TWO-TIME CLARE All-Ireland winner Ollie Baker added a Dublin senior hurling title as a manager to his GAA CV tonight in Parnell Park but his overriding emotion was simply relief at seeing his Kilmacud Crokes side get over the line.
Kilmacud Crokes needed a last-gasp Damien Kelly point to force extra-time for them against St Judes before coming strong to win by four points in the additional period.
“We’re just relieved more than anything else, that’s the overriding emotion,” admitted Baker afterwards. “We were delighted to get the draw in ordinary time and then seizing that opportunity to drive on.
“Mattie Collins had to make several excellent saves to keep us in it during that match. We were hanging on by our finger nails there for long periods. We’re just delighted to be champions and we’re breathing a huge sigh of relief.”
Character
Baker hailed the character of his side.
“We’ve spoken throughout the year that there’s several ways to win matches. You learn an awful lot about yourself when you’re down. That’s probably the true reflection. We dug out a good performance and every man to a man has put in such dedication and commitment all year. We got our just reward. The lads dug deep to get a draw.
“It’d be remiss not to talk about a wonderful performance by Judes. They were absolutely phenomenal, they threw their bodies on the line and you have to take your hats off to them, how good they were.”
Baker was in charge of the Offaly senior hurlers last year but after stepping down from that position, he linked up with Kilmacud Crokes for the 2014 campaign and steered them to their second county title in three years. He described his current role as a ‘privilege’.
“I’m privileged to work with a brilliant club like Kilmacud. There’s brilliant interest in hurling out there and football as well with all the accolades. It’s a privilege for me to be involved but the players are the most important thing, they laid the foundations for the win. ”
Now Kilmacud turn their attentions to Leinster club action with a provincial quarter-final against Laois champions Rathdowney-Errill on Sunday November 2nd.
“Isn’t it brilliant to be going into the month of November playing hurling,” remarked Baker. “That’s just a brilliant thing. The evenings will be short enough coming into the winter so to be preparing for a Leinster club championship is a phenomenal feeling.
“There’s no team going in to the Leinster championship that doesn’t have ambition. We’ve a lot of players from two years ago but a lot of new young players as well who played here tonight. Performances like tonight aren’t going to be good enough in Leinster. But we’re just delighted to be Dublin senior hurling champions for 2014 now.”
