AS David Desmond walked up the Hogan Stand steps in Croke Park with his daughter Leona, he might well have thought: it won’t get better than this.

But the Kilbrittain veteran has no intention of hopping off the train just yet.

‘Oh yeah,’ the 40-year-old goalkeeper replied when asked if he would go again in 2026.

‘Bring it on. Absolutely. One more year. We’re into the new year now, so sure why not?’

This journey to county, Munster and All-Ireland honours has created memories that will last a lifetime, not least in Croke Park last weekend.

‘In years to come, when Leona gets to look back at all this, that’s just going to make it extra special. Hopefully she’ll be happy to say that her dad played in Croke Park,’ Desmond said.

‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d play in Croke Park. I was thinking to myself at the start of the year that if I got to play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, I’d have been a happy man.

‘To go on and win a Munster, an All-Ireland and play in Croke Park was incredible.’

Club secretary Marion Twohig, captain Philip Wall and treasurer Oliver O'Brien in Kilbrittain Hall. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

When the group returned to Kilbrittain village on Sunday evening, a sea of black and amber greeted the players at the hall.

‘The place was rocking on Sunday night,’ Desmond smiled.

‘When we arrived back around 6.30pm – the bonfires, the crowd – you could hardly get into the hall because there were so many people. I have never seen the like of the support when we got back. We were blown away.

‘It was just an unbelievable week. We couldn’t believe it. This is exactly why I’m still playing. To go up to play in Croke Park with all my family there on Saturday – a couple of my cousins were playing, my brother Damien was a selector, and the goalkeeping coach Terry O’Regan has been unbelievable over the last two years.’

It was a special occasion not just for the team, but for the Desmond family too.

Along with brother Damien, David has cousins on the team in Aaron Holland, Josh O’Donovan and Keith Hunt. From his wife Emma serving as club PRO to his uncle Dermot Hayes as club chairman, it has been a memorable rollercoaster for the family.

The team were also honoured at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin on Saturday night, receiving a heroes’ reception.

Enjoying the homecoming were Sarah Hurley, Eilish O'Donovan, Carmel Hurley and Annette Hurley. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘To go back to the hotel afterwards for a banquet with over 500 people, it was something else,’ Desmond said.

‘The place was hopping, what a night we had, and the celebrations are still going strong. I’d imagine they’ll go on for a few days yet. That’s what it’s all about, the joy.

‘Winning an All-Ireland in Dublin with all your friends, family and really the whole Kilbrittain parish – that’s something we’ll remember for years. We’ll be talking about it for years to come.

‘I was only telling the lads how lucky I am to get to play in Croke Park with them. They are amazing young players. They were saying that when we have a 20-year reunion, I’ll be in my 60s and they’ll all be touching my age now. It’s unreal.’

So when the dust eventually settles, how will the group reflect on an extraordinary season?

The next few weeks will be great to sit back and relax. We can even watch back a few games. The memories from the last 12 months, it still hasn’t sunk in yet,’ Desmond said.

‘There has to be a bit of a comedown over the next few weeks. When we get back to reality, our first hurling league game is on March 7th, so I reckon Joe (Ryan) will be on the texts soon telling us to get the gear ready again. But over the next few weeks, we’ll reflect on the last 12 months and really drink it all in.’