Lee Feeney admitted it was "an honour" to lift the Steel and Sons Cup with Bangor and emulate the achievements of the late, great Frankie Wilson.
Feeney's Bangor came from behind to beat Dunmurry Rec 2-1 in Saturday's showpiece final at Seaview.
Goals from Ben Arthurs and Adam Neale turned the final on its head in North Belfast, and deliver a fourth Steel success for the Seasiders.
Read more: Bangor come from behind to earn Steel and Sons glory at Seaview
It also saw Feeney celebrate his first trophy since becoming the club's first-team manager in June 2020.
"It was relief at the end, especially after going 1-0 down. But we dominated that match and played in their half the whole game," the former Rangers star said.
"The boys played really well but just couldn't find that opening goal. But once we got the equaliser we kept plugging away.
"I knew we would score, but credit to Dunmurry. I can see why they got to this stage.
"They applied themselves well and it was a tough game.
"Even after going 1-0 down, I knew we would finish the game strongly. We had big Ben Arthurs who came back from injury, and Jordan Hughes came on as well.
"I always felt we would score, and I was never panicking. You saw the opportunities we had, and if we had a bit more luck then we could have been more comfortable."
Reflecting on winning the prestigious Christmas trophy, Feeney added: "It is great to get some silverware. I have been in this job two years. I had a wee bit pf pain last season, but I enjoy a challenge.
"And I want to win as much silverware as possible. On a professional note it is an honour to win that trophy.
"We have to use this as fuel to drive us on this season. We had heartache last season with the play-off and the Steel and Sons semi-final.
"Hopefully we have tasted some success that it drives us on for more. We have people in there who have won things before and we want to turn them into serial winners."
Feeney is the first Bangor manager since Frankie Wilson to lift the Steel and Sons Cup.
Wilson - who died in October - guided the Seasiders to the trophy during the 2011/12 season.
"My name is on the list now with Frankie Wilson as being a Bangor manager who has won the Steel and Sons. And it is an honour for me," Feeney said.
"Frankie won it with Bangor and it is a pleasure to be associated with that."
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