Malachy O’Rourke celebrates after guiding Monaghan to the Ulster title
Derrylin native Malachy O’Rourke has weaved his managerial magic once again to mastermind the first Ulster title for Monaghan in 25 years.
In his first year in charge of the Farney county O’Rourke has done what many felt was impossible and guided a team to victory over Donegal. And not only a victory but a comprehensive dismantling of a system that looked unbeatable.
“I felt during the week there was a great focus there, they were nice and relaxed coming in and we’re just delighted to go out and do what we’d planned to do,” he revealed after the game.
O’Rourke paid tribute to the managers who went before him in the managers seat, namely Eamonn McEneaney and Seamus McEneaney;
“I just feel privileged to be here when the boys actually made the breakthrough,” he explained.
But while O’Rourke might try and down play his own impact on the Monaghan cause few observers will as his managerial stock continues to rise. He has now guided The Loup to Derry and Ulster club senior titles, Cavan Gaels to a Cavan senior title and Errigal Ciaran to a Tyrone championship.
He also famously guided Fermanagh to an Ulster final in 2008 and came within a kick of the ball of securing victory before his side lost out in a replay to Armagh.
This though will rank as the biggest achievement of his career but as is his nature he deflected all praise onto the players;
“They’ve worked so hard. Everybody had written us off but within the camp there was great belief that we could pull it off. It’s alright talking like that but the boys have to go out and perform.”
On the other side of the coin another Fermanagh man, and assistant manager with Donegal, Rory Gallagher felt the pain of championship defeat for the first time since Dublin beat Donegal in the All Ireland semi final in 2011. But no doubt the Belleek man and Donegal boss, Jim McGuinness are already plotting a way to regain the Sam Maguire and that will start with a trip to Carrick on Shannon this Saturday and a game with the Laois to reach the All Ireland quarter final.
And the former Fermanagh manager received a lot of congratulatory messages from his home county;
“There was a lot of messages. Everyone in Fermanagh worked very hard during our time there and unfortunately we came up just short. But we left on very good terms and there was a lot of friendships made and people were genuinely delighted for us which we very much appreciate.”