'It just shows what can be achieved!'

As Caitriona Toner made her way out of the winning dressing room after taking in the cup in to her teammates, rings of “Lavey Lavey Lavey” rung around as I caught up with a girl that simply could not stop smiling. 

The joy of what had just happened was so evident. “I am on cloud nine right now - I cannot put into words what this means,” she said. 

“That game could have went either way, it’s going to take some time to sink in - it’s just amazing.

“Dungloe are an amazing side and they are going to have a very good future.”

Toner, who is a sister of county star Niall as well as her teammate Eilis, played a captain’s part scoring a massive goal to get her side back into the contest and then kicking what was to be the winning point. 

“My first of the championship too and what a good time to get it,” adding that she never felt that they could not get back into the game despite falling five points adrift.  

“I have so much trust in the girls, we have leaders all over the field and that’s what it takes. Girls really stepped up and carried the ball forward. We didn’t have as many shots as them but we had a very good successive rate.” 

The fairytale story they are writing continues and for Toner she believes other clubs can achieve it too and although it doesn’t come easy, the rewards are fantastic. 

“It just shows what can be achieved and what is possible if the work is put in. I know a number of other clubs in Derry are thinking of entering senior teams. Put in the hard work, we have worked so hard for this, hasn’t been easy but we are going to enjoy our reward.

“We came here to win today and we believed we could. In training, playing backs and forwards we have the likes of Laura Scullion marking Carla Collins so that’s as hard as it gets.

“We grow in confidence every game and we will go on into the All-Ireland series now. Already looking forward to the senior championship next year in Derry. Our aim is to keep improving and get to the highest possible level we can play at - thats our aim and dream.” 

What this bunch of girls have achieved is an inspiration to the younger stars coming behind. 

“I was one of the lucky ones, I got to go the primary school during the week and to see the buzz among them - you can just see how much it means to them. This success will filter through and we already have huge numbers at underage so this will even grow it more - hopefully we will be able to field two teams at senior very soon - the future is bright for Lavey 

“The coffee morning we had too, we just can’t get over the support of everyone and the numbers that turned up wishing us good luck.” 

Toner also believes Derry football is in a very good place at the moment and like everyone hopes the double success this weekend can only help get the county strong again. 

“It is great - we watched Steelstown yesterday (Saturday) and it was great for Derry to win both and hopefully this can lead into the county team and get the county team where they should be.”