IN HIS VICTORY speech at Parnell Park on Wednesday night, St Vincent’s captain Ger Brennan was addressing a plethora of club stalwarts on the field in front of him.
And from the podium in the main stand, he was also quick to remember someone who was not present.
Kevin Heffernan’s life was intertwined with St Vincent’s until he passed away last January. The club’s feat in subsequently winning the Dublin senior title was a fitting tribute to his memory.
Attacker Tomas Quinn lead the way for St Vincent’s as he kicked 0-5 in their victory over Ballymun Kickhams.
He was one of the St Vincent’s players who had experienced the influence of Heffernan.
“I was lucky, I came out of minor a long time ago. Myself and Kevin Golden, from this team, went straight to the intermediates and Heffo was the manager.
“It was a great education, he was brilliant. As an 18 or 19-year-old, you’re kind of in awe of him. Obviously I wasn’t born when Heffo’s Army was around but everyone knew who he was and you could just see the way he carried himself, and how he read players and read people.
“He helped me a huge amount over those first few months and you could always see him in the club over the years. I think he had a hand in everything that’s gone on and been good in Vincent’s – it’s been from his legacy.”
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Quinn, an All-Ireland winner with Dublin in 2011, called time on his inter-county career last November. This has been his first year away from that limelight with his football endeavours focused on St Vincent’s.
It’s been a different experience to grow accustomed to but Wednesday night was rewarding. Limping out of the dressing-room with a bandaged left foot could not dilute his joy.
“I don’t feel anything at the moment bar happy. Everything we’ve done all year has been worth it. It is different because I’ve been with the group all year, whereas when you’re with the county you’re in and out at times.
“This year the core club group have worked very hard. I’ve enjoyed it. I like to compete, I like to mark guys who push me. I enjoyed marking Philly McMahon over the two games. It was tough going but you push yourself against the best.”
Leinster
Their season is not over yet with a Leinster club assignment looming next Sunday. They’ll travel to Mullingar to face Westmeath kingpins St Loman’s in a quarter-final tie.
After Wednesday night’s game, the St Vincent’s players went for a recovery pool session before celebrating their win. Now the focus is on the province.
“I’m a big believer in that if you do achieve something, you have to enjoy it”, says Quinn. “What we do is to be enjoyed. It’s hard, we’re aware that we have a game on Sunday. We’ll be managing our bodies now and see what we can get out of it.”
