Emmet hails forwards

HE was a central cog in a superb defensive display on Sunday, but Emmet Carolan insisted it started from the front for Newtown Blues.

‘It’s unbelievabe, just deadly. The boys up top set it up working like dogs and we just had the easy job then to turn them over, but the boys up front did it all the hard work for us.

‘The boys pressed them and pushed them and they didn’t let the Gaels get into a rhythm.’

While he was full of praise for that work ethic he also felt the Blues attack showed their class and Ross Nally in particular.

‘Nally was class, the difference a lad like that makes up there is huge. I don’t think he even missed one, he’s unreal.’

Like Nally Carolan is a recent minor graduate, and he knows what winning and losing on the big day feels like.

He was determined not to experience the latter again.

‘We lost up here last year in the minor final to the Mairtins so we know what that feels like and it’s not nice. That put a bit of fire in our bellies.

‘I suppose we know how to win finals and we know to celebrate them too!

‘There’s a lot of pressure every year at this club so it’s great to get over the line. 21 now...22 next year!’