SUCCESS TASTING SWEETER EVERY YEAR FOR TRIBESMEN

FINALLY getting to stand on the Hogan Stand steps, moments before lifting the Andy Merrigan Cup, Micheal Lundy wasn’t in any mood to play things down.

“We’re the greatest club team in the country”, declared skipper Lundy (above), safe in the knowledge that nobody can argue with him.

Speaking a little earlier on the pitch, and just after the final whistle, Ronan Steede explained how difficult this history making business was.

“This just gets better every year,” said the man of the match. “They (Kilcoo) came at us and could have won it, but we sat down at full-time and had a chat (before extra-time).

“Out of the three finals, that was the toughest by far. They’re a great team with a very organised defence. But it’s an unreal feeling.”

Later Kevin O’brien (below), who has managed Corofin throughout this historic three in a row run, said: “The efforts put in by people, all over the club, in schools and everything, this is probably just reward.

“To do something special that no other club has done, it’s fantastic.

“It’s a great day for our families, who allow us to do so much, go off on a Tuesday night and Friday night.

“Without that support, you wouldn’t be able to achieve it.

“It’s great for Galway as well, as a county with a new manager.”

Foreard Ian Burke added:

“The emotion at the end was something I don’t think I’ve witnessed in a long time.

“Fair dues to Kilcoo, it took us a long time to figure them out defensively.”