Northern Ireland

'Dreams do come true' as The Moy clinch All-Ireland football glory

Team members and supporters celebrate yesterday after the Moy won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Team members and supporters celebrate yesterday after the Moy won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Team members and supporters celebrate yesterday after the Moy won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

'DREAMS do come true' were the words of many GAA supporters in the Moy at the weekend after its senior footballers created a "fairytale ending" to clinch All-Ireland football glory.

In scenes never witnessed before in the village on the Tyrone/Armagh border, triumphant Tir Na nÓg players returned home to a heroes' welcome on Saturday night, just hours after re-writing the history books in Croke Park.

The main square was packed to capacity as a sea of blue and white took over with hundreds of people descending to catch a glimpse of the players.

With flags flying and crowds cheering, Tyrone stars Sean and Colm Cavanagh and their delirious teammates paraded the cup as they were brought through on an open-top lorry.

A thrilling win against Michael Glaveys of Roscommon had seen the Tyrone side secure its first All-Ireland intermediate football title.

"It's an absolute fairytale and one we will be talking about for a long time to come," said the club's PRO Collie Mackle.

As the success began to sink in yesterday, players and club members came out once again to celebrate.

Crowds of people, including many children who had been tucked up in bed when the team arrived home late on Saturday, gathered in the parochial hall.

"It's absolutely unbelievable, but at the same time, so surreal," said Mr Mackle.

"The square was absolutely jam-packed when the team came home, I have never seen the like of it before.

"There was also a symbolic moment when the senior squad stopped at the bridge before coming into the village and they carried the cups over the bridge.

"The team was then brought in on an open-top lorry and the place just came to a standstill.

"The kids were just in pure awe. For years the Tyrone team have been their heroes, but it's the Moy men are their heroes now."

Mr Mackle said the success had given the community "a huge lift".

"The team have exceeded all our expectations - never in a million years did we think we would ever get to this stage and be All-Ireland champions," he said.

"It's an absolute fairytale and one we will be talking about for a long time to come.

"If you looked at the scenes in the Moy on Saturday night, it was everyone coming together.

"They were so many people there, many I'd never seen before, but who had Moy connections, and were out to celebrate the victory."

For chairman Francie McQuade, the success had also come after several bitter blows to the club.

In 2015, the clubhouse of Tír Na nÓg GAC was badly damaged following a fire. It was believed those responsible broke a window and poured flammable liquid inside, which was then set alight.

Just months later, a gym at the club was destroyed in a second arson attack.

"What we have come through over the last few years after the arson attacks, it has been an unbelievable few years," said Mr McQuade.

"But people came out to help and got behind the club, they raised the money needed and I believe it has helped to spur the players on.

"They knew that the community was behind them, we were all on a bit of a downer, but the community spirit spurred the club to success.

"It's unreal how much this means to the club and the community."