ON the nape of the Fermanagh hurling jersey is a scarlet shamrock with the word ‘Uallach’ underneath.
It is in memory of Shane Mulholland, Fermanagh’s corner-back who was killed in a car crash earlier this year.
The scarlet and Shamrock incorporating both his native Loughgiel and adopted club Lisbellaw into the design.
The Irish for Mulholland is derived from ‘Uallach’ which means proud.
The word fitted the man and on Saturday afternoon Mulholland provided the proud inspiration for Fermanagh to capture the Lory Meagher Cup for the first time in what was their third final appearance in four seasons.
Speaking after the game Fermanagh’s corner forward Sean Corrigan spoke about what it meant to win the Cup in Mulholland’s memory.
“It is hard to put it into words. At times there it was 12 men chasing 15. And I heard it said, I’m not sure by who, ‘if you are going to lie down think of the shamrock on your back and think again’ and it just gave us that extra few per cent to do what we needed to do.”
Fermanagh had staged a remarkable recovery. Trailing by seven points after 20 minutes of the first half it looked like the emotion of the occasion was going to paralyse their performance.
But goals were to provide the key for the Erne men. The first flicked home from Corrigan from close range after brilliant work from brother Ciaran set up the chance.
“It was important we didn't give up and today we were not going to. We had a very poor first half our standards and the goals kept us in it. We absolutely needed them and we got the breaks a bit. You don’t win championships without a bit of luck,” the elder Corrigan revealed after the game.
The goal seemed to wake Fermanagh from their shackled performance with a renewed commitment the key to their victory according to the Lisbellaw club man.
“It comes down to work rate all over the pitch. I think in the first half we gave away too many scores but we got to grips with them and in the second half we really put the pressure on when they were in possession and made them get good scores if they were going to get any scores at all.”
Corrigan has probably been Fermanagh’s best forward over the past five years but only returned to the panel prior to the Lory Meagher challenge. He has made a big difference but was quick to express his gratitude to the management team.
“I will never be able to thank Sean (Duffy) and Seamus (McCusker) enough for taking me and Matthew (Teague) back into the squad. It means a lot. We have put a lot into this over the past number of years and hopefully today makes everything worthwhile. We all love Fermanagh hurling and this was special.”
And after so many near misses and heartbreak at Croke Park in league and Lory Meagher finals this victory meant so much to this group of players and indeed to Fermanagh hurling.
“This is the sweetest feeling that I have ever had in a Fermanagh hurling jersey. The second half was an unbelievable performance. Down to 12 men by the end there it was bedlam out there but we held on thank God,” Corrigan concluded.
