Palatine forward Shane O’Neill was jubilant after Pals first ever AIB Leinster Club Championship win over St Pats of Wicklow.
Why wouldn’t he be? It was a magical night in Netwatch Cullen Park where the Carlow side blew away the opposition on a scoreline of 2-14 to 0-8.
The second goal came from Thomas Sheehan, however it was Conor Crowley’s goal on the stroke of half time giving Palatine a seven point lead at the break that really instilled the belief in Pado Flynns side.
Speaking to Oisin Langan after the game, O’Neill credited many factors for the win;
“This is an unbelievable day for us. In 2015 and 2016 , we were after a couple of long years without (the county title), so obviously we celebrated and then draw did not help us with Portlaoise and Vincents. So we had the extra week off, we really put the shoulder to the wheel, training has been very very good, we really upped it.”
“That is an effort from 1 to 30, along with the backroom team and the club committee and juvenile coaches. It was a massive massive effort. Everyone is so happy, that is as good as it gets”
Well done to Palatine on the win V St Pat’s in the Leinster senior club football championship in NCP on a score of 2-14 to 0-8. Excellent team performance! Well done to all involved! @Carlow_GAA @PalatineGAA pic.twitter.com/86Pad941Yk
— Pat Ahern (@pgahern) October 23, 2022
Along with live commentary on KCLR, the game was broadcast live to the nation on RTE, and O’Neill was proud to be an ambassador for Carlow football in front of the country;
“We worked really hard in fairness. After the county final we said we are going at this. We did not have a win, and we are too big a club`now to not be pushing on and get this win. “
“Obviously the fact it was broadcast to the country, we wanted to show everyone on a national level what we are about. We love football and there is too many dedicated lads not to do this competition justice.”
Listen back to the game below:
