ALL-IRELAND winner Aidan Nugent paid a glowing tribute to the Cullyhanna supporters for never losing faith in the team during a few difficult years.
Nugent’s 1-3 in the first half of Sunday’s All-Ireland Intermediate final win over Cork’s Cill na Martra proved decisive as the south Armagh men eased to a 1-8 to 0-7 victory in Croke Park.
It was the end of an unforgettable journey for the St Patrick’s club having lost virtually a whole team to retirement, injury and travel a few seasons ago.
When the club slipped into intermediate level last year it prompted the return of several key players.
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“Credit to our supporters,” said Nugent, “we didn’t win a game for two years straight and there was never a day where the clubhouse was empty after a game.
“They supported us through thick and thin and that’s something special to the club.
“There were tough times with the team getting relegated but once you knuckle down and you get a set of boys commit to one thing it’s a lot easier to reach the heights that we’ve reached.”
After claiming the county title with a bit to spare, they entered the provincial and national stages and never conceded a goal the whole way through.
Nugent says he’s looking forward to the next few days to reflect on Cullyhanna’s remarkable triumph – and he plans to take full advantage of the week off county boss Kieran McGeeney has given him, Jason Duffy and Ross McQuillan.
“I think over the next few days when I’m just sitting with the boys is what I’m looking forward to – because after every win, we’d enjoy it for a night and then you’re getting ready for Tuesday, whereas now there is no Tuesday or no Thursday.
“I’m looking forward to sitting back and taking it all in. That’s when it will sink in, and when we realise what we’ve achieved.”
The county ace also felt the affection of not just the people of Cullyhanna but across Armagh ever since they entered the Ulster Intermediate phase of their tumultuous journey.
Over the past few years Cullyhanna has lost some stalwarts, with the management team hoping that the team’s success helped shorten the winter for those grieving.
“Even outside of Cullyhanna you were talking to people who’d lost loved ones over Christmas that are from Armagh and they’ve told us that the football has given them a massive lift,” Nugent said.
“So, it makes you think what it’s done for Cullyhanna people who’ve lost loved ones.”
The Orchard men host Louth in their Division Two opener on Saturday January 27, with Nugent hoping to push himself into the frame.
He endured a wretched 2023 with Armagh, suffering hamstring trouble and was always playing catch-up.
Now, injury-free, he’s hoping to bring his excellent club form to Armagh’s promotion tilt.
“We’ll use it as a positive. You’re coming off an All-Ireland and you get momentum like that, so you want to take the confidence from that when you go back in. I’m injury-free and I hope it stays like that.”