Joe sets his sights on Cross'

October 02, 2014

Omagh captain Hugh Gallagher lifts the trophy at Healy Park.
©INPHO/Presseye/Russell Pritchard.

Joe McMahon fully expects Crossmaglen to be Omagh St. Enda's opponents in the Ulster club SFC quarter-final.

Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution after finally getting his hands on the one medal that had eluded him during his decorated career, McMahon could've been forgiven for thinking Cross' had already won the Armagh SFC, such has been their total and utter dominance of the Orchard County club scene in recent years.

But, in fact, they still have two more hurdles to clear against St. Pat's Cullyhanna in Sunday's semi-final and the winners of the other semi-final between Maghery and Armagh Harps before they can start planning for a trip to Healy Park on November 2.

"They're the kingpins of Ulster and All-Ireland football, but we'll enjoy this for now, and then get ourselves re-focused. I'm not sure when that game is, but whenever it is, Larry (Strain) will have us in the right frame of mind," the 33-year-old Tyrone utility man said.

Just as they had done in the semi-final against Dromore, Omagh scored an injury-time goal through Ronan O'Neill against Carrickmore last Sunday to snatch victory and end their 26-year O'Neill Cup famine.

"That just typified our season, the never-give-up attitude. There were times in games in the last couple of minutes that teams went a point or two ahead, but to show the resolve that we did in all the games was brilliant," McMahon continued.

"And for Ronie to step up to the plate, he was brilliant, and carried us at stages of the game, got the scores.

"The last final we were in was 2005, and I was heartbroken that day, and to have to wait nine years to get back to a final was a long time, but we took our chance."


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