Stellar Omagh boys too hot to handle for Mounthawk in Hogan Cup final

“It’s absolutely sweet, those boys have worked unbelievably hard all year, and we have pushed them and pushed them," said their manager.

CHAMPIONS: Callum Daly of Omagh CBS celebrates with the cup after his side's victory in the Masita GAA Football Post Primary Schools Hogan Cup final match between Mercy Mounthawk of Kerry and Omagh CBS of Tyrone at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

All-Ireland PPS SFC (Hogan Cup) final

Omagh CBS 3-14 Mercy Mounthawk Tralee 0-11

It takes a fine team to win an All-Ireland colleges senior ‘A’ football title. Retaining the Hogan Cup is a different kettle of fish entirely, so no wonder that victorious Omagh CBS manager Diarmuid McNulty was gushing in praise of his charges at Croke Park on Saturday.

After an emphatic demonstration of their powers in a comprehensive second half dismantling of the Mercy Mounthawk challenge, the Tyrone school showcased the entire repertoire of skills at their disposal. McNulty was extremely proud of such a performance.

“It’s absolutely sweet, those boys have worked unbelievably hard all year, and we have pushed them and pushed them. People kept saying sure you have six boys from last year, but we had so many new faces as well,” he said.

“For them to experience that, and to perform that well, particularly in the second half when their backs were against the wall, I can’t even put it into words. We just outclassed them, we were just a cut above them, and we just played some of the best football that we’ve played all year in the last 30 minutes.” 

With just the minimum between the sides at half-time (Omagh leading 0-7 to 0-6), the destination of the spoils appeared to be in the melting pot, especially as the Ulster side would be starting the second half with star centre-forward Ruairí McCullagh in the sin-bin.

However, making light of the numerical disadvantage, and with McCullagh returning to the fray to plunder two goals, following an opening green flag from Paudi Dillon, Omagh CBS ran out runaway winners, with midfielder Charlie Donnelly kicking 0-5 in a superlative display.

“We have real, real leaders in the group, none more so than Callum (Daly) at six. I thought he was exceptional. Charlie and Eoin Donaghy in the middle of the field is probably the best midfield in the country at that age,” added McNulty.

“Ruairi was off, but Liam Og (Mossey) and Niall McCarney stepped up well, and Paudi took his goal really well. I nearly forgot Brian Gallagher and Nathan Farry. Paddy Lane is their go-to man, and he only scored one point from play, so that’s a testament to Brian’s ability to man-mark.” 

Vanquished Mercy Mounthawk manager Aidan O’Shea had no complaints with the end result. “Our young lads kept trying to the end, we came up against a better team today. They are very clinical, but the scoreline was harsh on us, because they punished us every time we made a mistake,” he said.

“It’s no fault on any of the lads whatsoever. The boys tried their best, but some days, it’s just not your day, and we were definitely second best today. We just have to tip our hats to Omagh, they were a better team.” 

Scorers for Omagh CBS: R McCullagh 2-2 (0-1mk), P Dillon 1-3 (0-1mk), C Donnelly 0-5, E Donaghy, L Óg Mossey(fs) 0-2 each.

Scorers for Mercy Mounthawk: P Lane 0-6 (0-1mk, 4fs), O Ferris 0-2, N Collins, S Corkery, T Kennedy(mk) 0-1 each.

OMAGH CBS: O Watson (Fintona); B Lynch (Castlederg), B Gallagher (Dromore), S McCann (Beragh); N Farry (Trillick), C Daly (Omagh), M Corcoran (Killyclogher); E Donaghy (Loughmacrory), C Donnelly (Trillick); O Teague (Dromore), R McCullagh (Loughmacrory), J Law (Dromore); N McCarney (Drumragh), P Dillon (Dromore), L Og Mossey (Gortin).

Subs: J Edgar (Dromore) for Teague (55), M Howe (Killyclogher) for Dillon (60), A McGurren (Dromore) for McCarney (60+1).

MERCY MOUNTHAWK: M Tansley (Austin Stacks); G O’Riordan (Ardfert), O McGibney (Churchill), J Fisher (Austin Stacks); P O’Halloran (Austin Stacks), B Murphy (Austin Stacks), O Murphy (Churchill); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), C O’Gara (Churchill); N Collins (Ballymacelligott), O Ferris (Ardfert), S Corkery (John Mitchels); P Lane (Austin Stacks), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), N Townsend (Austin Stacks).

Subs: K Sheehan (Na Gaeil) for Townsend (50), B Sharp (St Pat’s Blennerville) for Fisher (55), J Hoare (Kerins O’Rahillys) for O’Gara (55), T O’Sullivan (Ardfert) for Corkery (60+1), B Byrne (Austin Stacks) for O’Halloran (60+1).

Referee: D Gough (Meath).