The Watty Grahams of Glen lost their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles in dramatic fashion at Celtic Park.
Newbridge claimed their first county title since 1989, disposing of the champions with Ciaran Brooks scoring the game winning point in injury-time.
Glen’s Ryan Dougan’s late goal appeared to be taking us to extra-time only to see the O’Leary’s chisel out a late, late winning point.
Newbridge joint manager Gary Hetherington cut a delighted figure after the upset win.
“For me, never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be managing a side in an Ulster campaign,” he said.
“It’ll be an honour and privilege to come up here and represent Derry.
“It’s special to beat Glen, but every good run comes to an end. Glen have been immense in Derry for the last half dozen years. They have brought Derry football on a lot more than anybody else and that’s a fact.”
Sean Young handed his side the perfect nerve-settler when he pointed in the O’Leary’s very first attack. Glen responded in the fourth minute through the unerring boot of Tiarnan Flanagan.
A trademark Ethan Doherty run and point and an Emmett Bradley free stretched the Watties advantage to 0-3 to 0-1. Patrick McMullan’s livewire attack levelled things for Newbridge who would enjoy the better second quarter.
A second Emmett Bradley free nicked the lead for Glen before three in a row handed the underdogs a 0-6 to 0-4 lead after 20 minutes. A brace from Oisin Doherty was followed up by a missile of a score from Conleth McGrogan.
Emmett Bradley’s third free stopped the rot only to see Odhrane McGlone skin his man and dissect the posts to see his side 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at half-time.
Sean Young’s second point kept his side two up at 0-9 to 0-7 after the first quarter hostilities. However, midway through the second half Glen appeared to have dealt their opponents with the killer blow when Conleth McGuckian slid home his side’s first goal after a lightning fast counter attack.
Conor Glass’ ’45 handed the champions a 1-8 to 0-9 lead.
Newbridge responded admirably. Shane McGrogan’s 50th minute goal regained the lead for the O’Leary’s before points from Mark Doherty and Conor McAteer edged Newbridge 1-11 to 1-8 ahead.
Ryan Dougan dramatically levelled matters on the hour mark, fisting a goal home from close range.
But there would be one last twist in the tale when Brooks tapped over the winner deep into injury-time to claim that elusive John McLaughlin Cup for Newbridge.
Manager Hetherington was keen to praise his players.
“Look, it’s an amazing group of players. It’s not about me or Kevin Brady (joint manager). Them boys put the work in and I’m just delighted for them. I haven’t been in management too long but this is an amazing group to work with.”
The Donaghamore man was also keen to flag up injured talisman Paudi McGrogan, who has missed the entire campaign through injury.
“I feel so sorry for Paudi (McGrogan),” he explained.
“And he was in a car accident during the week. Paudi’s an immense man for what he has done for me and Kevin since we landed. I can’t thank him enough.”
Hetherington now accepts that Newbridge are the side that teams in Ulster will now be gunning for with added pressure now on the new kingpins.
“Now there’s a target on our back for sure, but look we’ll enjoy the next few days and see how we get on,” he added.
“There’s always pressure because you want to win. There was serious pressure on us to win the Semi-Final because of what happened a year before. People say you have a free hit because it’s Glen but you still have to go and win the game.
“Ulster will take care of itself but first we’ll celebrate this win for a day or two!”
Scorers: Newbridge – O Doherty 0-4 (3f), S McGrogan 1-0, S Young 0-2, C Brooks 0-1, M Doherty 0-1, Patrick McMullan 0-1, Conleth McGrogan 0-1, C McAteer 0-1, O McGlone 0-1
Glen – C McGuckian 1-0, R Dougan 1-0, E Bradley 0-3 (3f), T Flanagan 0-2, C Glass 0-1 (1f), E Doherty 0-1, D Tallon 0-1 (1f)
Newbridge: J Gribbin, C Brooks, K Burke, M McGrogan, M Doherty, P McMullan, Conor McGrogan, C Doherty, C McAteer, S Young, Callum McGrogan, Conor McAteer, O McGlone, S McGrogan, Oisin Doherty
Subs: Aidan McGlone for O McGlone (60)
Glen: C Bradley, M Warnock, RDougan, C Carville, T Flanagan, D McDermott, J McDermott, CGlass, E Bradley, C Convery, E Mulholland, C Mulholland, C McGuckian, D Tallon, EDoherty.
Subs: J McGuckian for C Mulholland (HT), J Doherty for C Convery (39), SO’Hara for D Tallon (55)
Referee: Martin McErlane (Derry)