This team began a journey three years ago, most of them just out of minor and the words of the then (and current) coach Bernie O'Connor, while being interviewed after a titanic struggle with Na Pairsaigh that year , still echo resolutely in my head. "I told the lads before the game that if we could win one (U-21 Championship) then with a bit of luck we could win three, but loose this one and we could loose three".

This was when the dream began and last Saturday the dream was realised. But have no doubts about it, this third final was every bit as tough as the first one, and after the first half even the most optimistic of Newtown supporters were a worried bunch. While we started well and built up and early lead, we seemed to be just about doing enough to stay in touch with a physical and committed Glen outfit. Doubts began to creep into my mind, "had this team lost its appetite after all the success of the past three years ?". After all, they were entitled to loose once !.

Following some harsh words at half time from Coach Bernie, when some home truths were put to the players, any doubts I had were dispelled after ten minutes. Newtown seemed to step up a couple of gears and the fast pace that prevailed had the large crowd gasping for air, such was the ferocity at which Newtown tore into the Glen lads. This was the best half an hours hurling I have ever had the pleasure to witness from the lads in Green and Gold and made me think that even those who had become harsh critics of Newtown and their style of play could but stand back and admire.

Here was a bunch of lads, honest to the last, not a dirty stroke to be seen, playing a brand of hurling that has revolutionised the game over the past few years, that asked for nothing, but gave so much back to the people of the parish, you are a credit.

It's not easy to pick out any one player for special mention, all of these lads have been excellent throughout the year. Ben and Jerry O'Connor have set such high standards for themselves, we expect then to perform every day and they don't disappoint us, players like the two Alan O'Briens, unheralded yet very effective nonetheless, John Paul King who always seems to have the last laugh but he was up for this one from the start big time.

But one player who stands out for me is Philip Noonan. I might be a small bit biased seeing as though he is about to become a near neighbour of mine, but for me, last Saturday he epitomised all that is good about Newtown, honest to the last with a heart of a tiger. He may have to brush up on his speeches though !!!!!