LISTEN | Young Mullinalaghta fans tell RTÉ's Brenda Donohue 'we feel like we've had Christmas already'

The pupils of St Columba's National School told RTÉ's Brenda Donohue 'we feel like we've had Christmas already' when she visited during the week to capture the festive atmosphere at the 'nursery of football' where the 2018 AIB Leinster Club senior football champions first learned the skills of gaelic football. 

Christmas jumpers were replaced by Mullinalaghta St Columba's jerseys as the wild celebrations refuse to show any sign of abating following Mullinalaghta's historic win over Kilmacud Crokes on December 9 in Bord na Móna O'Connor Park, Tullamore. 

Brenda Donohue visited St Columba's NS to record a segment for the CountryWide on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Damien O'Reilly, and it was broadcast to the nation on Saturday morning, December 22.

Principal Frances McDonnell reflected on the sense of pride following the team's amazing achievement, while Dan McElligott, father of five of the Mullinalaghta panel members and a long-time football coach at the school, said the Leinster Final triumph will be etched in everyone's memory forever. 

Shauna Rose McGivney (9) proudly explained how she was related to four of the players and she highlighted the importance of Gary Rogers' decisive penalty. 

Team captain Shane Mulligan said the players and club were overwhelmed by the huge reaction to their success, describing it as 'a bit surreal' but he pointed out that team manager Mickey Graham would be bringing them back down to earth fairly quickly after Christmas in preparation for the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday, February 16, 2019 against Dr Crokes of Killarney - an eagerly awaited fixture that will be played in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

ALSO WATCH | They've left a legacy... Mighty Mullinalaghta continue to win hearts of the nation with Late Late Show appearance

WATCH | Mná Mullinalaghta star on the 'Today with Maura and Dáithí' show on RTÉ One

LISTEN | Penalty hero Gary Rogers says Mullinalaghta victory is great for rural Ireland

ALSO READ | Half parish, total pride: The story behind Mullinalaghta's meteoric rise

#DavidvsGoliath @TheLaurelsM #Mullinalaghta @officialgaa @OfficialLDGAA And in St Columba's NS @BrendaDonohue met the kids, players, parents of players and felt all the energy in this tiny village. Coming just after 8 @RTERadio1 and watch the video on https://t.co/fSWM8uwTFB … pic.twitter.com/I3n9Rv8r8b

— CountryWide (@RTECountryWide) December 22, 2018

More great pics from St Columba's NS #mullinalaghta #Longford @BrendaDonohue with winning Captain, Shane Mulligan, Principal Francis McDonald and the school.. @OfficialLDGAA -Full story 8 in the morning @RTERadio1 ( more pics at https://t.co/fSWM8ufiO3 ) pic.twitter.com/rqTO442yhs

— CountryWide (@RTECountryWide) December 21, 2018