There really is no love like a mother’s love.
There was an emotional moment after Sunday’s McCrory Cup final when Omagh CBS’ Tomas Haigney was congratulated by his mother Deirdre.
The wing back had just won the game, kicked two points, and been named the man-of-the-match when he caught up with his mother after the game. She presented him with his man-of-the-match award and, spurred on by BBC’s Mark Sidebottom, gave him a big congratulatory hug.
As Sidebottom himself said, ‘that really is what it’s all about.’
Tomas Haigney from @CBSOmagh wins the #MacroryCup Man of the Match award (and a hug from mum) #GAA pic.twitter.com/Enk8QaFOMz
— Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) February 12, 2023
Omagh CBS had just beaten Holy Trinity College, Cookstown by 0-16 to 1-6 to win their first senior provincial schools title since 2007.
They have lost four finals in the mean-time, but weren’t to be denied this time, with Hagney, Ruairi McCullagh and Conor Owens leading the way for Omagh, who have now won the competition five times.
McCrory Cup final day is always a colourful occasion in the GAA calendar and this renewal didn’t disappoint, the all-Tyrone affair paving the way for a carnival atmosphere in Healy Park, Omagh.
From here, they will hope to follow in the footsteps of St Michael’s College Enniskillen and St Ronan’s of Lurgan who backed up their MacRory Cup triumphs in 2018 and 2019 with Hogan Cups later in the year.
The Hogan Cup is the All-Ireland at this grade and with Omagh joined by Naas CBS and St Brendan’s Killarney – both of whom made last year’s final – and Summerhill of Sligo, it promises to be a very competitive race towards the Croke Park steps.
That final takes place on St Patrick’s day, and if last year’s final is anything to go by, it promises to be another great occasion.
