The MacRory Cup final is one of the biggest dates in the schools GAA calendar, and a bumper crowd filed into Healy Park in Omagh on Sunday afternoon for the all-Tyrone affair between CBS Omagh and Holy Trinity College, Cookstown.
Having lost four deciders since their last triumph in 2007, Omagh CBS got over the line with a 0-16 to 1-6 victory.
A well-taken first-half goal from Liam Lawn kept the Cookstown school in the hunt, as they trailed by six at the break.
Holy Trinity Cookstown score the only goal of the opening half in the MacRory Cup final. @CBSOmagh 0.09 @HTCGAA 1.03 pic.twitter.com/OkRcmYwpSI
— Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) February 12, 2023
However, Omagh proved too strong after the break and did not relinquish their lead. Ruairí McCullagh (0-5) and Conor Owens (0-4) led the scoring for the victors.
Man of the match Tomas Haigney contributed two points from play at wing-back, and was interviewed after the game by Mark Sidebottom of the BBC.
Towards the end of the interview, his mother came over to congratulate him and hand him the award for his performance. The camera - and microphone being held by Haigney - picked up a touching moment between mother and son.
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
Judging by the scenes on the field at full-time, celebrations are not likely to end anytime soon. But when things settle down, Haigney and Omagh will bid to follow in the footsteps of the last time their school claimed provincial honurs by kicking on to claim the Hogan Cup title.
After Naas CBS, St Brendan's Killarney and Summerhill College, Sligo claimed provincial titles in Leinster, Munster and Connacht respectively, the race for the All-Ireland crown promises to be a fascinating one. The Hogan Cup final takes place on St Patrick's Day.
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