The radio and TV host, a former chairman of the southside club, said yesterday’s one-point victory over Kilmacud Crokes at Parnell Park was emotional, and it will bond the team together for life.
He said it took years of dedication from coaches and the community, to build up football at the club more used to hurling success.
“It was a big day for us, it’s a big week for us now. I can’t give you a complete report on the celebrations because they’re certainly not over,” Des said.
Cuala supporter Des Cahill joins in the celebrations at the final whistle in Parnell Park. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
“We’re expecting Monday to be better than Sunday. Lots of people took the day off today. We’re going to repeat all the stuff we were singing and talking about last night and do it all over again today.
“They’re a great group of kids who have all come through from the underage system in the club, so they were all coached by various people all the way through as 8, 12 and 16-year-olds.
“So, it’s the culmination of a lot of work, coaching and effort by all those people who looked after the players as they came through the various age groups.
“The environment is good. If they’re happy and they’re enjoying it, and if they’re looked after properly, respectfully, they’ll stick with it. You can’t beat the friendship and there’s a huge bond for those fellas.”
Con O’Callaghan poses for a photo with supporters after the final whistle in Parnell Park. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
According to Cahill, this big moment will go down in history in the club.
“This is huge because so many people have been working on it for so many years, and football was sometimes in the shadows in the club, because we’re mainly a hurling club and our success has mainly been in hurling.
“So, for the people who kept the football going when we weren’t being successful, it was a particularly special day.
“They now have a bond for life by sharing this, their history. They will always be fellas who were on that first team.
“They’ll see each other as old men that still have that link with each other. It’s a great thing, a lovely thing.
“It’s very emotional. I actually didn’t need to be drinking; I had a level of happiness that made up for any substance.
“I understand now what it’s been like for all those other clubs who are winning it down through the years as I watched on jealously,” he added.
