At long last, Mourneabbey's journey has reached its destined conclusion. On a wet and windy night in Parnell Park, the Cork club finally secured an All-Ireland win that has been some time in the making.
Beaten finalists in 2014, 2015 and 2017, thirteen years after becoming intermediate champions, Mourneabbey's ladies rounded off their supremacy with a convincing 1-13 to 1-7 defeat of Dublin's Foxrock-Cabinteely.
Eradicating a good deal of the misery from years gone by, there was an overwhelming outpouring of joy among the players, staff and fans when the referee called a halt to today's game, and Mourneabbey became All-Ireland winners.
Feadóg deireanach anseo i bPáirc Parnell
Is iad @MourneabbeyLFC Corraithe Club i bPeil na mBan - Sinsear!
Comhghairdeas dóibh!#LGFAClubs#ProperFan pic.twitter.com/FB7FGqsZub— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 8, 2018
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of this momentous win, an emotional Doireann O'Sullivan was coming to terms with what they'd just achieved.
"It's actually a dream come true," O'Sullivan said.
"We've waited five years for this, and I know it's a cliche, but you actually can't put it into words.
"I think everybody is super-emotional today, it just means so much to us."
The scorer of 0-6 for her side, O'Sullivan pin-pointed one crucial factor in finally driving Mourneabbey over the line: "We were sick of losing."
A wonderfully open interview with O'Sullivan, you can watch it in its entirety below.
Agallamh le Laoch na hImeartha Doireann O'Sullivan ó @MourneabbeyLFC
Sár Cluiche aici! @CorkLGFA #ProperFan#LGFAClubs pic.twitter.com/z8huCwLrmi— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 8, 2018
For Foxrock-Cabinteely, this evening's defeat signals a second All-Ireland final loss in three years. Understandably devestated, they will take some solace perhaps from the long road Mourneabbey have travelled to reach this point.
