THE holders, St Patrick's, Maghera, won the McRory Cup for the 11th time in yesterday's tempestuous final at Coalisland.

While the football was at times of the highest quality in this thrilling all Derry contest, it will possibly be best remembered for its more unsavoury qualities, such as dangerous tackles, off the ball clashes and a late flare up which saw St Mary's, Magherafelt full forward, Kevin Madden, sent off.

The holders never lost the lead but they were given quite a scare 12 minutes from the end when a goal by Magherafelt captain, Paul McFlynn, left just a point between the sides.

But Maghera weathered the storm and countered positively for Gerard Cassidy and Damien McErlean to shoot the insurance points which extended a remarkable McRory Cup record.