TYRONE GAA legend Stephen O’Neill entered the history books at the weekend after becoming the first inter-county footballer to win All-Ireland titles at all levels.
The former All-Star rolled back the years in Co Longford as the Red Hands overcame Dublin in the All-Ireland Masters (over-40s) final.
It was a special occasion for the county’s GAA fraternity, with Eglish’s Dónal McAnallen also celebrating his first All-Ireland title with his new-born son Cormac, named for his brother and former county captain who died in 2004.
“It’s just a very happy coincidence that he was just born between the semi-final and the final and it’s a really happy occasion for the family,” said Dónal.
“Cormac won three [All-Irelands], so this completes the set for the family."
He added: “I can’t tell you how much this means. It really is so special to be able to play for the county at any level. But just to be playing with such great players.”
Missing out on playing football for around 12 years due to injury, Dónal was among a group of dedicated club players from around Tyrone who have taken the masters competition to their heart, some of them representing their county for the first time.
“There’s something about this competition that goes back to the traditional essence of the GAA,” he said.
“It’s county teams and it is competitive, but it’s without all of the commercial trappings.
“It’s just the sheer element of the participation of competition and the involvement of families.”
An authority on GAA history, the Eglish man was also able to break the news to Stephen O’Neill that he had become the first player to own minor, under-21, senior and masters All-Ireland football medals.
“I would say it’s definitely true if Dónal said it, so I’m delighted with that and proud of that fact,” the former footballer of the year told broadcaster Jerome Quinn who had live-streamed the game online.
“But it was a great team effort and I’m just happy to get the right result.”
O’Neill was among several Tyrone legends from the 2003 to 2008 golden era who took to the pitch at Monduff Park in Drumlish at the weekend.
Three-time All-Ireland senior winners Ryan McMenamin, Conor Gormley and Ciaran Gourley were also among the 40-strong panel who defeated the Dubs.
“The legs are long gone,” said O’Neill. “But at least everybody is in and around the same age bracket, so we’re all at the same fitness level. It’s competitive, it’s definitely tough.”
