Malachy O'Rourke thrilled with gritty Glen's 'character'

Glen manager Malachy O'Rourke hailed his team's "work rate and character" after they ground down Maigh Cuilinn on Sunday afternoon to reach their first ever AIB All-Ireland club SFC final.

Glen have a Croke Park date with Kilmacud Crokes to look forward to in a fortnight's time as they aim to become the first Derry club to win the Andy Merrigan Cup since Ballinderry Shamrocks in 2002.

Tiarnan Flanagan's goal at the start of the second half proved decisive in a tight game, with O'Rourke a relieved man at the final whistle.

"We started the game very well, I was pleased with the way we were going," he told RTÉ Sport.

"But I felt we weren't clinical at the start.

"We were making great inroads but we just didn't finish all our chances off. They got back into the game, they were winning all the primary possession around the middle of the field.

"At half-time we were still in a good position, we'd probably played the better football. Getting the goal at the start of the second half put us in a great position.

"They kept chipping away and it just made it a very nervy finish, but... the boys showed brilliant work rate and character to be able to get over the line."

O'Rourke's charges had a four-week break after winning the Ulster title, with rustiness a concern. But hard training and discipline over the Christmas period meant Glen were primed for battle.

"That was always the danger coming in," he added.

"I suppose it was four weeks, it was just getting back to training and trying to get back up to speed again. The boys had a quiet Christmas, but they were delighted to do that.

"I thought maybe they were getting frees a wee bit easier than us at different times, but look, sometimes you think that on the line. Overall the second half was very