Triumphant Tyrone welcomed as heroes

The green fields of the land-locked county, one of Ireland’s sparsest populated, turned red-and-white as the cavalcade poured across the border into Aughnacloy and all points north.
It’s only the second time the Red Hand County has welcomed the Sam Maguire and chests expanded with pride as the huge silver cup was borne aloft for hour after hour.
The joy was tinged with sadness, however, as many hearts remembered the tragically-early death of the man, credited by many for the first Tyrone team victory two years ago, Cormac McAnallen.
He died suddenly last year from an rare heart condition. His friends and family could only try to take comfort in the hundreds of tributes to the young teacher and athlete paid after the match and along the way.
The victory cavalcade was delayed again and again by the force of numbers who turned out, despite the cold and wet, to welcome their heroes home. It being the North, however, there were some ugly sectarian incidents along the way.
A two-year-old boy in Omagh suffered a cut face after a car was attacked because it was flying a Tyrone flag. The toddler was with his mother and grandmother when a bottle was thrown through the window.
After the incident, the women were told they would get “more of the same” if they did not take down the flag. Several people were arrested as trouble flared and rival gangs clashed in the town.
A petrol bomb, missiles and fireworks were thrown at police in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, and a number of cars were burnt out in the town and in nearby Dungannon.
Earlier in Campsie, youths squirted water pistols full of petrol at Tyrone fans. In another incident, a 7-year-old boy was injured when a brick was thrown at a bus returning from the match.
The boy, from Dungannon, was hit in the face. A 12-year-old girl was also treated for shock. Stones were thrown at cars in Dungannon carrying fans returning from the match in Dublin.
SDLP assembly member, Patsy McGlone, chairman of Cookstown District Council, condemned those responsible. “It is an utter disgrace that some people cannot allow an historic sporting occasion to pass without resorting to their warped sectarianism,” he said.
“Decent, law-abiding people and their families on the way back to what should have been the peace and quiet of their homes, had a brilliant weekend spoiled by these thugs.
“My best wishes for a speedy recovery are extended to those injured and I hope that the genuine celebrations will not be marred by any further violence.”
The SDLP, Sinn Fein and the British government congratulated the Co. Tyrone team and various civic receptions are being planned, including one at Stormont.
The three Sinn Fein MPs who represent the county paid tribute to the All-Ireland winners and sent to their congratulations to the team, management and supporters.
Speaking from Croke Park, Martin McGuinness, said it was “a mighty result, from a mighty team, in a mighty All-Ireland final, and I wish to send my congratulations to Mickey Harte, Brian Dooher and the rest of the panel.”
Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP, Michelle Gildernew, said: “The return of ‘Sam’ to Tyrone in such dramatic circumstances is a tremendous boost to people throughout the county.”
West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty, said: “The victory over Kerry came after years of hard work and effort from an extremely dedicated and talented group of players”.
SDLP assembly member, PJ Bradley, said the victorious Down team will also be given a special reception in Stormont. “Their magnificent victory provides the bonus we all wanted, as they will now be visiting ‘The Hill’ at Stormont as All Ireland Champions.”