'We have to look back and say what a journey we had' - Dermot Keaveney

There are moments in sport that carve a lasting mark, not for the glory achieved, but for the heartbreak endured.   

When Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin’s captain, Dermot Keaveney, spoke after the final whistle, his words carried the weight of a team that had given their all following their 0-9 to 0-8 All-Ireland Junior final defeat to An Cheathru Rua on Saturday afternoon in Croke Park.  

“The only word that comes to mind is heartbreaking. We were in it until the end when it was 0-7 each coming into injury time,” Keaveney reflected. “I gave away a free and their goalkeeper missed the shot, then they put another one wide, so it felt like our chance was coming.”  

For so much of the game at Croke Park, Naomh Padraig appeared poised to write their own piece of history.  

A robust first-half performance, bolstered by Kevin Lynch’s immaculate free-taking and the inventive play of Caolan McColgan, had the Ulster champions leading 0-5 to 0-3 late in the opening period.  

Yet, even then, there were moments when the tide threatened to turn. An Cheathrú Rua, despite racking up 11 wides in the first half, remained within touching distance, thanks to a spirited display from Fionan Ó Conghaile and Myles Mac Donnchadha.  

“The boys looked comfortable in the first half,” Keaveney noted. “I know An Cheathrú Rua kicked a lot of wides, but I think we had a goal chance too. Kevin Lynch was brought back for some reason, but if that goal went in, we would be three or four points up and in a comfortable position.”  

After the break, the game ebbed and flowed with an intensity befitting the occasion. Lynch continued to torment the Galway side’s defence, and McColgan’s blistering pace created openings. A piercing run nearly yielded the game’s defining score, but the final ball into Lynch narrowly missed its mark.  

It was, as Keaveney described, a game of fine margins.   

“I got one of the last balls kicked in, and I thought it was a foul. Everyone in the stadium probably thought it was a foul. I thought the free would come when I stayed on my feet, but it never came, and at that point, they were a point up.”  

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An Cheathrú Rua found their winner deep into injury time, Ó Conghaile stepping up when it mattered most to sail over the decisive score. The final whistle followed moments later, confirming a bitter end for Naomh Padraig.  

“You have to give An Cheathrú Rua great credit too,” Keaveney said. “They are a top team, they are strong and physical and brought the game to us too. It was just unfortunate that we didn’t get over the line.”  

Despite the heartbreak, Keaveney was keen to highlight the positives.   

“What an achievement! We’re the first ever in the county to win the Ulster Junior title and get all the way to Croke Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t win it or get the title we were looking for, but we have to look back and say what a journey.”  

And what a journey it was — a season that saw Naomh Padraig galvanise their community, from packed outings in London to the loyal hordes who turned Jones Road into a sea of blue and gold.  

“You have to give the supporters massive credit this season,” Keaveney acknowledged. “Travelling in massive numbers to London twice and then following us to Croke Park was fantastic. It was great to see them today.”  

The challenge now for Naomh Padraig is to channel this disappointment into future success. As Keaveney put it, the road ahead is already in focus.   

“We only have three weeks off before we get back to practicing these new rules because other teams will have an advantage otherwise. We’ll be back training soon and preparing for Intermediate and Division 2 football then.”  

For all their pain, Naomh Padraig left Croke Park with heads held high — a team that fell just short but proved they belong on the biggest stage.