Naas manager Mullally heaps praise on his players after fifth consecutive title

Little fuss, little bother more a feeling of a job done — as expected — following the final whistle as Naas made it five senior titles in-a-row.

Manager, Tom Mullally, however said that he felt that “the fact we got through that game is a huge compliment to our own players and our own panel” adding “Coill Dubh came to win the game and you could see before the game started that the tempo was kind of high and they were here for one reason and one reason only, and I would give huge credit to our squad, they have been excellent all year and while they haven't hit the vintage stuff yet this year but I think our character, our patience showed through today, to a man they stuck together and got the job done.”

Asked about the upcoming Leinster Club (senior) when Naas will take on Laois champions, Camross, the manager's initial response was “that should be tasty” before adding “we haven't thought past today; it becomes relevant now but not before today but in no manner, shape or form up to the final whistle.

“This (championship) has been hard to win this year; lads are going to enjoy it, make the most of it and we will get down to preparations later after this week but we have the football now next week and hopefully that goes well for Naas (v Celbridge SFC final) so once we get over this week we will try and put our best foot forward, what ever that will be but today we are more than happy with what has happened, more than happy while readily acknowledging that we have to improve.

“When you are on top of your game everything goes over the bar or into the back of the net and that's a constant challenge to keep at that, five years in a row but we have been hit with injuries; our panel has been challenged over the course of this year; we had to show a lot of character and I believe we have done that.”

Ross Kelly admitted that this has been a real tough championship to win, we were tested in every match, really tested in the semi-final and even today until late in the second half we were tested; the second goal put the bit of day-light between us but up that Coill Dubh were well in it but we are absolutely thrilled and delighted to come through it.”

Man of Match, Jack Sheridan said that “it is just unbelievable and to be honest today's win is every bit as special as our first, we were made work for it in every game in this championship; we were made to work and work and work and we did, thankfully.”

The full forward admitted that Naas hit a lot of wides, a lot of wayward shots, all that was up to Coill Dubh's pressure, they came out with all guns blazing and put it up to us for the best part of 50 minutes or so.”

Asked about the five-in-a-row and the pressure it brought, Sheridan said “in our camp I can honestly say it was never mentioned once, I heard it mentioned around the town once or twice but within the camp it was never mentioned we just concentrated on the final.”