Northern Ireland

Omagh CBS celebrates after St Patrick's Day victory in Hogan Cup

The Omagh CBS team celebrate their win over Sligo's Summerhill. Picture from Twitter
The Omagh CBS team celebrate their win over Sligo's Summerhill. Picture from Twitter The Omagh CBS team celebrate their win over Sligo's Summerhill. Picture from Twitter

VICTORIOUS Omagh CBS received a rapturous welcome as they returned home on Friday fresh from winning the Hogan Cup.

The school's convincing win over Sligo's Summerhill College made it double for Tyrone, coming just days after St Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore lifted the Paddy Drummond Cup.

It was Omagh CBS's second time in the traditional St Patrick's Day final, coming 16 years after they last lifted the trophy. They beat Summerhill College 6-16 to 3-8, much to the delight of the large contingent from Tyrone who'd made the trip south to Croke Park.

The Ulster champions dominated from the start, with Ruairí McCullagh, Thomas Haigney and Liam Og Mossey hitting first-half goals.

Summerhill, who were also making their second appearance in the final after finishing runners-up in 1985, struggled to match the Tyrone outfit's skill and discipline.

The Connacht side took an opportunist goal in the second half, quickly followed by a major from substitute Connor Flynn. However, Omagh CBS soon reasserted themselves with Eoin McElholm finding the net twice late on. Summerhill rallied towards the final whistle but the result was never in doubt, as the Hogan Cup returned north for the first time since 2019.

Man of the match was Ruairí McCullagh, who scored 2.2 in what was all-round virtuoso performance.

Man of the match Ruairí McCullagh. Picture from Twitter
Man of the match Ruairí McCullagh. Picture from Twitter Man of the match Ruairí McCullagh. Picture from Twitter

Team coach and former Tyrone footballer Ciaran McBride paid tribute to the young side, who are jointly managed by Diarmuid McNulty and Pat McNabb.

Omagh CBS management team Pat McNabb, Diarmuid McNulty and Ciaran McBride
Omagh CBS management team Pat McNabb, Diarmuid McNulty and Ciaran McBride Omagh CBS management team Pat McNabb, Diarmuid McNulty and Ciaran McBride

"The boys did themselves proud and ensured nerves didn't get them better of them playing at Croke Park on such a big occasion," he said.

"They're justifiably jubilant and enjoying their success, which can hopefully be continued at club and county level."

The victorious team celebrated at Kelly's Inn Ballygawley on Friday evening, where the school laid on a spread for players, staff and parents.

"It's been a fantastic few weeks for Tyrone schools with Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore winning the Markey Cup and St Joseph’s, Donaghmore's success in the Paddy Drummond Cup – that's an A,B, and C for the county," said Mr McBride.