Gourley: Tyrone minors determined to make own history

By Alan Rodgers

A TYRONE minor team that has impressed with a series of stylish performances throughout 2026 so far is now on the verge of reaching yet another Ulster Final when they play Cavan in the provincial semi-final on Saturday at 12 noon in O’Neills Healy Park.

Victories over Armagh and Monaghan already in the championship have left the team nicely poised for this latest challenge. The reigning Ulster and All-Ireland minor champions are relishing this latest challenge as they aim to retain their titles.

But there will be no sense of complacency among the players, under the management of Gerard Donnelly. The disappointment of losing the Ulster League final to Monaghan last month means that their commitment and determination to make a mark remains resolute.

But there is, of course, no doubt about their credentials as the provincial Championship reaches its climax. The team contains a number of survivors from last year’s side which defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland Final, including the current captain, Ciaran McCrystal. However, it’s the new younger players on the panel who are relishing the challenges ahead as they bid for glory.

Coach Ciaran Gourley is satisfied with the progress to date. Nevertheless, he is also well aware that there has been nothing won yet, and there’s a big focus required as they aim to reach the Ulster Final.

They turned the tables on Monaghan in the quarter final a few weeks ago, and are now aiming to maintain that momentum in the last four.

“It’s still pleasing to see the good aspects in the game. This has been important to keep the winning streak going, and that maybe makes our preparations for the semi-final that bit easier.

“We knew that we weren’t out again for two weeks after the Monaghan match. Maybe all of those things upset the plans and if all of us can control things then certainly it works out a lot better for us.

“That was the way things worked for us last year in Ulster as well. But we’re just pleased to have reached the Ulster semi-final and hopefully the players can push on from here.

“We wanted to put in a good performance against Monaghan in the quarter final and the lads produced a great first half, even though they made it hard for us in the second half before we got a few goals near the end to finish the game off,” he said.

“The lads are very good at backing each other, and they have been really working hard as a group. That was pleasing to see but we’ve been looking back at the second half of that game as well when we allowed Monaghan to go through the centre of our defence.”

For many of the current Tyrone players, this is their first experience of inter-county action at Minor level and they are anxious to prove their worth.

“It’s important that we control what we do which is a lot easier as a manager,” Gourley added.

“Being seen as strong contenders comes with the territory of being a Tyrone team and a Tyrone player. We have been very fortunate to have had a lot of success at this level. So naturally when you start to put together a few wins, people are going to be talking.

“The players realise that’s happening and that there’s nothing they can do to control it. All they can do is look after themselves, this is their team and it’s up to them to create their own bit of history.

“What has gone before them is great and shows what can be done, but they have to remember too that there’s no God-given right of success.”