As the hangovers from the weekend celebrations start to abate and sore limbs receive treatment we reflect on what is always a special occasion for Antrim Gaels.

Saturday saw All Saints claim their fourth Intermediate title. The last one came in 2011 and the Ballymena men suffered a number of painful defeats in the years since that last success including two final defeats in the previous three years

Longevity is a word often used when referring to those who have served their club well over a long period of years but much has been rightly made of the fresh bunch of youngsters who finally got the Slemish Park men over the line on Saturday.

The appointment of Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley as All Saints manager, three years ago was not universally heralded by the critics but the former Antrim county manager has silenced the critics.

New faces have been introduced and there has been a buzz about training at Quinn Park with previously unimaginable numbers turning out week after week at training as the feel good factor has taken a hold.

When I briefly spoke to the Glenullin native after the game as he shared in the excitement that only winning can bring, I pointed out to him that six of the starting side on Saturday and two of the subs had featured in that championship success over Portglenone back in 2011.

All Saints went on to defeat the Fermanagh and Cavan champions in Ulster that year before narrowly losing to Cullaville of Armagh in the semi-final after extra time in Omagh.

Sean McVeigh was a box to box mid-fielder back in 2011 and with Michael McCarry went on to serve Antrim well and the elder statesmen of the side back then are still driving their younger colleagues on by example.

Peter McNicholl has been another who refused to throw in the towel when he was afforded little game time last year and has been terrific at the heart of the Ballymena defence this year.

Emmet Killough, Paddy McAleer and Peter Pizza’ McReynolds were emerging youngsters in that championship run 13 years ago and with Rory McVeigh were member of an All Saints All County Minor B championship winning side a few years previous.

The aforementioned 8 stood proudly together for a photograph after the championship win in Toome on Saturday.

Big Sean is no longer a box to box mid-fielder but has weighed in regularly with important goals throughout the league and championship in 2024 and got another in the final against St. Teresa’s.

Michael McCarry has been restricted to appearances from the bench in recent games but kicked two frees when introduced late in the final proving once again that class is permanent.

Peter McReynolds has returned recently from a career threatening injury but like Rory McVeigh has had to be content with a place on the bench as All Saints emerging youngsters have staked their claim.

Emmet Killough continues to produce strong performances for the Ballymena side and is a vital cog in the side while Paddy McAleer has been part of the county setup for more than a decade and one again displayed his class in their Toome success with four points.

When the celebrations from Saturdays success have died down it will be back to the coal face and more training sessions under the regime of ‘Honda’ Mullan as the Ballymena side set their sights on another crack at Ulster.

For one or more of these men it could be a last hooray in the Black & White of All Saints but I wouldn’t rule out any of them being back next year as All Saints contest their first Senior Championship since 2012.