‘We’re going to enjoy it no doubt’- St Joseph’s Eoghan O’Flaherty on first title since 2000

Eoghan O’Flaherty’s three points all from frees on Sunday propelled St Joseph’s to their first county title since 2000 and for O’Flaherty, his first ever county title in his 18-year club career.

“It’s a very proud day. It’s an unbelievable club and there was a huge effort put in this year by Mick (Dempsey) and the management team. We’ve 30 plus lads here today and even the ladies giving us food for the last 10 or 12 weeks in the club. The whole club went crazy after the semi-final win putting up bunting and flags, they would do anything for you. It wasn’t the prettiest game for the people watching in the stands but I’m just delighted for the club, they really wanted it today and thankfully, we got over the line.”

It's only natural to be nervous in a county final and with none of St Joseph's players having participated in one before, O'Flaherty says that the relief to have gotten over the line is the sweetest part.

“I think the first 10 or 15 minutes were very cagey on our end. There were hand-passes going to ankles and just running into contact. The things we didn’t want to be doing but ultimately, we got back in at half-time a point up and we felt like we hadn’t really played yet. We didn’t play a whole lot in the second-half either but we knew we had it in the legs and we had lads to come on. James Kelly kicked two great points in the second-half, he really drove through the centre and maybe those gaps weren't there in the first-half. We got over the line and it’s just pure relief and happiness that we’ve won it.”

“I’m 18 years playing Senior club football and some of the lads on the panel aren’t even 18 yet so there’s a few generations there. For rural clubs, you might not win these too often so we’ll definitely enjoy this one and it is my home club now, we’re well settled here and we’ve two boys in the club. We’re going to enjoy it no doubt.”

‘Everybody that supports the club can be so proud’- St Joseph's manager Mick Dempsey

St Joseph's face a short turnaround with them up against Eire Og of Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park in the Leinster Club Championship on Saturday, October 21 at 7pm. The thought of Leinster never crossed O'Flaherty's mind and for him it's all about enjoying the present.

“I didn’t even know where the draw was or when we would be playing so look I’m not going to think about it for a few days. We’ll regroup maybe Wednesday or Thursday and see what the plan is there but we’ll enjoy the next two or three days. It’s been a long time coming for the club and the lads need to go and enjoy this because it might not come around for a little while.”