Malachy O’Rourke admits losing last Sunday’s Derry SFC final to Newbridge wasn’t the ending he had hoped for as Glen manager.

The newly-appointed Tyrone manager won three Derry SFC titles, two Ulster Club Championships and an All-Ireland Club title during his four-year reign, but was disappointed not to add further silverware at the weekend.

"Fair play to Newbridge, they were up for it on the day and they played brilliantly on the day," the Fermanagh native told BBC Sport NI.

"The boys showed character, I'm so proud of them, even in defeat because they kept going right until the end and I thought we'd salvaged it at the end.

"It just wasn't to be. We've had a brilliant time, we're disappointed today but that's the way football goes and fair play to Newbridge."

Reflecting on his time in charge of the Watty Grahams, O’Rourke said: "It's been absolutely brilliant.

"The people, all the lads in the club obviously, but the whole community has embraced us and we've had a brilliant time. We have such great memories leaving it.

"It's a pity we couldn't be leaving on better terms, but that's the way football goes.”

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