Louth GAA club | Finn: I couldn't be happier

Hunterstown Rovers' David Finn scored the decisive point that sealed victory and secured the club’s third Louth Intermediate Football Championship in a tough battle against Stabannon Parnells at DEFY Páirc Mhuire this afternoon.

Finn couldn’t hide his delight at the final whistle. Speaking after the game, he said: “I don't think we ever do make it easy to be honest. We've given these fans a bit of a tough time over the last few years.

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“We have come so close, come the semi-finals, the final last year, obviously losing in the replay. I just couldn't be happier, honestly, couldn't be happier.

“Good bunch of lads, young lads, older lads, there's a great mix there. I think it's definitely the strongest panel I've played on with this club. I couldn't be happier for all the lads.”

Finn reflected on the close encounter and the effort it took to get over the line.

“When you have the quality the boys have to kick two-pointers there in the second half, we knew that was going to be the case.

“We knew we had to be tight on our marking, but obviously Harry (Butterly) was on form at the free, so it was always going to be a tight game.

“The pitch, it was going to be a bit of a slog around the middle. You can see Cillian Taaffe getting Man of the Match here. He won a serious amount of breaking ball.

“That's what it took, just that bit of hard work and that doggedness that we have shown for the last couple of years.”

Having faced tough tests against St Kevin’s and Mattock Rangers on their way to the decider, Finn believes those challenges stood to his side.

“I think they've definitely helped two quality teams. Similar enough style of football to Stabannon today. It was just going to be a hard battle; we kind of knew that.

“If there's one thing you can say about us, we've been battle-hardened from over the last couple of years with the tough battles we've had. I think that stood to us today in the end.”

Finn’s late point ultimately proved the difference, though he admits he had no idea how much time was left.

“To be honest, I hadn't a clue what was left. It could have been ten minutes, it could have been anything. I hadn't a clue.

“It was just about the next ball, next ball. That's what we were kind of our motto the whole day. Thankfully, it was enough in the end.”

The second half was not without controversy as Stabannon's Seán Reynolds saw red to leave both sides a man down.

“I'll be honest, I haven't a clue what happened to be honest with you. I suppose that did definitely spur us on, and evened it out.

“At the end of the day, it was going to be a battle either way in that second half. Thankfully, we came out on the right side of it.”

Finn explained the victory was a testament to the character of the group and the belief instilled by the management team of Seán Barry and Seán Kelly.

“I can't say enough for the two lads. They just instilled that bit of belief in us that maybe was lacking a few years ago. You've seen that in pretty much all our performances this year. We've had some tough, tough games in Division 1 this year.

“That attitude has always been there. It's just kept coming through and coming through. I think that's just what got us over the line in the end today.”

He added that playing Division One football this season was important to his team's success ahead of the championship campaign.

“I think so, yes. You're playing at that higher standard. You're testing yourself week in, week out. It just keeps us at that level for the year. I definitely think it stood to us.”

Attention will soon turn to the Leinster Club Championship, but first celebrations will take place for securing the intermediate title.

“Absolutely 100%. We're going to enjoy this one, I can tell you that much. We'll be up on ‘The Goose’ now today. I can't wait.

“I'm sure we'll get the heads down in the next couple of weeks. We're just going to enjoy today and enjoy the next few days.”