No GAA person could begrudge the Grimley family double success as Madden and Loughmacrory win Armagh and Tyrone championships for the first time
THERE can’t be a GAA person in the country – including even the staunchest from Cullyhanna or Trillick – who could begrudge the Grimleys their double success last weekend. Two years ago the county Armagh family was devastated by the tragic deaths of Patrick Grimley, his wife Ciera and their good friend Ciara McElvanna in a road traffic accident. On Sunday, Patrick’s brothers Niall and Liam won the Armagh senior title for the first time with their native Madden Raparees and another affable Grimley brother, Ryan, did likewise in Tyrone with his adopted Loughmacrory.Amid the celebratory mayhem after the one-point win at Healy Park, Ryan’s thoughts were with the family and friends who weren’t there to share the special moments.“It’s hard to put it into words,” he said after Loughmacrory had beaten favourites Trillick by a point in the Tyrone decider. “It’s filled with a lot of emotion for us.”When his brother Patrick’s name was mentioned, words failed the towering midfielder who had played his part in propelling Loughmacrory to their first ever final. “Ah, quit,” he said with a shake of his head. Ryan was the only substitute to come off the Loughmacrory bench as Martin Boyle’s side when head-to-head with the vastly-experienced 2023 county champions who had also reached the final last year. Trillick were five points behind early in the second half but rallied after Ciaran Daly’s second goal and the final was level with 30 second to go when Eoin McElholm cut through the Trillick defence and passed to Gareth Donaghy.Ryan Grimley in action for Loughmacrory against Donaghmore during the Tyrone SFC quarter-final. PICTURE: Oliver McVeigh He kicked the winning score and the final whistle was the signal for unforgettable celebrations on the pitch between players and supporters. “It’s just incredible,” said Ryan as he reflected on achievements on either side of the county line that would have seemed so unlikely at the start of the club championships.“The boy sitting beside me (on the bench) had the phone out for most of the game and I got word just after half-time that Madden won…Madden Raparees celebrate their first ever Armagh SFC title. PICTURE: John Merry “It was so raw and it all caught up with me then, I had to take five or 10 minutes to myself and then compose myself again. “The Loughmacrory boys were brilliant in the second half, I swear to God… brilliant. I was happy to come on at the end, very happy to come on as a sub.“The people in Loughmacrory couldn’t do enough for me and my boys and my wee girl, they’re fantastic. It’s a place the exact same as Madden, a close-knit place.”After historic first-ever senior championship successes for both clubs, the celebrations will be memorable as Madden rejoice with the Gerry Fegan Cup in their heartland and Loughmacrory do the same with the O’Neill Cup in Tyrone. Ryan went back to Loughmacrory with his team-mates on Sunday night but then made his way to Madden to join his family on a historic night for their club. “I was talking to my dad (Brian) on the phone and he is very, very happy – it’ll be a special time in Madden,” he said as joyous players and supporters celebrated on the pitch at Omagh’s Healy Park.“If you’d have told somebody at the start of the year that Madden would win in Armagh and Loughmacrory would win in Tyrone they’d have thought you were mad.”
