Joe McDonagh victory made it a great end to a great week for Dan Bourke

DAN Bourke has enjoyed an incredible week on the hurling fields for Offaly. Just a week after captaining Offaly to a first All-Ireland under 20 title with a man of the match display, he made another major contribution as he helped Offaly claim an inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup victory at Croke Park on Saturday, ensuring that Offaly return to the top tier of hurling in the Leinster Championship next year.

The Durrow man virtually ran himself to a standstill at Croke Park. He eventually was replaced as the game went into injury time but not after just setting up Killian Sampson for a point that put Offaly back in the lead.

“I was absolutely knackered, the legs were gone but we got the job done. It's been some week for Offaly, it's been some week for us. There wasn't much of a turnaround and we're all knackered in there now but we'll stay going,” Dan said in the aftermath of Saturday's victory.

After winning the under 20 title the previous week and with all the hype that surrounded that win, it can't have been easy to get back down to earth to prepare for the Joe McDonagh final?

“We knew it was around the corner, so we kept the heads and didn't let loose, we stayed going and thank God we got over the line today,” he said.

He said they celebrated the under 20 success the previous weekend but quickly turned their attentions then to the Joe McDonagh Cup final.

“We were back in training on Monday morning. It wasn't too hectic the celebrations, we enjoyed ourselves and we will enjoy ourselves again,” he commented.

Offaly had to show a lot of character in the end as Laois wiped out a seven point lead before Offaly hit back with the final three points of the game.

“That is what we are built on, we're built on this heart. We lost last year so we knew it was going to be a battle and we pushed on for the last 10 minutes and that was the winning and losing of the game,” the Durrow clubman said.

Offaly return to the Leinster Championship in 2025 and for Dan and the other young players involved it is something to look forward to.

“It's massive for the county and it's massive for the guys in there, the young lads as well. We want to be winning, we want to be competing and that's where we are now,” he said, adding that the goal now was to maintain their place in the top flight.

“That is our goal anyway. From the very start of the year that is all that we have wanted to play. We were playing Division 1 in the league and it's a great experience and that definitely helped us today,” Dan said.

While the younger player have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, some of the more senior players have endured some tough times in the Offaly jersey and Dan had great praise for them.

“They are all leaders, from 1 to 15, they are all leaders and then the bench as well. You saw the impact Jack Clancy made and my brother Sam made, all the guys, it's important to have a panel and they are all great lads.”

He said they are now beginning to realise the boost they have given to everyone in the county.

“We saw it in O'Connor Park last Sunday with the crowd and we saw it out there today, it means a lot of everyone,” he said..

It has all been a bit mad in recent weeks and it must be hard to believe what is happening in the county?

“No I can't believe it. You grow up as a young lad hoping to get to the top tier and we are there now and we are going to enjoy it and do our best while we are here,” he concluded.