By Shaun Casey

AFTER three years in charge of the Tyrone Hurling team, Stephen McGarry called time on his tenure following last Saturday’s defeat in the Nickey Rackard Cup final to New York.

He joined Mickey McShane’s management team in 2021 as a coach before grasping the bainisteoir bib himself at the beginning of 2024 season.

And when he reflects on his six years with Tyrone, one particular moment had the Ballycastle native bursting with pride.

It wasn’t patrolling the sidelines in Croke Park or helping the Red Hands reach Division Two of the National League. It wasn’t climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand in 2022.

The standout highlight was standing in Garvaghey this season, witnessing the hive of activity it has become on the hurling front.

“Obviously winning is huge. Gaining promotion up into Division Two in my first season was something to be proud of and we retained our Christy Ring Cup status that year despite such a high turnover of players,” McGarry recalled.

“But I do remember we were training one morning in Garvaghey and we had the full panel of seniors out training. I was looking around and the U20s were down playing a challenge game against Cavan and they had maybe 35 or 36 hurlers.

“The minors were training on another field and I can remember having a bit of satisfaction that morning thinking that, overall, we’re in a really good place. The structures have been put in place and are really working.

“I took a great deal of satisfaction from that and that’s probably the highlight – seeing the pathway and the structures that have been put in place.

“Even though I won’t be a direct part of it anymore, I’ve contributed to make sure that Tyrone hurling is going to be sustainable and flourish for the years to come.”

When McGarry first got involved with the team, the focus was all on the seniors rather than what was coming behind. Now things have changed considerably for the better.

“In 2021, there wasn’t a huge emphasis on the underage structures, it was more about the senior team and driving the standards. There’s quality hurlers down in Tyrone and maybe they were slightly underachieving beforehand.

“The emphasis was to get success for the seniors and to be fair to that team, they did, led by Damian (Casey). Managing to win the Nickey Rackard Cup (in 2022) was obviously a highlight as well.

“The age profile of that team, and not having the underage structures in place, meant there was going to be a huge turnover of players and maybe a window of opportunity had been missed.

“Whenever I agreed to take the job on, that was something I was very strong on and I wanted to get an U20 management team in that was passionate and driven. Colm Morgan came in, he did a terrific job and the two of us worked hand in hand.

“We’ve been very competitive at U20 level and we were unfortunate not to win the B All-Ireland two years ago. We were just clipped by Roscommon in the semi-final this year and I can take great satisfaction from that.”

Damian Casey was the driving force behind Tyrone hurling when McGarry first arrived and he led them to Nickey Rackard Cup success in 2022, just weeks before he tragically lost his life.

“Most men hide their emotions but Damian’s passing had a devastating affect on all of us,” McGarry continued. “We were chatting a few weeks before about where we were going on the team holiday and all the fun and enjoyment you could ever think of.

“Then a week later, we heard the news of his tragic passing. It was extremely tough and Damian was an absolute gentleman and a supreme talent. He drove the standards in Tyrone, carried the fight and brought people with him.

“To lose someone like that, not just hurling-wise but in life was really, really tough. It was a motivating factor then to push it on and not let standards drop in memory of Damian.”

Tyrone made it back to Croke Park this season, aiming to get their hands on the Nickey Rackard Cup again, but New York proved too strong on the day and they didn’t get the fairytale ending.

“It was a motivating factor for me and all the management team and players, I would have loved to have won on Saturday and bring the Nickey Rackard Cup back up to Damian.

“I saw his father, Sean, after the game and it was quite emotional because he knew that was one of my main motivating factors. Tthe Casey family have been brilliant throughout everything and they’re at every game.”

Heading into 2026, with his three-year term up, McGarry knew it was likely going to be his final season in charge. “Six years is a long stint with one team and one group of players.

“There’s young boys there that I’ve had since they were 18 or 19 years of age and they’ve known nothing but me and from my own point of view, it’s be nice for them to hear a different voice.

“It would have been very fitting to have won on Saturday but I’m no less proud of the players because the performance they put in was unbelievable.

“I was more devastated for the players than myself because I felt they deserved to win for the all the work and effort they’ve put in over the course of the last three years.”