Paul Coggins was thrilled to lead London to their first All-Ireland JFC title since 1986 at Croke Park last Saturday.

The Roscommon native, who managed the Exiles to an historic Connacht SFC final appearance against Mayo in 2013, had taken a break from football to care for his wife Anne, who sadly passed away four years ago.

"It means an awful lot," Coggins told RTÉ after London's 5-12 to 0-17 victory over USGAA.

"I lost my wife, Anne, from Donegal, three years ago and I probably thought that was it, to be honest. I stayed away for a year and I've got two young sons.

"It's all a job. I get great support from all the families and Anne's family and my own family and from the people in London and, you know, it means an awful lot, I couldn't even put it into words.

"[The sense of community is] huge.

"That's what the GAA is about, it's the greatest game in the world but it's the community around it and since I went to London it's always been like that, met some unbelievable people and we're just over the moon."

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