Kilcoo joint-captain Conor Laverty made it clear he would not be leaving the steps of Hogan Stand unless he and Aidan Branagan were joined by Mickey Moran.
"Mickey, I'm going nowhere until you come up," said Laverty as he eulogised about Moran's role in Kilcoo's All-Ireland football final victory.
A goal by Jerome Johnson at the end of extra-time saw Kilcoo defeat Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday at Croke Park, and win their first ever All-Ireland title.
It was a target which Kilcoo, the Down club from a farming area in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, had set years previous. Moran, who had led Slaughtneil to victory over Kilcoo in the 2016 Ulster final, was viewed as the man who would help them get the job done.
"Three years ago, as a group of players, we got beat in a club championship final," said Laverty.
"We thought the dream was over. We met as a group, and we identified one man that we wanted to help us get to the ultimate grail. We wanted Mickey Moran.
"Some of the players met Mickey Moran in a house in Kilcoo. We sat and talked about what we wanted to do. As we chatted, he stared me in the eye, and asked me what our ambition was as a team.
"I said to him that we're going to win a club All-Ireland. With the smallest of smiles, he looked back at me, and he says, 'I totally agree with you'.
"What this man has done for this club, we will never forget. He has cemented himself as one of the greatest managers in modern day football. Only for Mickey Moran, we wouldn't be here today. We absolutely love you Mickey, we adore you.
"It's now, Mickey Moran, the manager of the All-Ireland club champions!"
Kilcoo joint-captain Conor Laverty speech
Seo mar a labhair Conor Laverty tar éis bua @KilcooGAC i bPáirc an Chrócaigh
Comhghairdeas libh arís 🏆#TheToughest #GAA pic.twitter.com/bEPsFSaPHw
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 13, 2022
Earlier in his speech, Laverty had spelled out the journey which Kilcoo have been on over the past two decades.
"In '99, we came to Division 1 in Down," he said.
"In 2003, we won a first senior league. 2006, we won an U14 All-Ireland Féile. 2009, we won our first senior championship, along with our first minor three-in-a-row. 2017, we won a Paul McGirr Ulster U16. 2019, we became the champions of Ulster.
"2021/22, nobody can look down on this club when we're standing on the mountain as All-Ireland champions!"
Laverty said there had been three parts to that journey: The players, the supporters, and Moran.
"The players, what an unbelievable bunch of lads you are," said Laverty.
"The sacrifices that these players have made, we are the hardest working team in Ireland. Over the past three years, no one has trained harder than us. Lads, I hope you enjoy every single minute of this. We have created our own destiny legacy."
Gaelic football?
Completed it mate! #mickeymoran#granda pic.twitter.com/xfQXUW7DbT— cmore (@cmore1111) February 13, 2022
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