New Omagh CBS team ready to make their own history under manager Diarmuid McNulty
AN immense sense of pride surrounds the members of this 2024 Omagh CBS panel which on Saturday will bid to make more sensational history by becoming the first from the school to win a second consecutive Hogan Cup.
Two MacRory Cup titles in a row have brought them to the brink of more success. They’ve lined out again in their maroon shirts and their individual club jerseys for photographs already this year, and are relishing this latest shot at success.
But that sense of pride in their achievements will remain no matter the outcome on Saturday. It’s something which has been instilled in this panel and their manager, Diarmuid McNulty is also keenly aware of his own immense satisfaction with how the players have performed on the field and represented their school off it.
“My first emotion is one of real pride in the group in terms of the work-rate that they have produced throughout this year. I suppose the fact as well that they’ve been targeted as the team to beat because of the title and the work that the boys did last year,” he said.
“But this is a whole new group and I’m really proud of how they’ve pushed on and showed the quality of players that they are. There’s 22 new faces in this team compared to 2023.
“We’re very grateful to have got through the games, particularly after Christmas when they’re back at school and there’s the risk of picking up colds and flu and different things. We had a couple of niggles in that period and are just glad to have got through that.
“St Mary’s Magherafelt knew us inside out. They had done a lot of homework, while we were starting to find our groove. But we still gritted our teeth and got through and since then we’ve been really dominant in our last two games.”
Most, if not all, of the clubs in West Tyrone, have some involvement in this Hogan Cup panel. The importance of the work carried out by the clubs, and working with them, is something which McNulty has consistently stressed. He is proud of where the players are from, and realises that the school has only really borrowed them for these campaigns.
Nevertheless, the camaraderie within the team and the panel is clear, and that sense of togetherness is something which they will hope to carry with them when the going gets tough against their Kerry opponents in Croke Park.
“To us, it’s fantastic to be representing the school. There are so many clubs involved and even within the town, we’re all part of that Omagh CBS community,” he adds.
“Everything that goes into that, from our cooks, the people who open the school and Maurice who looks after Coolnagard. All of those things are so vital in terms of the running of a semi-smooth season. We are grateful to everyone who have made so much of an effort.
“I have worked with Ciaran [McBride] this year. We miss Pat McNabb in terms of his analysis and it’s hard for him to work with the team. We’re probably short of a coach and we’re just delighted to be able to juggle everything. At this point we’re just looking forward to things in the future.
“We have trained every Saturday morning at 8am. For us I think that’s just a great way of learning some discipline and time management. It still leaves them with most of the Saturday for themselves and I feel the longer this group is able to train and then they become closer.”
The manager and the team captain are in agreement about the tight-knit atmosphere within the group currently, and it’s something which they will also aim to rely upon when the action begins in the All-Ireland final.
After that, it will be a case of concentrating on the task at hand and hoping that the systems and skills which have stood to them throughout this year will once again come to the fore in emphatic fashion.
“The boys are very comfortable with each other. It’s a great way to enjoy the school year, when you have that focus,” adds the team manager.
“If we can win, then we’d be the first Tyrone team to retain the Hogan Cup. I haven’t let my mind go there too often because we have a job to do. But if that comes, we know deep down the quality of the group and why shouldn’t they be able to make that achievement.
“It’s all about enjoying the occasion. We’ll go down on the morning, get to Croke Park and once we’re there we’ll know what has to be done.”
Now the stage is set for a shot at history. The preparations are complete, and Croke Park is ready for a game that Omagh CBS will hope goes their way.