Midfielder Eoin McEvoy hailed the mentality of new county champions Magherafelt after The Rossas held their nerve in a thrilling final at Find Insurance Celtic Park on Sunday.

Twelve months ago Derry star McEvoy had to watch on as Newbridge climbed the steps to lift the John McLaughlin Cup for a second successive season. It was a third defeat in the final for the Rossas since their last senior title triumph in 2019, a run which only increased the pressure heading into this year's championship.

Yet when the questions were asked, Enda Muldoon's men held their nerve as second half goals from Johnny McErlain, Aidan McCloskey and Cormac Murphy sealed a deserved victory and a first county medal for McEvoy.

"It means everything," said an emotional McEvoy after the 3-17 to 0-20 victory, "Since I've been in we've been knocking on this door; it's just something you always dream about, these celebrations.

Eoin McEvoy, Conall Heron, Johnny McErlain and Cahir Quinn celebrate in at Find Insurance Celtic Park. Photo by Matthew Harvey/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Eoin McEvoy, Conall Heron, Johnny McErlain and Cahir Quinn celebrate in at Find Insurance Celtic Park. Photo by Matthew Harvey/Sportsfile

"We played against Glen and saw what they did. We also played against Newbridge with what they did last year and you're looking on with a bit of envy and jealousy that they have won it.

"I was a bit too young to really enjoy that 2019 team so for us as a group to have the mentality to keep knocking on the door, knocking on the door; we have had two bad defeats in two finals but the commitment these lads have to keep knocking at that door.

"The Derry championship is so hard. There was no guarantee we were going to get back here 12 months ago. But just the commitment of the lads with players gradually getting better; we have a young team and this means everything. It means a lot too for people who have put much more effort into this club than I have, even from before I was born but personally, it's mad to play with your brother and to win the county championship."

Magherafelt's win was built on an unanswered scoring spree of 1-12 without reply either side of half-time though McEvoy admitted it took time for the new champions to settle into the final.

Magherafelt Conall Heron celebrates with friends in the O’Neill’s Derry Club Senior Championship final in Celtic Park, on Sunday. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

"Newbridge gave us the wind first half and we kind of knew what they were going to do. We talked about it yesterday, and also what we would do with the wind and against it.

"Newbridge showed that bit more calmness having been champions before. They kept the ball, didn't really rush anything. They got the ball to Oisin Doherty, they got the ball to Conor McAteer.... got the ball to their shooters and they did that very well.

"It probably took us maybe 15 minutes before we won a kick-out, but to have Conall Higgins to nail those two pointers because we had a couple of chances at the start and missed. Sometimes those are a killer but to have as special a player as Conall to nail a couple of two pointers, it gave us a good cushion.

"Even after half-time, we hadn't been in that position before, 10 or 12 up. There was so long left on the clock and we knew Newbridge were going to throw everything at it. It's easy to say keep calm, keep the ball out of contact but just the intensity, the aggression and the effort that Newbridge bring, it’s massive.

"We got a couple of lucky breaks near the end, breaks that maybe we’ve been on the wrong side of in the past but it’s just special. Boys you've grown up with, boys you’ve looked up to and your brother as well. It’s special."

Magherafelt will now meet Scotstown in the Ulster Club quarter-final on November 7th and McEvoy believes there’s plenty more to come from what is a young Magherafelt panel.

"We probably have an average age of about 21 but Shane (Heavron) and Michael (McEvoy) bring that up to 35," he laughed.

"It is a young team and we’re so happy to break that barrier and get over the line. Probably 12 months ago we were on such a high after beating Glen in the fashion we did, there were a lot of expectations on young players' shoulders, expectations we hadn't been accustomed to that.

"Last year hurt a lot because a lot of people in the club had put a lot in and to see their faces afterwards, it was just disappointment and disappointment for yourself too at not performing on the day.

"To see those same people now, people who have put so much effort and belief into you, even after those 12 months.... the support we've had since the Lavey game, the Slaughtneil game, this game... it’s been so special. We definitely would not have won that game without our supporters and I'd call on every Magherafelt person to get out over the next two weeks because it's going to be so special as well playing in the Ulster Club."