‘The ingredients were always there’

WHEN the name Alan Costello was first mentioned as the new manager of Tinahely you just knew that the GAA world in that part of the county was about to change for the better.

Young, intelligent, enthusiastic, a proven track record, Tinahely needed someone with those attributes and more to get them back to the top table as quickly as possible.

A failed attempt ot two and you can lose a decade in the blink of an eye.

Alan Costello was perfect for Tinahely and Tinahely was perfect for him.

‘First thing I want to say about Tinahely people is that they’re incredibly passionate people down there, they love their football down there and from January 2 on that was very evident. I have to say I couldn’t speak highly enough of the people down there. They’ve been very good to me, very good to my family,’ said the Mayo native after he watched Stephen Dillon lift the cup.

‘Overall, I knew the pedigree was there. There’s massive, massive steel in Tinahely. They’re great guys to work with. I have to say their commitment to the cause this year was brilliant, second to none. A very good committee (in place) and a great underage structure. I can’t thank them all but there’re so many people to thank and to acknowledge.

‘I always felt the ingredients were there. There’s a nice blend of experience and youth, a lot of quality. And we’ve a very good management team, we all have defined roles, we play to our own strengths and I suppose it’s just a case of bringing it all together and injecting a bit of belief into the thing.

‘Again, I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. They play a great brand of football. Today was a dogfight, it was always going to be low scoring and a war of attrition, a low scoring game, you know finals are often like that. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with this group, mentors, players, committee, everybody,’ he said.

It seemed from an outsider’s piont of view that Costello brought belief to this Tinahely team but the former Éire g Greystones manager was adamant that that belief and pride was already there.

‘It’s the people, they have it themselves, they’ve great pride in themselves, the club, the people they represent. Our mantra this year was to work hard, be honest and to commit. Everything that’s been asked of them theyv’ve doubled their efforts and they really are a super bunch.

‘It doesn’t happen by chance. They’re just great people to work with. They bought into it and we’ve worked extremely hard. We’re all football people and we just wanteds to maximise our potential and do the best we can’.