The GAA in December is always a guarantee for heartwarming moments, and last weekend was no exception as there were some iconic celebrations to accompany Gaoth Dobhair's first ever Ulster Club SFC title.
Despite horrendous conditions and disintegrating pitches, club players are still capable of producing extraordinarily entertaining encounters across the country. Here are the five things we learned from the latest games.
Kevin Cassidy finally got his just reward
In 2016, former Donegal star Kevin Cassidy retired from Gaelic football. In 2018 he returned to kick 0-2 and help his club to a one-point extra-time victory over Scotstown in the Ulster final. It is the first time a Donegal club has won the Ulster championship since 1975 and a well-deserved one.
Cassidy famously missed out on an All-Ireland medal after falling out with then Donegal manager Jim McGuinness but finally got his hands on some precise silverware. The entire parish look set to enjoy it.
Kings of Ulster🇳🇬💚🇳🇬💚🇳🇬💚 pic.twitter.com/A4xuVbuwET
— Kevin Cassidy (@KCASS7) December 2, 2018
Oh it’s home alright????#kings pic.twitter.com/BLXXrieGpc
— Kevin Cassidy (@KCASS7) December 3, 2018
Ballyhale Shamrocks make statement win
The Kilkenny kingpins roared to a Leinster title with a 16-victory at Dr Cullen Park. It finished 2-21 to 0-11 and is a record ninth Leinster title for the club. 0-9 from TJ Reid helped them on their way on they are now set to launch an almighty tilt at All-Ireland success. It will take a huge performance to stop them.
They are set for a guaranteed classic of a semi-final against Ballygunner.
Eddie Brennan thrives in unusual circumstances
Kilkenny club Graigue Ballycallan are Leinster intermediate champions after a 2-18 to 0-15 win over Portlaoise. It marked a highly unusual set of circumstances for former Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan, who hit 1-1 on the way to victory. He recently celebrated his 40 birthday but proved age is only a number with a star performance.
Brennan is also the current Laois hurling manager, so the side he overcame with his club featured players he manages with the county.
Kerry boss it at every level
The Kerry club championship is often hailed for its entertainment, but it is also brimming with quality as Beaufort secured the junior Munster title with victory over Dromtarriffe. The sides finished level after normal time but a Nathan Breen goal proved crucial.
It comes after Kilcummin won the intermediate, completing a five-in-a-row for Kerry clubs at that grade. On top of that, Dr. Crokes also won the senior provincial title last month and will face the winners of the Leinster championship in an All-Ireland semi-final.
A new dawn for King Henry
Henry Shefflin's club management career has gotten off to an outstanding start as he steered Ballyhale to county and provincial success. As Michael Fennelly told Sky Sports, he is destined for big things with his coaching career too.
I've no doubt we'll see him in a couple of years at inter-county level. Without a doubt. I'd say he has his eyes on that, even in the back of his mind maybe. It's his first year and he has a Leinster final medal which is huge.
Club is a big task, especially when he only retired last year. I don't know would I do it myself because players maybe know each other very, very well, but he took it on to be fair to him, he took a risk and here we are now, we're Leinster champions.
