By John Harrington

The photographs don’t lie, a torrent of motion was released from Paul Finlay’s chest when the final whistle blew in the Monaghan SFC Final and Ballybay were crowned champions for the first time in 10 years.

There was joy, obviously, and relief too that at the age of 39 he had finally managed to win the big prize again after such a long wait.

But it wasn’t long either before Finlay’s thoughts turned to his late father Kieran who passed away in 2012 a few months before Paul won his first senior county title with Ballybay.

Back then the regret that he couldn’t share the moment with his father was a bit rawer than it is now, but it’s still there all the same.

Kieran Finlay would have loved nothing more than to watch his son follow in his footsteps by winning a county championship with Ballybay, and it would have meant just as much to Paul to share the moment.

“He's never too far away in any given moment of the day, it doesn't have to be a county final,” says Finlay of his father.

“I was very close to him. But, yeah, definitely the days leading up to the match and then when you get over the lines he's very much in your thoughts.

“He would have loved to have been around to witness it. My son happened to be playing at half-time on the county final day in the Under-9s so I think he maybe would have taken more pleasure from watching him than me. It wasn't to be, but, look, I suppose that's life and you have to maybe move on.

“That's all we have these days, thoughts and memories of him, and that's what you have to cherish.”

Throughout his childhood, Paul followed his father to countless training sessions and matches and along the way developed a shared passion for the game.

He’s setting the same example now for this three sons, and there was a lovely moment after Ballybay’s Monaghan Final win over Scotstown when one of them, Aaron, helped him up off the ground to share the joy with his father.

“There were loads of lovely moments captured a couple of weeks back and that was one particularly one that seemed to get a bit of attention,” says Finlay.

“Yeah, it was nice. It's something you don't plan and those are the best moments when you're not trying to make it happen. I guess that's what the GAA is and that's why we look at videos and go to games, you're looking to try to find something to inspire you, and I've always taken huge inspiration from my Dad.

“From my early days growing up and relishing every opportunity I got to spend with him and practice and him helping me practice. That can only be my hope, that my young fellas can maybe want to play and want to have me involved. I'll certainly give them every opportunity.

“It was something very special and lucky to be able to experience that and have one of my children there. All three boys were at the game with my wife and the rest of my family, my mum and my sisters and my brother Kevin.

“That's what the GAA is about. That you're lucky enough to be able to enjoy those moments with your close family and all the surrounding community as well.”

At the relatively ripe age of 39 Finlay is still playing some brilliant football and is a key cog in the Ballybay side that will now play Armagh champions Crossmaglen in the AIB Ulster Club SFC first round on Saturday.

He retired from inter-county football six years ago, but has still managed to keep both his body and mind honed to still perform at a high level. How has he done it?

“I think there's a lot of factors at play,” says Finlay. “Your family life needs to be right. If you have kids which I do at home, I'm lucky my wife is supporting me all the time and wanting me to keep playing and do what keeps me happy, healthy, and fit. That's a big part of it.

“I think your work, wherever that's happening that has to be right too. If you have a massive commute that gets tougher and tougher every year. Then being part of a committed group of players is important too.

“Of course there's a lot to be said as well for looking after yourself and sports science and everything. I don't delve too far into that myself personally, I just know down through the years you try to keep yourself ticking over an in as good a shape as possible.

“I've never taken a huge step away from the game apart from a few weeks here or there. You'd be afraid of stepping away for too long and not being able to get back and get your fitness levels back up there. That would always be a fear in the back of my head.

“There's a lot of things that need to be right in order to keep going, and that's just not the same for everybody. But if you can tick all the boxes you can keep going and stick at it.

“Injury-wise, I haven't had anything too severe, thankfully, that has curtailed me or forced me to take a break from the game so that's another huge positive for me.”

The last time Ballybay played in the Ulster Club Football Championship in 2012 they fell at the first hurdle after coming up against a very good Kilcoo side. They’re underdogs again on Saturday against Crossmaglen, but Finlay is relishing the challenge.

“You never go out doing anything other than wanting to give a good account of yourself," he says.

"Ballybay, we haven't been at this stage so nobody can say that we should do this or we shouldn't. Crossmaglen, on the other hand, we all know what they have in their locker in terms of tradition and experience at this level.

“It's a huge task that awaits Ballybay this weekend, but all we can do is prepare as best we can and hopefully try to deliver a performance that we know we're capable of and see where that gets us.”