Gaels Unite In Sympathy As Mc Kenna Cup Gets Underway.

Monday 17.01.2011

Club

On a week when football and life in general were put into perspective by the tragic death of Michaela Mc Areavey, GAA followers across the globe joined together to sympathise and offer support and condolences to the bereaved families. The pain of the terrible loss of Michaela has impacted on a truly national scale but is most acutely felt in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. As she is laid to rest today close to her beloved home we once again extend to her husband John, to Mickey and Marion her parents, Mark, Michael and Matthew her brothers, and to her wide family circle our deepest sympathies on her passing. Her smiling face and enthusiasm for life and all things Tyrone will be very sadly missed.

The Ulster Council held a minute’s silence at the start of The Mc Kenna Cup games over the weekend and GAA activity within Tyrone came to a standstill as a further mark of respect. In the games that did take place however, there was considerable “Tyrone” involvement in terms of playing and managing.

For Niall Mc Kenna and his colleagues playing on the Queens University team there was the satisfaction of a great win over a Monaghan team short on confidence and short on quality. However for Paddy Tally and his charges from St Mary’s a good team performance was not enough to secure a win against Antrim. However two Tyrone players in particular stood out for “The Ranch” with Gortin’s Kevin Mossey and Pomeroy’s Mark Mc Kenna both producing high quality, noteworthy performances.

The big story to emerge from that game was the debut display of Omagh St. Enda’s wing half back Dean O’Neill. In his first start for The Saffrons, O’Neill gave a fine account of himself in the half forward line and capped off a good display with an excellent individual goal which was the highlight of a good game. Manager Liam Bradley will be delighted with the Omagh man’s performance and will be hoping the Tyrone man can maintain this good form.