Rory flew home from honeymoon to lead Dromahair to Smith Monumentals IFC Final

We're used to tales of dedication and selfless devotion to one's GAA club but Rory Kelly may have taken it to new levels when he returned from his honeymoon to make it onto the field for St Patrick's Dromahair's dramatic 1-14 to 0-15 victory over neighbours Drumkeerin in the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals, the Dromahair captain now about to lead his team into a County Final against Allen Gaels.

The Dromahair captain was a surprise absentee from the starting line-up in Shane McGettigan Park but he had good reason, a delayed flight meant Rory faced a race to make it to Drumshanbo in time for last Saturday's Semi-Final, leaving Rory understandably breathless: "I had a big week, and I just about got here. I'll have to get on to Michael O'Leary to keep those Ryanair flights on time.

"I just about made it here in the skin of my teeth getting back there this afternoon. It could have been a short marriage, I tell you, if I suggested coming back a day early! I had thought I'd floated that idea, and it didn't go down too well. So yeah, we're still married, thankfully," joked Rory after he came on and made a vital interception late on during the second half.

Rory's dedication to his team earned high praise from Dromahair manager Kenny Casey but he also said it was typical of the dedication his players have to the cause: "Rory made a huge tackle over there but Rory only got married last weekend. He went on a very short honeymoon so, fair dues to him, it was great to get him back.

"Unfortunately, his flight was delayed, he was coming back from Nice so he was late getting to the game. But Dromahair, they're amazing, they are a great team and I can't emphasise that enough. Team effort always beats any individual for me - Gary Fowley is down in Limerick, he's training away by himself. It's tough going down there. But every time he comes on, he scores and makes massive runs into space, creating lots of space for the other lads, he's so smart.

NEW RULES HAVE ADDED TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME SAYS BALLINAMORE'S SHANE MORAN

"Great to see Martin Clancy coming on, Martin's living down in Galway, comes to training the odd time. He's two hours, two and a half hours away. James Clancy came down to train on Thursday - he's living in Dublin City Centre. Fair play to the lads, its huge commitment and a great pride in the crest, they're a fantastic bunch."

The team ethos extends to Kenny's management team with the Dromahair boss keen to stress the collective nature of the set-up: "A big shout out to David Downes, to Bing Morrison and David Magee, the guys on the management team. We're all a team too. Because, if the lads kind of feel that vibe from us, we're just one big team and we're going to give it socks in the final."

SEE NEXT WEEK'S LEITRIM OBSERVER FOR MORE ON THE SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC FINAL BETWEEN ALLEN GAELS AND ST PATRICK'S DROMAHAIR