GAA President Jarlath Burns dedicated the All-Ireland final to the volunteers of the GAA after his home county overcame the stiff competition from Galway to lift Sam Maguire.
The former Armagh captain highlight the sheer number of people that it takes to make days like Sunday’s All-Ireland final possible.
“If you are a parent who has put up a set of GAA posts in your back garden, this belongs to you,” said Burns, whose son Jarlath Óg Burns played in the final.
“If you are a coach, from u8 to senior, this belongs to you.
“If you are a member of a committee, at any level, that organises our games voluntarily, this belongs to you.
“If you are a linesman or an umpire at our club matches or underage games in the cold winters and wind, this belongs to you.
“If you line the pitch, cut the grass or put out flags, today belongs to you.
“If you make the tea after a game, or if you’re a teacher, who gives up your time to help our pupils develop our games, this belongs to you.
“Today is your day, because the GAA is where we all belong.”
He then went on to send commiserations to the Galway team, who seemed to always be within grabbing distance of Armagh but Aaron McKay’s goal turned the tide and they never recovered.
The Silverbridge clubman added: “But today belongs to Ard Mhacha.”
This was met by an eruption from the Armagh fans who had to wait 22 years for their time to come around again.
“Today belongs to a man who lifted the cup here in 2002 and stuck with this team in the last 10 years.”
Kieran McGeeney is currently the longest-serving Gaelic football inter-county manager and has taken Armagh from Division three league football and a five-year losing streak in Ulster to two consecutive Ulster finals and, finally, an All-Ireland title.
