St Rynagh's won their 18th Offaly senior hurling title on Sunday, coming back from seven points down in the second half against Birr to eventually win by the minimum.
Rynagh's only scored four points in the first half, finding themselves six down at the break. That lead was extended to seven by the 44th minute.
Late in the first half, Stephen Quirke entered the action and he proved to be the match winner for Rynagh's, scoring four points.
"We kept our composure and said we've got to trust each other and create the opportunities," Rynagh's manager Ken Hogan told Midlands 103.
The hallmark of it is to see a substitute coming on at half-time and getting Man of the Match.
It was a panel effort, it was a group effort. Diarmuid Horan came home. It was his dream to come back and to play with his club. He's living in Chicago, he has a business out there and is doing very well. From that perspective, I was absolutely thrilled for him.
As a group of players, they bought into absolutely everything. It took heart and guts and never-say-die. People would have questioned that in St Rynagh's.
Hogan also praised captain and goalkeeper Conor Clancy.
"Sometimes, people would be reluctant to give the goalkeeper the captaincy," said Hogan.
"I just liked his enthusiasm. I liked the way he'd smile coming in the door and his positivity. His saves kept us in the championship.
"I've yet to see a goalkeeper which such a huge influence on a year. I'd like to commend him because I didn't commend him up until now.
"I'm from Lorrha. We're striving the keep the game alive, keep the game going; every young lad that can play the game or girl that can play camogie, you want them playing.
"Rynagh's are in a lucky position now that they're double champions in camogie and hurling - that can only have a huge impact on the youngsters coming through to see their heroes out in the pitch."
Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
