AS Cork celebrated their Munster minor football triumph, Gala’s ‘Freed From Desire’ echoed around the dressing room in Páirc Uí Rinn.

The anthem is often associated with unstoppable teams in sport and, as manager Keith Ricken later explained his squad’s mantra, the choice of soundtrack seemed particularly fitting.

‘They are a very well-bonded group. There is a saying among us: if it’s unstoppable or unbeatable, which one do you want to pick? It’s unstoppable. Everyone can be beaten, but you can’t be stopped. That’s the mantra we have with the group,’ the Cork boss explained.

‘When you’re here involved in football, and you see the way football went for a few years there, you can see it’s coming back and people are playing more football. I don’t think we’ve ever had that problem at minor in the last few years. Those lads go at it and are willing to have a go. These are the things you live for, whether you win or lose.

‘There was a moment in the second half of normal time where we were slipping behind a small bit. There were moments there where I felt really proud of this group. They worked so hard and they believed in themselves.’

The memories created by this Cork minor team will live long in the memory. At the final whistle, many of the 2,066 supporters in attendance poured onto the pitch to celebrate with the players. Even with the rain falling, Cork supporters remained on the field long after 10pm on Monday night.

It was a moment of joy to savour and Ricken is a strong advocate for players embracing occasions like these.

‘This is their journey. This is their time. You’re only 17 once. It’s a lovely time in your life. I have always said that it is a special time. This is something they will look back on in ten or 15 years’ time. You forget who scored or who was on the team, but they’ll never forget how the crowd came out at the start of extra time. The crowd lifted them and carried them through,’ he added.

Barryroe's Conrad Murphy (left) and Riley O'Donovan celebrate Cork's victory. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

Coach Maurice Moore echoed those sentiments.

‘This is about the players. To see them with their families, you just sit back and watch it and it’s great to see. This is a special moment for those players who have not experienced anything like that before,’ the Rosscarbery man said.

‘It’s in their blood now, so hopefully they can take it on and develop as players for the U20s with Ray Keane and maybe further on with the seniors. We have an All-Ireland quarter-final coming up and we’ll be looking forward to that.’

Captain Joe Miskella’s acceptance speech in Irish, followed by a stirring rendition of ‘The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee’ from the stands, only added to the emotion of the night.

‘That speech from Joe Miskella was special, wasn’t it? I don’t think he got that Irish from John Miskella anyway, that’s for sure,’ Moore laughed.

‘It was special to hear The Banks being sung by the crowd. To see everyone so happy on the pitch was brilliant.

‘You could see the crowd on the pitch. This is what it means to Cork football. Hopefully the seniors will have the same passion this Saturday against Meath. There was pure passion out there from our players, but the passion from our supporters was massive too. Hopefully, going forward, Cork football can benefit from that.’