Double delight for Grimley siblings as Madden and Loughmacrory win maiden county titles in Armagh and Tyrone

On a poignant day for the family, Niall Grimley and Liam Grimley were part of the Madden squad that annexed the Gerry Fagan Cup for the first time while their brother Ryan came on for Loughmacrory as they won their maiden Tyrone title

It was an historic day for the senior footballers of both Madden and Loughmacrory on Sunday as both teams claimed their maiden senior football titles in Armagh and Tyrone respectively.

At the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Madden romped to an impressive 0-20 to 0-9 win over Cullyhanna to lift the Gerry Fagan Cup for the very first time.

Armagh star Niall Grimley delivered a typically robust performance from midfield while his brother Liam was also on the Madden squad for Sunday’s decider.

As captain Tony O’Hagan collected the cup, he spoke of the Grimley and McElvanna families as the people of Madden remembered those who couldn’t be in Armagh City.

The entire Madden community were rocked by tragedy almost two years ago when Patrick Grimley, his wife Ciera and their friend Ciara McIlvenna were killed in a car crash near Markethill.

Ciara’s husband, former Armagh player Kevin McElvanna, is part of Madden’s backroom team while Patrick is the brother of current Armagh star Niall.

O’Hagan’s thoughtful words of remembrance reverberated all the way to Omagh and to O’Neills Healy Park as another member of the Grimley clan would help his adopted club emulate Madden’s achievement.

As the Raparees celebrated on the pitch, the Tyrone SFC final was drawing to a dramatic conclusion.

Loughmacrory were appearing in their very first county final and had led for most of the contest until Lee Brennan set up a grandstand finish with a free to level the game after 55 minutes.

Tyrone U20 star Eoin McElholm made the vital break on the hour mark to set up Gareth Donaghy for what proved to be the winning point as they moved 0-18 to 2-11 in front.

In stoppage-time, St Teresa’s made their first and only substitute with Ryan Grimley, Niall and Liam’s brother, coming in for Pauraic Meenagh.

It was a fitting end to a poignant day and nobody could begrudge the Grimley family their success as they celebrated historic county titles on both sides of the Blackwater River.