Special victory for John Furlong after missing last year through injury

JOHN Furlong was named Man of the Match by TG4 after Sunday's senior football final and the young centre back played a significant role in the win, particularly with an important second half point and then a crucial block from a Ciaran Cahill goal effort just as the game went into injury time.

John missed last year's defeat to Rhode through injury so was delighted to be back on the field of play this year and to play his part in Tullamore's win.

“It's hard to put into words, it hasn't sunk in yet, but it means the world to get it over the line and get it done and to get the win means everything,” he said.

He said it was a hard game to play in due to the poor conditions. “There were balls spilling everywhere and nothing really went to plan but when it doesn't go to plan you just have to get over the line and thankfully we did.”

A first half goal gave Tullamore a lead they never subsequently lost and he acknowledged that the goal was a very important score. “The goal was a big help, it gave us that bit of a cushion that we could push on a bit more and thankfully they never got back or got in front as I'm not sure we would have been able to come back.”

John played a vital role in the second half with two crucial interventions. The first was a Tullamore point after 57 minutes, the first score after 20 minutes without a score, which pushed them three points in front again.

“We were struggling for a score and the opportunity just came and I swung a boot at it and it went over,” he commented.

Then three minutes later he probably made a more important contribution when he threw himself in front of a shot from Ciaran Cahill as Ferbane pushed for a goal, the ball hitting him in the stomach.

“Yeah, when it's coming near the end and you have been dogging for the hour, you just have to put your body on the line,” he said of the important block.

This was John's second title after winning in 2021 also but he missed last year through injury.

“I didn't play last year so this is a special one to win. It is good to get back in. Hopefully we can kick on now, enjoy the week and then get back to it. We are a young team so hopefully we can put our shoulder to the wheel and show people what we have and kick on a bit more.”