fairness, the lads who came off the bench made a difference as well, and probably got us over the line.”

One of the defining moments arrived late in normal time when Ryan’s brother, Gavin, stood over a pressure free from outside the 45 metre line.

“It took serious courage for Gavin to take that on,” Keith recalled. “He was actually down on the ground after taking a knock. I just picked up the ball and threw it to him. I said, you have this in your locker, not a bother to you.

“He’s nailed those frees since he was 10 or 11. He’s an unbelievable free-taker. I didn’t have one bit of doubt in him.”

Even then, the drama was far from over. Upperchurch Drombane surged clear at one stage in extra time, only for Tooreen to strike twice in quick succession and set up a frantic finish.

“We were seven or eight points up, and next thing two goals go in,” Ryan said. “You’re thinking, please God, not let this happen. But in fairness, we stuck to the task, defended from the front and tried to get that ball out.

“That just shows the calibre of Tooreen. They just didn’t die. That’s huge character from them, and thankfully we held out.”

The final whistle sparked scenes of joy that extended well beyond the pitch, with the entire parish swept up in the occasion.

“I don’t think there’s anyone left in Upperchurch or Drombane today,” Ryan smiled. “Whatever we do, hurling or outside of hurling, everyone just backs each other. You’re truly grateful to be a part of it.”

For Ryan, the day was capped by the moment every club hurler dreams of, climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift silverware in front of family, friends and teammates.

“It was unreal,” he said. “You look down and see all the panel, the management, and half of Upperchurch there. It’s quite emotional. It’s a day that’ll live with me for a long, long time. It probably won’t sink in for a while yet, but it’s unreal.”

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