THERE were tears of joy and relief on Saturday from all those connected to Dromara, as their footballers won their first Junior Championship title since 1951.
The club suffered the pain of defeat in the finals of 2011, 2013 and 2022, and the reaction to that hurt was evident on Friday night.
Manager John Fegan, who took over this year, said the reaction after the final whistle was amazing.
“I saw grown men crying, people were coming up and hugging the players. The outpouring of emotions was immense.”
He did add that for a short period the team were stunned that the long drought had come to an end.
“It was a strange feeling after the game. It was almost as if they were amazed that it had happened. There was a sense of relief that they had got over the barrier.
“These boys have been burnt so many times before, and they have made so many sacrifices.
“There have even been players who have come and gone.
“Ciaran Kelly had been playing for 24 years and had never won anything like this. But players like that had soldiered on, year in, year out.”
John, who managed Saul to the Intermediate Championship title in 2020, was delighted and surprised by the reaction.
“I have never seen a changing room like it. Everyone was so happy that they were not the nearly-men anymore.
“They saw the support that they have received. The club has been fantastic. They have facilitated the improvement.
“I am still getting messages of support about how happy everyone is.”
In the full story John talks about what was said at half time and how it changed the game.