Savouring success

By Aileen Moynagh BBC Northern Ireland

What can I say? What a day! What a summer! What a team!

The inspirational Sean Cavanagh holds off Kerry's Tom O'Sullivan

Sunday 21 September, 2008 will long live in the memory of not just Tyrone Gaels, but people throughout the country.

Kerry were aiming for three in a row� Tyrone were hoping for just three.

The last time Kerry set about achieving this amazing feat was 22 years ago, in 1986.

The date, strangely enough, also 21 September and the team again were Tyrone.

Tyrone were bidding for their first ever title, but it wasn't to be. Fast forward through those barren years and they haven't fallen at the final hurdle.

For the third time in six years Tyrone have beaten Kerry and are All-Ireland champions.

I still have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

While 2003 and 2005 were unique and special in their own way, there was something extra special about this one.

When nobody believed in Tyrone, Mickey Harte did! And the boys believed in themselves.

Nobody expected anything from this team. They were done, finished, definitely not champions.

But Tyrone defied the odds and Sam Maguire is back in Tyrone.

606: DEBATE Your views on Tyrone's triumph?

I remember thinking when we were drawn against Dublin in the quarter finals it was the worst possible tie.

I'll put my hand up and admit I thought, like most others, that our summer could be over.

That is until I spoke to my dad Mickey, who's been part of the Red Hands backroom team for 20 years.

He said to me that not only would we beat Dublin, Tyrone would win the All-Ireland.

And you know what? He was right! Not only that, but he was so sure that he grew a beard in support of the boys and vowed to keep it until Sam was back in Tyrone.

Thank goodness we didn't have to wait another year! Just put it this way� I thought Christmas had come early! (At least I got the razor to it on Sunday night.)

Tyrone have had their tragedies over the years, and on a weekend full of hope and excitement tragedy struck again.

On route to Dublin on Saturday evening I got a call to say goalkeeper John Devine's father had passed away.

But this Tyrone team has spirit and faith beyond its years. Not only did this heartbreak spur them on, it gave further reason to their summer.

There is an unbreakable bond within this team. There was no way they weren't going to win on Sunday. They were doing it for John. Their teammate, their friend, their brother.

They each have played their part in what has been a tremendous year. Aileen Moynagh

Sunday was a great day. I've been to the All-Ireland final for many years now and as a child our family always went to Dublin for the All-Ireland final weekend.

But this year seemed very different from any other. The atmosphere, the noise, the excitement. Many things will be talked about and reminisced for years to come.

Brian Dooher's amazing point in the first half. His dynamic run up the sideline, untouchable by Kerry's defence. And of course his victory speech and tribute to John Devine.

The McMahon brothers - "Brothers in Arms" - the true twin towers.

Pascal McConnell's magnificent saves. He attributed one of them to John Devine.

And what about Sean Cavanagh? What a player! Definitely my choice for Player of the Year.

And how fitting to get Man of the Match after the season he's had. Although, as even Sean admitted, many of the team could be worthy of the same accolade.

I could comment on every single member of the team. They each have played their part in what has been a tremendous year.

At the banquet on Sunday night I spoke to Ciaran Gourley. While named in the starting 15, he didn't get to play in the final, but his disappointment didn't show.

The modest man told me he was just so proud and happy to have contributed in getting the team to the final.

For me, Ciaran summed up the character and support this team have for each other. They are not a group of individuals, not one of them won the All-Ireland for themselves. They did it for each other.

Stephen O'Neill has received mixed reactions over his return to the Tyrone panel. But like the others, he didn't do this for himself but for his team and his county.

He was Footballer of the Year in 2005 and played a huge part in our second All-Ireland victory.

Tyrone fans at Croke Park enjoy a third All-Ireland triumph

Without him I question if we could have done it? Imagine if Tyrone had been without Sean Cavanagh this year. It could all be very different. Stephen's back and what a talent Tyrone have when they defend their title next year.

I bumped into Peter Canavan in the wee small hours of Monday morning outside the City West Hotel.

A man who people said Tyrone couldn't win without, and he was one of the proudest men there.

He was doing an interview for BBC on the sideline before the game and had kicked a ball back to the Kerry team when it landed near him.

The hill responded with a cheer and I'm sure memories flooded back to his winning free against Armagh in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final.

Peter provided many great memories but he's very happy savouring the new ones Tyrone are providing.

So as the dust begins to settle on the weekend, the celebrations start to fade and the reality of Tyrone's accomplishment sinks in�. Thank you Tyrone for the summer.

Thanks for all the great days out and thanks for the memories� I am glad to have witnessed them all.

Here's to a bright future and to creating many more "Days like this".