MacRory Cup Final 2024

Message from school Principal Mr F.McConnell

I am delighted that Omagh CBS have again reached the MacRory Cup final in this centenary year for this prestigious schools’ competition.  The year 2024 is also an historic year for our school as we are celebrating 50 years since winning the MacRory Cup for the first time in 1974. We have had subsequent victories in 2001, 2005 and MacRory and Hogan Cup victories in 2007 and last year, 2023.

I wish to acknowledge the work of our coaches, Diarmaid McNulty and Ciaran McBride, who also coached last years’ successful MacRory and Hogan Cup winning team. They have worked diligently since the beginning of the school year to prepare the team to compete in the MacRory Cup competition. I congratulate the team and coaches on reaching the final and I also thank the backroom team of Cathal McKenna, Ryan Doyle, Eoghain Maguire and physio Rhea Lambe.

Our MacRory players are excellent role models for younger students, and I wish them well on Sunday, February 11^th. Their example of attending training after school or on Saturday mornings, and their openness to the coaching they have received, is an inspiration to everyone aspiring to improve or achieve. I would also like to thank parents for their support in ensuring their sons were able to attend training and games. Extra-curricular activities in schools play a very important part of school life, and I would like to thank all staff who give up their time on a regular basis to provide this experience to our students.

As a school we acknowledge the development work carried out by the fifteen clubs and their coaches over many years with the players that make up the MacRory Cup panel today. We thank them for their excellent efforts to date.

I welcome all of our supporters today, members of our Board of Governors, students and staff, and many of our past pupils who remain very loyal to the school. I would like to thank our sponsors, Peter Donnelly Coaches, Cara Daly Performance Zone, Gerard Keyes of AutoMow,  Kevin McCrystal from Tyrone Attic Stairs,  Eamon Martin of MPG Wind Services, Kieran McMullen of MacAv and Niall McCullagh of Campsie Filling Station and we acknowledge the generous support received from our local GAA clubs and business community. At a time of budget constraints, it is only with these contributions that the challenge of promoting Gaelic Games, and all extra-curricular activities within a school, is sustainable.

Finally, I wish both teams well today. I hope we will have a sporting game to celebrate the centenary final of the MacRory Cup.