By Michael McMullan

ST Patrick’s Maghera selector Chrissy McKaigue hailed the level of workrate and the humility within the group after securing the school’s sixth Hogan Cup.

The former Derry defender was also content they’d “balanced the books” with six titles from their 12 appearances. Losing six finals wasn’t a great record. Their mentality was about winning the games. On Monday and every day.

“It hasn’t been, at times, the prettiest but I felt in the last two games we played a lot better,” he said.

“We probably showed signs of it in the semi-final but our Achilles’ heel has been missing chances all year.

“The biggest compliment I can give this group is they’re the best Gaelic football school at u-19 in Ireland,” he added.

McKaigue also felt the group hadn’t reached their potential. There was more to give. Monday was, “decent at times” but they never fully transferred their training ground form to match day.

“That just shows you what’s in that group,” he pointed out. Had they taken a few more chances, Monday’s final could’ve opened up.

“It turned out to be a wee bit nervy and cagey. I’ve been there myself, when you’re so dominant and you’re missing chance after chance after chance.

“It’s only normal to think this might not be your day, but it’s a testament to the boys. They held their composure and we did enough.”

McKaigue said his side was the most hardworking side in Ireland. There were forks in the road. The MacRory Cup quarter-final win over St Mary’s Magherafelt was significant, a team he felt were justified as competition favourites.

There was also the comeback after two Abbey goals in the final but McKaigue felt the time spent in the dressing room at half time in their semi-final with St Patrick’s Armagh was the biggest turning point. They could’ve slipped out.

“The game shouldn’t have been played,” he said. “We were coming out in the second half facing a hurricane and that is not over-exaggerating.”

Holding Armagh scoreless, despite playing into a gale, told him there was something special in the group. It turned out that way. There other factor was the team’s mantra. All 38 players were treated the same.

“I’ve been part of groups before that that’s been talked about and it’s lovely on a sheet of paper on the wall but we actually lived that and valued that,” McKaigue said.

“I know that as long as I’m involved in the school and as long as Willie (McAteer), and Sean Marty (Lockhart) and Ollie Cummings, that’ll be our mantra. Humility first. Team first. No ego.

“You look at the best teams in any world sport, that’s what it is. It’s team first, it’s no ego and an unbelievable desire to graft and work hard.

“There’s a lot of confidence that comes from that. When you’re going into every match this year and you’re knowing that no team has worked harder than you, it’s a fairly good place to be.”

The management were selling and the players bought. Between training, gym session and video work, they met over 150 times in a more condensed season than in the past. McKaigue was referencing how the MacRory Cup final would’ve been traditionally played on St Patrick’s day.

“They were at every session,” he added. “The bottom line is we needed that work. I just think special things happen when you have a group that’s willing to do that. Sacrifice means something and it’s a bit harder to give up when you give so much.”