Dessie describes club success as 'best moment' yet

In his stellar football career, Dessie Dolan has enjoyed considerable success and many memorable moments. But as he spoke to the assembled media on the O'Connor Park pitch last Sunday, he suggested that winning the Leinster club senior title with Garrycastle ranks as the greatest triumph of all. In a display which earned him the official man of the match award, Dolan kicked 0-5 (one free) as his side secured a dramatic 1-8 to 0-10 victory over St Brigid's. "It's probably my best sporting moment. I know we (Westmeath) won the Leinster in 2004 but your club is special," Dolan said. "It's at times like today when you're under pressure that you know from all those years of working together what you must do. It looked bleak near the end but it shows the character we have in this squad when we could come up and get the score to win the game right at the end. "To see all the family and friends out here is incredible. You can see what it means to everyone here. There's something special about this competition. We've been knocking on the door for the last couple of years. # "It's an experienced team - David O'Shaughnessy at midfield, Seanie O'Donoghue is a super player, we brought Aidan Browne in. There are players there who know what to do when times are tough. We're years and years waiting to do this, I think that experience stood to us." As for the winning point struck by Conor Cosgrove in injury-time, Dolan explained that he was happy to leave free-taking duties to his team-mate on this occasion. "With my track record? Ah no, I wouldn't have minded (taking the kick)," he quipped, "but Conor is a left-footer and he just ran straight over and popped it over the bar. There was never a question. He is the left-footed freetaker and he played most of the year on the team. I'd say it would have been a hairy moment for everyone if I was kicking it." "To win this competition, you need strength in depth. The conditions were quite heavy, you need subs who can come on and make a difference. Conor Cosgrove will remember that moment for the rest of his life, to get the winning point in the Leinster final," added Dolan. Dessie felt that if last Sunday's game had gone to extra-time Brigid's could have gone "out the gate" as the momentum would have been with them after wiping out Garrycastle's eight-point lead. The Garrycastle ace also joked that would have had "choice words" with Wexcford referee Syl Doyle if he hadn't awarded the late free from which Cosgrove kicked the winner. Dolan felt the Dublin side got the benefit of the doubt with several decisions. A family affair The 2004 All-Star is now looking forward to facing three first cousins when the newly crowned Leinster champions meet Connacht winners St Brigid's in the All-Ireland semi-final on February 18. That mouthwatering clash will see Dessie, his brother Gary, and first cousins James Dolan and Alan Fox, in opposition to their St Brigid's cousins - Frankie, Garvan and Darren Dolan. "Christmas will be fun in the Dolan household," laughed Dessie. "There will be no love lost. You cross the white line to play football. They know that as well. I don't expect them to be extra friendly to us because they are our cousins," he remarked. "It's a great occasion for the Dolan family. We know them and they know us. It'll be tough. It's a big occasion but it's a game of football at the end of the day. We know that and they know that. "St Brigid's of Roscommon have shown the way for a long time. We were kind of looking at them in envy that they had won the titles and we hadn't. Frankie, Garvan and Darren are all super footballers and they have all been playing well for St Brigid's this year," added Dessie.