McIver hails his history makers

At pitch-side, while watching Adrian McGuckin in the midst of an emotional captain's speech, Ballinderry manager Brian McIver collects himself to deliver initial impressions: "It was a great win, now. I mean, Nemo came back so well in the second half, and with 10 minutes to go we got the break at the right time, Ger Cassidy's goal.

"After that I thought we really opened up, held the ball well and took a couple of great scores to win the game. But Nemo are a fine side and we knew we were going to have to play really well to win the game."

McIver has been low-key and calm all year, but he admits that this win is beyond anything they might have imagined when they set out in May 2001.

"This is by far Ballinderry's greatest day, without doubt the greatest day in our history. These players will now be absolute legends in their area around the lough shore. For a small club to come - and we knew we were playing the best club side in Ireland - in the heartland of the GAA, well, what a place to win an All-Ireland club medal."

Enda Muldoon had all but achieved legendary status before yesterday.

"Well, we were a wee bit panicky when they got to within a point, but we just kept playing away at our football. You know, Nemo are a fantastic team and I do feel a wee bit sorry for them to be here two years in a row. Hopefully their day will come soon. But, I mean, we are just delighted."

Understandably, many of the Nemo players are too cut up to speak. After remaining on the field to listen to yet another opposition victory speech, they remained in the dressingroom for half an hour as Billy Morgan addressed them.

"Well, we were a point down and were well on top of it, gave away a soft goal and that really killed the game," summed up Joe Kavanagh.

"At half-time, we just vowed to keep plugging away, but they got the best start and went five up and we felt it was going away from us. But we got so far in bringing it back before the goal and that just killed us.

"We were chasing the game and a few heads dropped near the end and there was just no way back. It was devastating, but these things go against you sometimes."

And now?

"All we can do is go back again and start off in the club championship in Cork and try and get back here again. It will be hard, but that's all we can do."