Salthill Knocknacarra celebrate first county title in 14 years

In a contest that swung repeatedly in the closing stages, Culhane found the net at the death to reverse Peter Cooke's would-be winner, who had previously broken the Seasiders’ hearts more than once before.

“Incredible. I was 100 per cent sure we were done,” Hanley said.

“Maigh Cuilinn are such a strong team. There were strong favourites coming in for a very good reason. They dismantled everyone.

“Brilliant club and they came here with big form, but we know our boys over the last few years, they never die.”

Having lost last year’s final, Salthill-Knocknacarra finally got over the line in a game that Hanley, captain in 2012, felt could have gone either way.

“Last year, whilst they lost, we couldn't have been prouder. They couldn't have done any more. A bit of luck didn't go their way. They were absolutely brilliant. As good last year as they were tonight.

“Tonight, they got over the line. Last year they didn't. It's fine margins.”

Salthill-Knocknacarra had to navigate significant injury concerns, with Charlie Power unavailable after the semi-final injury, while Daniel O’Flaherty and Cathal Sweeney were struggling and Niall Hanahoe had also picked up an ankle injury.

“Four of your starters were gone. We really had to get the other lads up to a standard,” Hanley said.

“We knew they were good enough to play tonight, the boys that went in, and they showed it.”

Young players Cillian O’Toole, Michael Mullery and Colm Finnerty all played their part as Salthill-Knocknacarra demonstrated the strength of their panel against a vastly experienced Maigh Cuilinn side who had posted 21 and 30-point winning margins in their knockout wins.

Hanley also praised the impact of Culhane, whose return from injury had been carefully managed in the build-up.

“We didn't think he'd make it at all. He came on against Corofin. He has trained pretty well over the last while. We just thought we'd hold a little bit in reserve, if we could,” he said.

“If you're a corner-back, you don't want Tomó Culhane coming on fresh and it showed tonight. He's a super, accurate footballer.”

Culhane’s decisive finish added to his earlier 0-6, including a pair of first half two-pointers which inspired Salthill-Knocknacarra into taking the lead, only for Maigh Cuilinn to fight their way back into contention.

Salthill-Knocknacarra captain Daniel O’Flaherty, who was fit enough for a half-time introduction, praised his teammates’ efforts.

“The first half was pretty poor for us in terms of we just couldn't convert. We were getting chances, but we were probably snapping up some shots,” he said.

“I think just Tomó in fairness to him at the end, just a bit of composure. We got a few scores, went in ahead and that was huge.”

“Cillian O’Toole was just flying around the place. Matthew Thompson, [John] Maher, everyone was just playing a serious part there. I think we built on that momentum,” he said.

“We just never gave up, kept going until the end.”

The winning captain admitted the emotion of the occasion was overwhelming, particularly after suffering multiple final defeats in recent seasons.

“We've been staring up. I remember last year I was absolutely bawling and crying at the bottom of the tunnel,” O’Flaherty said.

“To get up those steps and to have everyone up around me. We've gone through a lot as a group, a lot of losses, but to have everyone around me and everyone climb the steps, it meant the absolute world.”

For Maigh Cuilinn manager Cathal Clancy, the narrow defeat was difficult to take, but he had no complaints about the opposition’s performance.

“Could have gone either way, yeah. And look, a terrible way to lose a game. But I think, to be fair to Salthill-Knocknacarra, they played excellently on the night,” he said.

“All their big players played really well and we can have no complaints. We've had great battles and tonight was their night.”

Clancy had expected the contest to remain in the balance until the closing stages, with both defences largely on top during a low-scoring opening period.

“We knew this was the way it was going to be. It was going to be, in injury time, it was going to be one of them games where it was in the melting pot. And that's the way it turned out,” he said.

Salthill-Knocknacarra can now celebrate a senior title built on resilience and belief, with O’Flaherty insisting the group still has plenty to aim for.

“It's just to win something is absolutely unbelievable,” he said. “We're not finished yet, we can go again next year.”