McNulty delighted with MacRory Final return

DEFENDING champions Omagh CBS are back in the MacRory Cup decider and manager Diarmaid McNulty is brimming with enthusiasm about the chance to showcase themselves once again in the final of the historic school’s competition.

It’s the centenary year of the MacRory Cup and Omagh CBS are aiming to create a significant slice of history for themselves as they’ve never managed to retain the MacRory title.

For the second year running, it will be an all-Tyrone decider with St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon waiting in the wings on Sunday week, and while it’s a results business, McNulty also says they’ll always make sure to soak in the build-up.

“Weve a team full of talented players, a squad full of talented players, and we’re delighted we’re now going to get the chance to showcase themselves in the final.

“We absolutely can’t wait, we want those boys to experience the build-up so we also know we have plenty of work to do as well.”

Omagh CBS qualified for the final by virtue of a hard-earned victory over St Mary’s Magherafelt last Friday night under lights in Coalisland. The Brothers played some great football on the night in their 2-7 to 0-13 victory, but they also showed immense character to prevail after a helter skelter second-half.

“We’re really proud of them, we stuck to the plan and came out on the right side of the result. It’s games like these where you really get to look inside yourselves and our lads really stood up. Some of our boys didn’t do much training between the quarter-final and semi-finals so I’m mightily proud of them, that they were able to have done what they did.”

Omagh CBS can call upon a number of the mainstays of last year’s panel but there’s a fresh feel to proceedings with some less familiar names playing a big part in their route to this year’s final.

McNulty commented: “It’s a new group and I’m still getting used to them as well – working out when to put my arm around them or give them a gulder! It’s important to manage players as best I can so it’s a learning experience and I’m proud of every single one of them, it’s a real team effort in every respect from 1-37 and the two kitmen.”

McNulty has been brought on board as coach of the Tyrone U20s and he’s encouraged by the fact that for the second year running, two teams from the counties have made the final.

“It’s great, I’m involved with the U20s and we’re delighted to see the quality of players that’s coming through. We’ll keep at it and hopefully it keeps on going well.”