Malachy O’Rourke was playing as a wing-back for St Mary’s when Monaghan last won the Ulster SFC back in 1988. The PE graduate is now top of the class, having guided Monaghan to a well-deserved victory over Donegal on Sunday 21 July.


But Malachy is not the only alumnus of St Mary’s (St Joseph’s) who is managing a team that is still seeking All-Ireland glory. Add Mickey Harte of Tyrone to that list. Two of the other Ulster counties, now out of the race, are managed by Ranch alumni, namely, Peter Canavan (Fermanagh) and Frank Dawson (Antrim).