Progress made in O’Rourke’s first season

AFTER a few lean years, Malachy O’Rourke was enlisted as Tyrone’s new senior intercounty manager and he engineered their best season since the All-Ireland winning year of 2021. There were a few bumps on the road – relegation to Division Two wasn’t in the script, albeit they were mightily unfortunate to face the drop – and they could have no complaints about their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to champions-in-waiting Kerry. On the flipside, there were some big days out – a group stage victory over Donegal at Ballybofey and an All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Dublin were highlights of a promising season. As for their hurling counterparts, it was a tricky enough season but demotion to the Nickey Rackard Cup mightn’t be a bad thing.

Blazing a trail at underage level

IT was an incredible season for Tyrone football at underage level. Back-to-back All-Ireland U-20 titles and a first Tom Markham Cup since 2010, and that’s without mentioning various other pieces of shiny silverware including the Buncrana Cup. There were some really memorable moments along the way – an Ulster U-20 final against Donegal that went the distance; Diarmuid Martin’s late winner in a thrilling All-Ireland Minor final against Kerry; and stunning individual performances from Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm in a resounding victory over Louth in the All-Ireland U-20 showdown. The future’s bright, the future’s red and white? Underage success doesn’t always translate at senior level, but things are looking good for the Red Hand County.

Ladies achieve redemption for 2024

THE Tyrone ladies suffered a desperately disappointing defeat to Leitrim in the 2024 All-Ireland Intermediate final, and there was only one way to make amends – by going one better in 2025. First of all though, was their return to top-flight football after a number of years in Division Three. In terms of results it didn’t go quite according to plan, and Darren McCann’s side were relegated, but there were a number of promising performances. They subsequently embarked on a memorable run to All-Ireland glory at Croke Park, overcoming both Fermanagh and Westmeath after extra-time in dramatic knock-out clashes before doing the business against Laois on All-Ireland final day. Captained by Aoibhinn McHugh, goals from Aoife Horisk and Katie Rose Muldoon proved pivotal as Tyrone edged out Laois by six points. On the club front, meanwhile, Errigal Ciaran reached their second ever Ulster Senior title while there was also success for Aghyaran and Drumragh.

Loughmacrory’s year from the heavens

A FIRST-EVER O’Neill Cup title for Loughmacrory – and they did it in style. Led on the lines by Martin Boyle and with Ciarán Meenagh among the backroom team, hopes were high that Loughmacrory could make their mark in the notoriously competitive Tyrone Senior Championship. Victories over Killyclogher and Donaghmore set up a mouth-watering clash against their parish rivals Carrickmore, a semi-final clash that certainly lived up to its billing. Loughmacrory got it right at the second time of asking in a replay clash at Omagh, Ruairi McCullagh’s injury-time two-pointer deciding a titanic tussle. And then on the big day they produced a barnstorming performance with Cathal Donaghy having a stormer in the middle of the park against Trillick, sparking scenes of euphoria at the final whistle. Elsewhere, Clonoe got their hands on a league and championship double at Intermediate level while Clogher are in the midst of preparations for an All-Ireland Junior Championship semi-final, a brilliant feat.

Success on the camogie front

TYRONE has made strong progress in the camogie front at intercounty level in recent years, and after another decent season, the clubs took centre-stage. Éire Óg, Carrickmore (whose hurlers also had a stunning year), clinched a historic All-Ireland Junior ‘B’ title hot on the heels of their Tyrone Intermediate and Ulster Junior ‘B’ successes. Eglish goalkeeper Brenda Horsfield was the hero in the Ulster Intermediate final with a game-winning goal in their replay against Crossmaglen, while there was also a first-ever success for Brocagh in the Bridie McMenamin Shield competition.