An Ulster title seemed a million miles away for a trio of Errigal Ciaran heroes just a few months ago.
Cormac Quinn, Niall Kelly and Tommy Canavan struggled together, supporting each other through dark days when injury threatened to end their seasons.
Despair often overcame hope at times of setback, but they stuck with the process of recovery and rehabilitation, drawing strength from mutual gestures of encouragement during lonely nights in the gym.
Recovery was slow but steady in the case of three key elements of Errigal’s 2024 challenge, and on Sunday those bleak moments of doubt were forgotten as they excelled in their club’s third provincial triumph.
“It’s been a long road back for many of us,” said 23-year-old defender Quinn.
“Sometimes it’s a dark place to be. You go out and play football to be on the pitch. You don’t do it to be in the gym.
“When sometimes it feels like there’s no end to it, it’s hard to find motivation, but this has always been the place you want to be and this is what makes it all worth it.”
Quinn missed the entire league campaign, and his promising county career with Tyrone stalled as a serious groin injury stopped him in his tracks.
It was only in the second round of the Tyrone Championship that he was deemed fit for action, and from that point onwards, it’s been all systems go.
“Niall Kelly was probably a year or so into his injury before I even picked mine up.
“You wouldn’t have seen it by the way he’s moving (against Kilcoo). It’s great for boys like that and it’s great for people in the club.
“It’s nice to have somebody like that to watch and take inspiration from.
“You have Tommy Canavan as well. It’s been a lot of nights where me and him have been stuck in the gym together and the team’s been out.
“It’s very hard to do that all year round but it’s days like this that make all the hard work pay off.
“There’s people looking after you. There’s your management and your physios and stuff like that making sure you’re making the progress and coming back at the right time to do this. We’re as well looked after as any team in Ireland I’d say.”
And as they savoured the joy of Ulster Club Championship success following victory over the Down giants, an entire community rejoiced.
“You just see the joy and what it means to everyone, a bit surreal to be honest but you wouldn’t be in a better place in the world.”
Errigal’s proud tradition as the only Tyrone club to have won an Ulster title added an extra layer of belief to the Dunmoyle side’s bid to conquer a seasoned provincial force, former All-Ireland champions and frequent Ulster finalists Kilcoo.
“It’s something we’re definitely proud of in the club and something we’ve spoken about is that heritage of it and having it in the club,” said Quinn.
“That’s definitely something that’s helped us prepare this week knowing that teams gone past have done it.
“It’s something we’ve looked at and always looked at since we were young.
“It’s massive and it’s special for the growth of the club and you’ll see what it means.”
It’s been a long season for Errigal Ciaran, and there’s no time to rest on laurels, with a Tyrone Division One league semi-final coming up this weekend, and a possible appearance in the decider a week later, ahead of an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Munster champions Dr Crokes of Kerry early in the new year.
“You can’t beat playing football. It’s a year of this, starting out in a gruelling pre-season but this is what you do. You play football to win and you’re always there to compete.
“We’ll not worry about the All-Ireland final now for a week or so.
“It’ll come in its due course and when it comes around we’ll be prepared for it to give it our best crack.”
Peter Og McCartan’s immense contribution in the closing stages, which included a spectacular winning point, pushed Errigal over the winning line as 14-man Kilcoo finally relented.
“Peter Og, what an effort from him winning that free for Tommy and then putting that magnificent winner over himself. He had a class game. He’s been a really big player for us all year.
“When the pressure was on us there he definitely stood up. In fairness to Kilcoo, they were a man down but they held the ball really well.
“I think Ben McDonnell had a massive turnover when they held the ball for three or four minutes and that really gave us the juice to go on and win that free.
“It’s players like that and players that maybe aren’t getting all the spotlight that really give us the edge. Massive to have them.”
