No better feeling in the world.
There are few events in your life that can replicate the feeling of winning a senior county title with your club.
You will endure every emotion known to man on the actual day itself, but when that whistle goes and you realise that you have indeed gotten over the line, the delirium sets in.
Photographers know that they have an opportunity to truly capture something raw, powerful and yet, still unique.
Every championship title win is a snowflake, completely different to the others, but every one of them create moments of magic, and over the weekend we’ve selected the five best photos snapped by SportsFile.
5. County final day: Some trophy lifts are better with a little help
Ballyhale Shamrocks captain Colin Fennelly lifts the Tom Walsh Cup with assistance from Jennifer Malone after the Kilkenny county senior club hurling championship final match between his side and O’Loughlin Gaels.
Young Malone is clearly made for this job, with an excellent trophy-lift, and proudly wearing her club jersey with the players’ signatures branded on it – a true Shamrocks fan.
4. County final day: That’s it, let it all out
Pádraic Diamond releases every ounce of relief, ecstasy and passion that he has in his arsenal, as the whistle blows in the Meath senior county football final, declaring the Wolf Tones as champions over their opponents St Peter’s Dunboyne.
This has the sort of energy that can only be matched by a five-year-old belting out “Let It Go” from Frozen while riding the wave of a serious sugar rush.
3. County final day: A trophy isn’t just ceremonial, but practical as well
St Peter’s Dunboyne captain Fiona O’Neill and her six-month old daughter Sadhbh celebrate with the Joe Breen trophy after their side’s victory in the Meath county ladies’ football senior club championship final against Seneschalstown.
Snug as a bug.
2. County final day: Best seats in the house
If I were to draw you two typical fellas who love the GAA, I could not do better than this.
Mark Mullan (left) and Aidan McCarra from Scotstown, view the match programme before the Monaghan county senior championship final between Scotstown and Truagh.
1. County final day: A picture can say a thousand words
Club legend Eamonn Callaghan can’t contain his emotions as Naas win their first senior championship in 31 years. The 38-year-old has been a stalwart of the club, and I’m sure there were times he maybe thought that they would never do it.
It’s all the more impressive when you consider the fact that they haven’t had a manager since the quarter-final.
