On the way they passed the chimneys of the Pigeon House, painted in the club colours.
The atmosphere was crackling in Parnell Park. Packed terraces and stands.
The wind was howling around Donnycarney. It was not the day to be travelling on the old Mail Boat to Holyhead.
The goalposts were rattling in the gale. It was a reminder of the conditions when Kilmacud won the All-Ireland in a Croke Park storm back in 1995.
Children held on tight to their flags as they gave the teams a guard of honour when they emerged from the pavilion.
Bertie arrived in. Dessie Farrell shook hands with Robbie Kelleher.
George Hutton sang the National Anthem. His father played minor football for Derry.
George plays with Phil Coulter. And Phil himself was among the audience.
It was an afternoon for short, precise passing. And working the ball as close to the hall door as possible.
A punt from distance was very likely to land on the first tee at Clontarf Golf Club.
Cuala hadn’t been involved in the big day since 1988. You wouldn’t have known it.
They settled so quickly as they attacked the scoreboard end. Looking as comfortable as if they were in their carpet slippers watching the Sunday Game.
In the match programme, Cuala joint-captain James Power said he’d like to meet Usain Bolt.
It looked like Bolt had been training the team. Up and down Killiney Hill. They looked so fit.
There was also a picture in the programme of Mick Holden and Mick Fitzsimons. Role models for the generations.
In the first half, Crokes had to show the patience of a chess champion. As they moved the ball across the board. Hoping for a gap in the hedge
Cuala sat deep, soaking up the pressure. And when Cuala took hold of the ball, they sped up the field like the last tram for Dalkey.
They were working the ball so well. Sure, swift hands. Players arriving at pace on the shoulder. And in space in front of them. Like a relay runner holding out their hand for the baton.
Cuala took some tidy points. The standard was set by centre half-back Charlie McMorrow, who judged the elements to perfection. Bending it like Beckham for the first score of the day.
Cuala’s half-time dressing-room was smelling of sweet perfume. 0-7 to 0-2.
But character is so much part of the Stillorgan DNA. Rory O’Carroll is one of the most admired footballers in the city. Crokes began to chip away at the lead.
Con O’Callaghan of Cuala celebrates with his mother Ríonach
It was close and tense. The excitement was bubbling like a witches’ brew at Halloween.
There were three points between them when Paul Mannion gathered the ball wide left.
He hit a monster cross-field pass. Many felt the breeze had driven it off course.
But a Crokes voice in the stand shouted: “No, it’s a perfect pass.”
And so it was. Right onto Luke Ward’s gloves. He almost burst the net with his strike.
The Crokes’ manager, Robbie Brennan, punched the air with joy.
The four-in-a-row was back on.
The sides were now level. Most would have thought that Kilmacud would be the most likely to push on. Especially when Cuala went down to 14 men.
But the Cuala choir just got louder and louder.
And Cuala held their shape, and their nerve. A feature of their play all during the campaign.
And a tribute to their management, and the boss-man, Austin O’Malley.
Austin played for Mayo and Wicklow. He was a Billing’s Boy. Winning the Dublin Senior Football Championship title with UCD in 2006.
He played a vital role that night at a thronged Parnell Park as UCD pipped St Vincent’s by a point.
He is a highly impressive young manager. Dave Billings would commend his football philosophy. It’s all about the collective. Inviting everyone to the party. Just like Dave did out in Belfield.
Dave would have savoured the last couple of chapters here.
Cuala kept plugging away. Their joint-skipper, Luke Keating, clipped over a couple of high-pressure kicks with that trusty left peg.
Luke had been doing that for decades. He lives in Balbriggan now. The journey to training is no hardship.
Cuala manager Austin O’Malley celebrates after the game
James Power stated that Colin Corkery is his favourite footballer. Even the Leeside legend would have struggled to convert the kicks that Luke did.
As the game ticked into injury-time, it looked quite possible that it would end in a draw. And a replay.
But Eoin Kennedy’s winning point will be framed forever on the pavements and the roof-tops of Hyde Road.
Keating’s free from a difficult angle on the right was batted away. Eoin pounced with his hand of God. And a priceless fistful of dollars.
It was 0-14 to 1-10 when the final whistle blew. The green sod turned into the Red Sea.
Happiness bounced across the turf. Many thought of those who laid the first Cuala bricks.
Mickey Sheanon looked on. The great Dublin goalkeeper, Damian Byrne, was congratulating all-comers.
Cillian Dunne was earning the praise. His grandfather, Peter, was another Cuala pillar.
“I’m sure Pete was looking down on him today,” declared Derek Dunne, Pete’s son and Cillian’s father.
“We are all just so proud,” declared Peter Duffy, who played splendidly alongside Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne at midfield.
“We have all worked so hard for this. It’s history for the club.
“We got such tremendous support today. It means so much to us. It’s such a privilege to be a part of it,” added Peter as he was smothered in ‘well done’ embraces. And a thousand hand-shakes.
The players lingered on the pitch. One follower remarked to a player.
“I suppose you can rest up now for a few days.”
“No way,” came the reply. “We’ll be back training hard for Leinster.”
A few years ago, the Cuala hurlers provided many a picnic on the road.
Now the footballers will hope to do the same.
As James Power and Luke Keating lifted the trophy, the Crokes players stood and applauded. The way that great champions do.
They have had some run. Joining the exclusive Dublin Hat-Trick Club.
Robbie Brennan is off on a new adventure. All will wish him well.
Like the Cuala hurlers, Crokes have had some memorable years travelling all over the country.
Outside the ground, the traffic was heading down the Malahide Road. Red and white flags on the cars.
All were anxious to return to the coast for the homecoming.
The Cuala Hall was packed. Des Cahill was on stage.
In came the heroes with the Clery Cup.
In the town they love so well.
