Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh SFC final: Madden 0-20 Cullyhanna 0-9
IF ever a family deserved a day like this, it is the Grimley clan of Madden.
On a day that the whole village rejoiced in the club’s first ever senior football championship title, it was even more special for the Grimleys.
Not only did brothers Niall and Liam win alongside a clatter of cousins for the Raparees, but their elder sibling Ryan came on as Loughmacrory won their first ever Tyrone title on the same day.
The roar went up in the Athletic Grounds as the final whistle sounded in Omagh.
It has been a tough couple of years for not just the Grimley and McElvanna families but the community as a whole.
There isn’t a word in the English language that would do justice to how special the scenes were.
“To be able to do it for them and the older flock in the Madden community, anything we need, they’ll do it for us to help us, even if it’s 2%.
“It’s hard to explain how proud I am, how happy I am. I know I can be a bit moody at times but it’s special today. An amazing feeling. It hasn’t sank in yet. To celebrate with the club is going to be amazing. Speechless,” said a jubilant Niall Grimley, seconds after hearing Ryan had won his county medal too.
Ryan Grimley came off the bench as Loughmacrory won their first ever Tyrone SFC on the same day his native Madden did that in Armagh. PICTURE: Oliver McVeigh
“Me and Ryan were talking about it during the week, he’s waited his whole life to play in a senior championship final with Madden, he’s ended up playing one with Loughmacrory instead. I’ve just heard they won it.
“It’s gonna be weird having two senior championship cups in the Grimley house this week, our first ever and their first ever. Sorta getting goosebumps here. Something’s happening here.
“It’s such a special day.”