IT IS THE reactions that struck Johnny Coen most.
That 29-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup had been a source of deep frustration in Galway hurling circles but last September’s success finally halted that losing streak.
And for the all-action midfielder, getting to witness fans responses when they brought the silverware home, prompted memories he will cherish.
“When we won the All-Ireland above in Croke Park, it was just a great celebration and it was great to have the chance to run around the pitch with the lads. There was no pitch invasion or anything like that and it was nice to be in and around the lads.
“We were thinking it was going to be something special to come back to Galway with the trophy but I think the welcoming reception in Ballinasloe and in Pearse Stadium in particular, we were just blown out of the park.
“There were huge crowds everywhere. The euphoria and the amount of joy that people were getting when you handed them the cup, they couldn’t believe it.
“A lot of people had never seen the trophy at all, it had been 29 years since Galway people had really got their hands on it. We were just delighted really with the response that the people gave us when we got back.”
Some images resonated more than most. The sight of Galway’s manager meeting his father was an emotive one. Coen could relate to it after sharing in the celebrations with his own family.
“Mícheál is a very proud Clarinbridge man, but he’s very proud of his own family as well. He’s got three young kids and they were delighted with the win as much as what I was as well.
“I was very fortunate to bring the cup home to my own parents and to my Granny as well. At the end of the day, home is where you come from and home is where the real support structure is.
“If you’re feeling down they’re the ones that are going to pick you up. I was very fortunate that when I was feeling great I was able to celebrate the victory with them as well.
“They understand what you’re going through, the amount of training that you’re doing, the amount of times that you’re putting your life on hold, as such. And to a degree they’re doing that too.
“They’ll be helping you out, be it with gear or making dinner or whatever the case may be. They really want to see me and the team doing well and when we did make the breakthrough it was great to bring a bit of joy.
“We had suffered a lot of heartache over the last few years, but to actually bring the cup home was a special feeling.”
Coen made his senior breakthrough in 2011 and had stockpiled enough games to be more of the experienced operators in the Galway side. He’d suffered enough defeats to question whether they would finally land the prize they coveted.
“I was fortunate enough to come in in 2011, John McIntyre was the manager at the time. There was an awful lot of the older brigade then and there was a huge clear-out in 2012.
“We were fierce unfortunate not to win the All-Ireland the first day in particular against Kilkenny. But you only get one crack at Kilkenny, I suppose. They really stuck it to us in the replay that year.
“I think having lost the All-Ireland in 2012 and 2015, the same collective group of players had suffered an awful lot of heartache throughout the years.
“You kind of had to look at yourself in the mirror and kind of say, ‘Is this it? Is this really going to define us or are we going to find another level within us?’
“Thankfully we did.”
After climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand once, Galway are still on course to retain that crown. They faltered the first day out against Kilkenny but made amends in the replay.
A desire to capitalise on the momentum generated from their 2017 glory is clear as they get set to face Clare next Sunday.
“I’m long enough around to know there’s huge opposition out there and if your mindset is off slightly or you think you might be okay on any given day, then you’re gone.
“With the new structure in place having two home games was a big advantage. The people of Galway really have got behind us.
“We’ve come from a very good position in the sense that we won it last year. We’ll be looking at our own performance and making sure we have our heads screwed on and that we’re tactically spot-on as well.
“If we bring our ‘A’ game there’s no reason why we can’t progress to an All-Ireland.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
