Shane Dowling once again fulfilled his super-sub role for Limerick as they beat Galway in the All-Ireland final. Dowling came off the bench to score a goal - Limerick's third of the game - one which proved crucial in a game his side won by just a point.
"Anyone that knows me knows that I'm not short of words," Dowling told Sky Sports after the game
"I just can't believe it, I just honestly can't believe it. It's all I've ever wanted since I was a young fella and we eventually got there. I don't know how many prayers I said there when Joe was hitting the last ball.
"It means the world to me and more importantly my family, my friends and my club."
Following Limerick's win against Cork in the semi-final, Dowling asked Limerick supporters to give players scope to focus in the three weeks to the decider. No county has ever been more worried about hype than Limerick.
After Sunday's game, Dowling told those supporters that they could now go nuts.
There were many things and I won't have time to tell them to you now. You mention the likes of Liam Kennedy; I would not be standing here right now if it wasn't for the likes of those people.
I'm going to stay one thing: I stood here three weeks ago and I pleaded with the fans to give us space and to allow us focus. I now say to the fans: Can you please go absolutely mental for the next couple of weeks?
"I dreamt of that numerous times before," Dowling said of his goal. "It's just mad and I can't believe it."
You can watch Dowling's interview with Sky Sports' Damian Lawlor below.
🏆🎉PARTY TIME 🏆🎉 It's been a long time coming, so Shane Dowling is calling on the Limerick fans to celebrate in style........ pic.twitter.com/cmlQsq5Qhu
— Sky Sports GAA (@SkySportsGAA) August 19, 2018
