Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. It would be remiss of me, as an avid GAA man, as the Cathaoirleach knows, not to congratulate Longford's under-17 team on its fantastic victory last night in Tullamore. We defeated Dublin to win our fifth Leinster minor title. It was a fantastic display which went to extra time. We stopped the capital city which was looking to win three in a row at that level. Longford is a small but proud county and we bat above our level on numerous occasions and last night was one of those occasions. We secured our fifth minor title in more than 120 years but it is our third in the past 22 years.It was fantastic to be there in Tullamore with my oldest son and to travel back to Longford for the homecoming celebration outside the courthouse in the town where, over 50 years ago, we welcomed back our 1966 National League-winning team and our 1968 Leinster senior championship-winning team. It seldom happens in a small county but days like yesterday are what the GAA is all about. It is about every county striving for that opportunity to win a title. Last night was one such opportunity and I want to send my congratulations to Enda McGahern, the manager, his management staff, all of the players and their families. They did us proud last night. I am normally 6 ft 2 in, but as I was leaving Tullamore last night I was about 6 ft 5 in. It was a fantastic display and a very proud day for Longford.