O’Donnell relishing new opportunities with Tyrone

By Alan Rodgers

A BACKROOM team that many counties can only dream about has once again been assembled by Paul Devlin as Tyrone U20s put the finishing touches to their preparations ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland final against Kerry.

It is perhaps inevitable that the Red Hands have such a high level of expertise to call upon.

Now, in 2026, many of the players who starred for the county during its most golden era have progressed to become top coaches. Top of the bunch currently is former Footballer of the Year, Stephen O’Neill. He is joined by Cathal McCarron and Conor O’Donnell

All are guided, of course, by Devlin, Tyrone star of the 1990s. His record at this level is almost impeccable, and the hope will be that the momentum of the past few seasons is maintained as the county renews acquaintances with their rivals from the Kingdom.

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For O’Donnell his involvement in the squad is an enjoyable and rewarding one. As he steps away from a playing career which saw him represent Tyrone at senior level and win two county medals with Omagh, the coaching opportunities coming his way with the U20s are being relished.

“Obviously it’s super to be in the All-Ireland final again. But the players have been through the minor grade and with the U20s last season and the year before as well. They don’t want to just get to the final, but go on and win it. This is our seventh game now and we have to get our homework done.

“Having the likes of Stevie O’Neill in with us is great. He gives the players great confidence to believe in themselves, if he’d half a chance he shot as a player. We have quality forwards on the team and thankfully we can lean on Stevie’s experience.

“A few of the team are going for a third All-Ireland medal. but the group is changing every year. Some are going for their third, but there are also some on the team for whom this is a first All-Ireland final at U20. Those boys want to make their own name and win their own trophies.”

Dominant

Tyrone, of course, are going for their fourth All-Ireland title in five years. Since 2022 they have been the dominant force at this level. The fact that the game is in Croke Park and against Kerry adds a special ingredient and motivation for the players to make more history for the Red Hands.

O’Donnell remains determined to help them achieve that aim. He is now gaining experience as a coach, and his influence at this level with Tyrone is certainly acknowledged as vital. Add in the work of his clubmate Cathal McCarron and Stephen O’Neill and it’s clear that Paul Devlin has put together a team of people with the experience and knowhow to be successful.

“We’ve had an opportunity to look at the Kerry team and have been feeding that into the players over the past week. It’s about getting ready and we know what’s needed to bring the Cup home,” he added.

“I’m in the transition from player to coach. It’s something which I thoroughly enjoy because it keeps your hand in the GAA. This is a great privilege and opportunity to work with such a talented team. It’s unbelievable to get to work with them and also nice to put trophies on the bus for the journey home.

“It’s probably extra-special this year because the team mightn’t have been expected to reach even an Ulster final. But fair play to the lads who recovered from the Armagh and Cavan defeats. There was a lot of soul-searching among the players and management and we decided to knuckle down, organise things and get going.”