Newcastle West manager Jimmy Lee: "I'm extremely proud of this bunch of lads"

WAS it the best day in his time with Newcastle West's footballers?

Having spent almost an entire lifetime contributing to their fortunes, manager Jimmy Lee thought for a moment after his side beat Clonmel Commercials 1-16 to 1-11 after extra-time in their Munster senior club semi-final in FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday.

Newcastle West's prize for their dramatic success is a provincial final meeting with Kerins O’Rahillys, of Kerry, on December 10.

“Well, I'm young enough to remember the last time we got to the final in 1987. But yeah, this is the best day I remember with with Newcastle. And especially with players like these. They do everything you ask of them,” Jimmy Lee said

A tight match that went to extra time could have gone either way. But Lee never doubted his team.

“We spoke with them not to panic. And they didn't, not even when Clonmel regained the lead in injury time. We got the score that sent it to extra time. Ruadhán O'Connor did the business for us today even though he isn't known as a scorer.

"Our full-back Darren O'Doherty did the same in the county final. It's the way the lads play. They'll defend when they have but they'll also attack when we need them.”

Newcastle West boss Lee put it down to a team believing in their abilities.

“Those late scores, that's confidence for you. That's character for you. I'm extremely proud of this bunch of lads today. They had it in their heads they wanted to win. We know we're a good running football team and they wanted to show it.”

And with the team loaded with current and recent winners at underage, Lee sees the potential for further success.

“Today we had seventeen-year-olds and eighteen-year-olds on the field and on the bench. One of them getting the equaliser that got us extra time. Another young lad getting the goal that won it. They were with us all year, driving the others on when our leading players were away with the county.”

Ahead lies a shot at provincial glory against Kerry champions Kerins O'Rahillys. It's also a chance to make up for the Magpies' disappointing exit to Austin Stacks in last year's championship.

“We felt we played the occasion last year instead of the match. We let it get to us so we want to right that wrong. But we'll let this game sink in tonight. Maybe tomorrow we'll start looking ahead to the next one.”