Louth's hero Sam Mulroy savoured a moment almost seven decades in the making as the Wee County finally became Leinster Football champions again in Croke Park.
Mulroy’s two-pointer was a crucial moment in the game shortly after the concession of a goal to the Royals.
Memorable scenes followed as generations of Louth supporters celebrated witnessing history, while the players struggled to take in what had been achieved.
Asked what it meant, Mulroy, who scored 1-07 in the match, stated: "Absolutely everything. It means absolutely everything to me, this team and the people of Louth and I'm absolutely delighted.
"We've been on the end of Dublin's reign the last few years so that experience of playing here and trying to keep the ball at times [helped us].
"It's tiring out there on a big pitch, it's hot, so I think it stood to us the last few minutes.
"Everyone absolutely stood up today, boys coming in and showing composure. Everyone played their part and I couldn't be prouder
"It has been 68 years since Louth had their hands on the Delaney Cup. We'll enjoy tonight."
Craig Lennon was another goalscorer for Louth and praised manager Ger Brennan for helping the county go that extra step.
He explained: "Ger has been brilliant at getting us away from the noise and the distractions, how to deal with media and that sort of stuff. His experience in that was invaluable."
Tommy Durnin gave an apt and concise summation of what the Louth players had accomplished.
"We all have hopes and dreams. My hope was to play with Louth in Croke Park and my dream was to win a Leinster title. So this is just everything.
"Twelve years when I got started, we were a poor Division 4 team. But in the last five years, the character and everything has just developed through Louth.
"You see the underage success, it's just massive.
"But like today was everything. We needed a Cup and we needed to go on to the next level. And it's just an absolute dream come true. It's unbelievable."
Mulroy batted away a reference about the controversial 2010 Leinster final defeat, a moment which has haunted Louth since it occurred.
But Durnin revealed he had spoken to several players in recent weeks who played in that game and their desire to see it banished.
"They’re just sick of talking about it," Durnin said.
"They wanted us to create new history. And that's what we've done today.
"The U20s have created history. Let's hope the minors will. And then let's keep this going. We want more days like this."
