St. Pat’s Manager Paul Hasson expressed his pride in his players as they completed a league and championship double by claiming the Junior Championship title with a one-point victory over Newtownbutler in Brewster Park on Sunday.

The Donagh outfit looked to be easing to the victory as they led by six going into the final quarter, but they were hanging on by the end as Newtown hit back to within one point.

“I’m really proud of this squad and how they reacted throughout this year’s championship. Any hurdle that they’ve faced they have got over it,” said a delighted Hasson.

“We played Newtownbutler twice this year and didn’t beat them, but I wasn’t that overly concerned about the previous two games.

“As I said to the boys before the game, ‘There were no medals or trophies handed out any time we were beaten by Newtownbutler before – today is the one that matters, and it is the one you want to win’, and thankfully we did it,” he added.

St. Pat’s goal threat has been something that has been evident throughout the season and was there again on Sunday as they hit the back of the First Fermanaghs net three times in the first half.

“We go out, and to try to win and we go for the jugular.

“I thought we had controlled the game really well for three quarters, even though we could have taken another few chances.

“Every team you play though are going to get a purple patch, and theirs obviously was at the end of the game, but thankfully we had the hard yards done before that and we were able to see out the match,” he commented.

Newtown had a chance to level it at the death but James Connolly’s effort dropped wide and Hasson admits that there was great relief to hear the final whistle go after that.

‘A fantastic relief’

“It was a fantastic relief, and there was relief in the stands as well.

“There were great scenes back at the club and it was clear to see what it meant to young and old, and especially in the year that is in it, the club’s 50th anniversary year,” said the Derry native, who reflected on what has been a hugely successful year, to date, for the club.

“Any competition that we entered this year – the championship, the league and the Club Players competition – we have come out on top of so you can’t ask much more than that from a bunch of lads.

“We drilled into the players that we respect every competition that we enter, and we will go out to win every single game and really go and try and play on the front foot.

“When you have forwards like we have, and boys around the middle getting enough ball into our forwards, we will cause anybody bother,” he said.

However, the season is not over yet, with an Ulster Club meeting now on the horizon for St. Pat’s.

Derry champions Desertmartin will provide the opposition on November 28, and it is a side that Hasson knows well.

“It’s back to training now; we will get back down to the grindstone again and focus on Desertmartin in Ulster now in a few weeks.

“It is exciting times around St. Pat’s at the moment.

“I would know them very well; a good amount of Desertmartin players actually hurl for my own club, Ballinascreen.

“We are looking forward now to the challenge,” he said.