MacRory Cup Reaction - Conor Glass

It may be this fourth campaign and his third medal but Conor Glass is soaking up the glory as much as ever.

MacRory Cup Reaction - Colum Lavery

With daughter Cara in his arms Colum Lavery's smile tells it all.  Satisfaction.  Getting off to a positive start was the key.

MacRory Final Reaction - Patrick Turner

Full backs aren't usually in the spotlight but Swatragh's Patrick Turner talks about the joy of winning a MacRory Cup and how the Dungannon game defined their campaign.

MacRory Reaction - Shane McGuigan

It's not every day you score 2-4 in a final, never mind a MacRory Final and Shane McGuigan will remember this day for the rest of his life.

MacRory Final Reaction - Patrick Kearney

In 2013 James Kearney was a MacRory winner and yesterday in Armagh it was the turn of the younger generation.  Patrick Kearney talks about playing alongside his twin brother Francis and why they link up so well.

Maghera goalkeeper Sean O'Caiside 'over the moon'

Just under two years after sustaining the dreaded cruciate injury, Slaughtneil's Sean O'Caiside doesn't take his playing days for granted and is over the moon with his latest success.

When Hughes came calling for a goalkeeper he answered the call and hasn't looked back.

Click link below...

MacRory Final Reaction - Paul Hughes

As Maghera lift a 15th MacRory Cup, joint manager Paul Hughes reflects on their latest success.  

The Derrytresk man was busy soaking in the atmosphere and fulfilling media duties after the game.  

When we eventually caught up with him standing on the Athletic Grounds sod in an empty stadium, he was still buzzing.

He pays tribute to the local clubs and their role in the success and he was already looking forward to getting back to school.

Click link below...

MacRory Preview - Paul Hughes

THE MAGHERA VIEW – Paul Hughes (Joint Manager)

He has been here so many times before but Maghera joint-boss Paul Hughes takes nothing for granted.  The Derry school is steeped in the MacRory Cup but as the big Derrytresk man points out, there has been barren years.

After dominating during the 1980s and 1990s the Derry school have only won four titles in the last twenty years and in particular there was a drought between 2003 and 2013.  The tough times motivated them to get back to the top.

“We have seen the quieter times in the school also when we had to watch the Tyrone schools have a period of near dominance and when you are on the outside it generates an extra enthusiasm to get back to the top table.”

With the media attention surrounding the competition the buzz and special atmosphere is not lost on Hughes.  “In 2012 Sean Marty [Lockhart] and Marty [McConnell] brought the buzz of MacRory back into the school and we have been lucky to have had finals in many age groups lately and across the codes.”

Like any project you need the raw materials and Hughes paid tribute to the local clubs.  “Kids come into the school with great grounding in the skills of the game.”

In the previous two encounters St Patrick’s Maghera were put to the pin of their collar and Hughes expects nothing else in the final.  The 2013 final went right to the dying moments after all. 

“They [Bessbrook] are a John Rafferty team so they will not be short of enthusiasm, heart, desire and plenty of skill.  They have come through Armagh derby games in play-offs and semi-final games and were very good value for their win over Enniskillen.”

Hughes accepts his team will be favourites but is fully aware that Bessbrook won’t stand on ceremony.  “We are guaranteed a competitive game where they will battle for everything against us and they will relish the underdog tag.”

Hughes stresses there are no easy ways to win a MacRory title.  There are no shortcuts.  He is a big believer in attitude and the competitiveness needed to succeed. 

“Add in the hype and the big occasion and there are so many things there that can take away from the level of performance that is demanded.”

This week the Maghera players won’t get any fitter, stronger or faster but the mindset will require fine-tuning.  It’s all about the gameplan. 

“Colum [Lavery] talks to the boys about things being contagious and that can include things like poor decision making.  We will need boys to be very tuned in to what their jobs and roles are for the team and stick to the game plan throughout.”

In the last two games against Omagh and Dungannon, the Derry men blew their opponents away in a couple of purple patches.  We hinted to Hughes that maybe they were saving their best for the final.

“You always hope to get the perfect show on the big day but how often does it really happen due to pressure of nerves and of course the intensity brought by the other team.”

“We have played in fits and starts and this won’t be enough to win the game on 17^th.  We will need to ensure that we get more things right more often during the game.”

Possession is nine tenths of the law and at times Maghera’s use of the ball hasn’t been at the desired level.  On other occasions they would’ve been punished.  Going into Thursday’s game Hughes and Lavery will be drumming home the simple messages.

“Our use of the ball being good all over the pitch, ensuring the ball goes dead when we are in possession to prevent the fast break, to ensure that we make good use of possession and don't allow Bessbrook to close us down easily.”

Anytime you talk to Paul Hughes it’s impossible not to be taken in by his genuine and infectious enthusiasm.  He is part of the fabric of Maghera’s GAA heritage and is relishing the opportunity to bring another title back to the school.

“The school has a particular affinity with MacRory stretching right back through to Adrian [McGuckin] establishing St Patrick's as a force in the competition. It’s a day for everyone to celebrate the work of their club representatives on the panel.”

Derry minor manager Damien McErlain scored 0-5 in the 1995 final and holds two winners’ medals and Hughes references the importance of a link between club and county. 

“Last year's Ulster Minor win with Damian was a fantastic achievement and allowed people to dream big again in the county.”

“These boys can add a MacRory then it emphasises a generation of talented players coming through, all on the back of what clubs like Glen and Slaughtneil have achieved.”

Hughes concludes by summarizing why the MacRory Cup is special.  “It’s a unique opportunity to play high level sport with their friends, boys that they have been with for maybe seven years of their school life.”

“They will all go separate ways after U6th so it is almost like the final piece in the jigsaw of their childhood before they head out into the universities, cities and workplaces of the country.”

Maghera are favourites to land a 15^th title but in the aftermath of their below par performance and a narrow play-off win against the Abbey, St Patrick’s Day in the Athletic Grounds seemed a million miles away. 

Standing outside the Maghera dressing room in The Dub that night Hughes’ opening line in his interview was “in championship all you ever want is to be in front at the end of it.”

As the clock ticks towards half past two on Thursday, Hughes will be hoping to be on the right side of the result.  A husky voice, an imposing figure, ever the competitor but a gentleman under the trademark flat cap.

MacRory Buildup - John Raffferty

THE BESSBROOK VIEW – John Rafferty (Manager)

Pic - Jerome Quinn / Ulster Colleges

The phone rings and at the other end of the line is the broad, distinctive South Armagh brogue of John Rafferty.  The Poyntzpass man was skeptical of a text message from deepest South Derry seeking an interview ahead of this week’s MacRory Final.

The current Bellaghy manager is well versed with the Derry GAA scene.  His close friend on the 1989 Sigerson winning St Mary’s team was Danny Quinn, himself a MacRory Cup winner in the blue, white and black of Maghera.

A year managing Slaughtneil added to the network of Derry contacts. Rafferty weighs it up and returned the call.  There is a trust. 

The jovial, jokey demeanor hasn’t changed a bit and you can see how it rubs off on his teams.  Paul Hughes refers to the Maghera players as ‘the cubs’, Rafferty to his Bessbrook side as ‘the fellas’ and during the interview he cannot speak highly enough of them.

Rafferty hasn’t had the best of memories from St Patrick’s Day.  In 2006 he led St Gall’s to Croke Park but they came up short against Salthill/Knocknacarra and two years ago was in charge as Bessbrook fell victim to Ciaran McCloy’s match winning save.  Two one point defeats and two tough pills to swallow.

When we mention what this week’s MacRory Final means, without thinking he automatically refers to the players.  He takes a back seat.

“Ack, it’s great for the young fellas.  If you’d offered them that in September they’d have took it with both hands.  It shortens the spring term because after Easter they’ve their exams to face so it provides a nice distraction for a couple of weeks.”

It wasn’t always like this.  When the likes of Steven McDonnell and Ciaran McKeever were pupils at Bessbrook, MacRory Cup finals were not even on the radar.  Things have changed drastically and it was driven from the school’s top brass as Rafferty explains.

“Oliver Mooney [ex-principal] suggested going into the colleges.  He made no apologies for it and wanted the boys pushed up into ‘Grade A’ football with any team that was seen to be fit.” 

Mooney got his wishes as the mindset took a change of direction and the wheels of change began to turn.  This stance then has been adopted by new leader Jarlath Burns and since entering the MacRory in 2012 they have reached two finals and a semi final.

“At that time [after 2013] people thought we were a ‘one good year’ outfit.  We have had two reasonably good years since then as well which is down to the fact the boys are keen to listen.  Once they are keen to listen and try their best, that’s success in itself, so they’ve had four successful years.”

Before a ball was kicked last September, Dungannon, Colman’s, Cavan and Maghera were being bandied about as competition winners. 

Bessbrook weren’t even considered but as the season progressed Rafferty saw something in his young team. He saw his own personality and almost a stubborn attitude, they were not prepared to accept what was perceived of them.

“St Colman’s gave us an unbelievable trimming one Friday night up in Burren and the following Monday night every child was back out at training and they trained very hard.” 

Rafferty often talks about training in the ‘mud and gutters’.  It was a dark, cold miserable evening and the majority of Ulster’s student population were in the warm confides of their own home.

“It didn’t get any better the following Saturday, we went out and Cavan beat us by 8 or 9 points as well but the following Monday the boys were still out training.”  He realised himself and Barry Shannon had something to work with.

Rafferty was never found wanting for commitment in his playing days but young people are different now.  Not everyone has that steel but after ‘two unmerciful trimmings’ this Bessbrook team proved they wouldn’t wilt.

Their sheer honest endeavor and solid coaching base from the clubs in South Armagh began to come to the fore but their championship run required it’s fair slice of luck.  Everyone needs it. As Rafferty quipped, “luck is what you are left with after you give 100%.”

Goalkeeper Mickey Murphy produced a wonder save in Clones when their game against Enniskillen was in the melting pot.  St Ronan’s Lurgan tore Bessbrook apart in the early stages and a more clinical edge could have killed them. 

Rafferty’s ‘fellas’ were still swimming against the tide but as they treaded the stormy waters they came through and now have one hand on the MacRory Cup.   

“The thing I like the most about this bunch of players is they always give you 100%.  You never get back on the bus and wish you had played a wee bit harder and I wonder what would have happened.”

When the topic switches to their opponents, Rafferty immediately makes Maghera favorites.  “Paul Hughes is about a long time and I’m sure he’ll try to box clever but any team that beats Dungannon has to accept they are favourites.”

Rafferty has been ‘well informed’ about the Derry men’s semi-final.  He rattled off Maghera’s key men from O’Caiside in goals right up Shane McGuigan and including Conor Glass.

If Glass is an inspirational leader for Maghera, then Bessbrook have a similar character in Jarlath Óg Burns.

“He’s a good captain, he gets on with it and a good lad fore by.  It’ll be a great individual battle between him and Conor Glass.   People complain about Gaelic Football being too defensive and it’ll be nice to see two fellas that are renowned for their attacking play so it’ll be a good battle in the middle of the field.”

None of his Bellaghy connections have been of any value to him.  “South Derry people are very like South Armagh people, because nobody seems to know anything about them [Maghera].  It’s a case of down around Lough Beg, whatever you say, say nothing.”

Bessbrook will be expecting to pick from a full panel but if they are to lift an historic first MacRory title, Rafferty knows what lies ahead.  He has been around the block long enough.

“They [Maghera] have great experience behind them.  They have played in 3 or 4 finals coming up through school and that fair helps young fellas but we’ll go and we’ll give it a rattle.  We can’t do any more than that.”

MacRORY FINAL MEMORIES – GERALD BRADLEY

2013 MacRory Cup Final – St Patrick's Maghera 2-5 St Paul's Bessbrook 0-10 

MacRORY FINAL MEMORIES – GERALD BRADLEY 

The 2013 MacRory triumph ended a ten year drought in St Patrick’s Maghera and they had to hold off a stern Bessbrook fight back to ensure the coveted trophy was going back to Maghera. 

Wearing the number eleven jersey and scorer of two points that day was Gerald Bradley and he relives his memories of MacRory Final day with the Mid Ulster Observer. 

MUO: What was your standout part of the day? 

GB: The 15 or 20 minutes after the final whistle and celebrating with good friends. 

MUO: What do you remember about the actual game? 

GB: Stevie O'Hara doing the ‘Mugsy’ celebration is he only thing that stands out. 

MUO: What was is like to play in the game?  

GB: Unbelievable, never experienced an atmosphere like it up until last years All-Ireland club semi- final.   

MUO: Was there any extra pressure as your team won everything up through the school?  

GB:  Yes I would say so and we wanted to make history in doing so.  Bessbrook beating us in the McCormick Cup final gave us a reality check that we would be up against it.  

MUO: Any pre match superstitions? 

GB:  None on my behalf but McConnell and Lockhart had us in our uniforms.  We were the only pupils in the school wearing them that day!  

MUO: Any advice for the boys playing in their first final? 

GB: Bit of a cliché - but enjoy it. Trust me, they don't come around too often.   

MUO: What was the last training session like? 

GB: Just a kick about then in for a meeting, the team was named and we were given the match ups.  

MUO: What about the night before the game? 

GB: It was fairly relaxed.  I watched the MacRory final from the year before.  

MUO: What was the format of the day? 

GB:  When we arrived at school that morning, we found out Neil McNicholl who was meant to start was sick, so we had to get our heads around that.  We left the school grounds with a greeting from the whole school.   

MUO: What was your pre match meal? 

GB: Chicken and pasta.   

MUO: Tell us about the feeling in the dressing rooms. 

GB: We had done our warmup at Pearse Ogs.  When we arrived at the Athletic Grounds we watched about 5 mins of the McLarnon Final then into the changing rooms to prepare.  It was all very relaxed and they were the same ones that we got beat in the year before.  Running out the tunnel was unreal, the noise of the crowd was incredible. 

MUO: Was everything still relaxed at half-time? 

GB: Yes, Big Hughes came in to give his view as did the other teachers.  

MUO: What was the feeling at the final whistle? 

GB:  Complete relief. A lot of hard work went into getting the cup home, especially in the school’s 50th anniversary.  There was deadly craic on the bus on the way home, hearing what Sidebottom said about boys and giving them abuse.  We were all buzzing for the celebrations back at the hotel.  

2013 TEAMS & SCORERS  St Patrick’s Maghera : C McCloy, C Glass, D Hughes, O Hegarty, C Mulholland, C Carville [1-0], C Gallagher, J Kearney, Peter Cassidy [0-1], C O’Doherty, G Bradley [0-2], D McFaul, Pádraig Cassidy, S O’Hara [1-1], D Tallon.  Subs : P Hagan for Pádraig Cassidy, C Convery [0-1] for McFaul, P McAtamney for Peter Cassidy 

St Paul’s Bessbrook : S McDonnell, J Cosgrove, C Boyle, K Mallon, P Campbell, D Nugent, G McCabe, A McKay [0-2], B Malone [0-1], E Burns [0-1], C McConville, C Mackin, C Nugent, C O’Hanlon [0-5], F Burns.  Subs : C Toner for McConville, C McCullough [0-1] for Mallon, M McNamee for F Burns, J Burns for Toner