Different generations but Darren & Ray Cox driven by same goal for Annaduff

If there is one name synonymous with Annaduff football, it is definitely the Cox name and last Sunday’s Smith Monumentals IFC saw the torch being passed from Ray, who won an Intermediate title all the way back in 2001, to young Darren Cox who was hailed as Man of the Match.

Both Darren and Ray much prefer to do their talking on the field but the Observer prevailed upon both to chat after Sunday’s 0-9 to 0-7 victory over Melvin Gaels and both are looking  to the future! Darren, a year out of minor, is looking to test himself in the Senior Championship: “It is unreal, this was the year we really needed to go up because the last four years, we couldn’t get over the line. We have an unreal bunch of young lads coming up and hopefully we can kick on now.”

It might have been his first final but for Darren, last Sunday was the chance to put things right: “To be fair, we never turned up for any of those finals. We were underdogs going into this game but the last few we were going in thinking we were going to walk up and get the trophy so we’re happy to finally get over the line there and give the Senior a good rattle next year.”

Annaduff end Smith Monumentals IFC finals torment as Darren Cox shines in battle with Melvin Gaels

ANNADUFF 0-9 MELVIN GAELS 0-7

The youngster also hailed the influence Ray has on a legion of Annaduff players: “I look up to Ray, he is a legend to me and all of the Annaduff players. He is 42 years of age and still going playing. Whatever he tells me to do, I’ll do - if he tells me to kick, I’ll kick it - I have full faith in him.”

As for getting the man of the match award, Darren didn’t feel he deserved it: “I’m over the moon really but I didn’t really think I deserved it because the last four frees didn’t go my way.”

One of many who disagreed with that was Ray Cox, for so long Annaduff’s talisman and he sees a bright future for Darren: “Darren is an exceptional footballer and thank God he is there now. I saw him there against Carrick back in March and I was saying to the lads this lad could win us an intermediate championship. A gifted footballer.”

Ray, pictured inset,  also believes Darren is leading an era of talented players breaking into the Annaduff Senior team: “We have youngsters coming on, Eoghan Ridge out there, Danny Bosquette, Darren - Matty coming back. We were unlucky the last few years but adding a few lads to it and they just got us over the line.”

Annaduff wildly celebrate long awaited Smith Monumentals IFC Final victory - GALLERY (UPDATED)

After heartbreak in three previous finals, Annaduff finally tasted glory in the Smith Monumentals IFC Final on Sunday in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada when they held off Melvin Gaels 0-9 to 0-7 to claim the 2023 title. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to catalogue the celebrations .... see who you can spot!

Ray expected a tough battle with Melvin Gaels and that is what he got: “It was hard, Melvin Gaels are a hard team to play against because they always have two or three men back at every stage.”

As for his own future, what keeps him coming back? “I don’t know” was his instant answer before adding “I love it - I said before I was gone but this is it, I wanted to go out on a high and it is a great way to go!”