History of Tyrone gaelic football
Encyclopedia
Tyrone
has been represented in Gaelic football
for nearly a century, but until the mid eighties, the Senior team were considered among the weaker teams in Ulster
. However, today, Tyrone is considered one of the strongest teams in Ireland, having won All-Irelands
in 2003, 2005 and 2008.
in 1956, and defended it in 1957, with a team that included the legendary Iggy Jones
and Frankie Donnelly
. However, for the vast majority of the 20th Century, Tyrone were considered one the weaker teams in Ulster, which itself was probably considered the weakest province. Cavan
had been the dominant force in Ulster right up until the 1960s.
Tyrone didn't win a third Ulster title until 1973.
The Tyrone Minors however won the All-Ireland in 1947, 1948 and 1973. 1973 is remembered because Frank McGuigan
, who captained the minor team, was also part of the Under-21 and Senior teams that won their Ulster Championships.
, Eugene McKenna
, Plunkett Donaghy
and John Lynch
.
In 1980, Kevin McCabe
made history as Tyrone's first ever winner of an All Star Award
.
In 1984, Tyrone won their fourth Ulster Championship, with Frank McGuigan
's display in the Ulster Final against Armagh
considered among the finest individual performances ever seen in Gaelic Games. He scored eleven points from open play, five with each foot, and one fisted over.
In 2004, his display was voted as one of the Top 20 GAA Moments
of the previous forty years (i.e. since the dawn of televised matches). McGuigan won an All-Star that year, as did Eugene McKenna
.
. However, they were the rank outsiders to beat Kerry, who were going for their third title in a row (and eighth in twelve years). At one stage in the second half, Tyrone had amassed a seven point lead (a penalty that could have put them nine points ahead was struck over the bar by Kevin McCabe), but two of their leading players on the day, Eugene McKenna, and John Lynch
had to be replaced due to injury, and the experience of Kerry shone through, going on to win by 2-15 to 1-10 (21 points to 13).
An unprecedented four Tyrone players won All-Star Awards that year, Plunkett Donaghy
, John Lynch, Damien O'Hagan
and Eugene McKenna won his second.
Tyrone beat Donegal
in the replayed 1989 Ulster Final, with Plunkett Donaghy
leading the team out that day. Eugene McKenna received his third All Star award that year, making him the leading representative of Tyrone in the All Star stakes.
, the under age team reached three All-Ireland Finals, winning two in a row in 1991, and 1992. That team included young players like Adrian Cush
, and Jody Gormley
.
As that young team graduated to the Senior ranks, they brought their winning ways with them. In 1994, Tyrone reached the Ulster Final, being defeated by eventual All-Ireland winners - who possessed the crux of their 1991 All-Ireland-winning team - Down
. Although through this defeat a young talent was emerging, becoming Ulster's top scorer, and duly winning his first All Star - Peter Canavan
.
in the first round, Tyrone faced 1993 All-Ireland winners, Derry
in the Ulster Semi-Final. Despite going 0-8 to 0-5 down by half time and having two players sent off, Tyrone rode through the scorching heat and emerged as winners by a point. The match will probably be remembered by outsiders because of the many ugly incidents of fighting between the teams - including a ten-man brawl on the pitch, and Pascal Canavan
twice elbowing and twice punching a Derry player, which got him sent off.
In the Ulster Final, Tyrone were playing Cavan
, and were probably considered favorites. With the matched poised in the closing stages, Tyrone's two "super-subs", Matt McGleenan and Adrian Cush
, teamed up to score the first of Tyrone's two goals. Cush lobbed the ball towards the goal, and McGleenan fisted it into the net. McGleenan became known within Tyrone because of this fisted goal. When Adrian Cush scored the second goal with less than two minutes remaining, the jubilant Tyrone fans (who were already lining the pitch) initiated a premature pitch invasion. However, they quickly broke, avoiding the possibility of the match being abandoned.
In the next game, the All-Ireland Semi-Final, Tyrone beat Galway, with Peter Canavan leading the team with a personal tally of 1-07.
In the All-Ireland Final against Dublin
, Tyrone took an early lead, just as they had in 1986, but the Dubs fought back, and ended up winning the match by a single point, 1-10 to 0-12. Peter Canavan had scored eleven points that day, but still ended up on the losing side.
Tyrone fans remember the final with bitter taste, due to a few controversial decisions by referee, Paddy Russell. Russell sent Charlie Redmond
off, but the player didn't leave the pitch for several minutes, meaning they were fielding an illegible player, before he was instructed for a second time to leave the field.
Also, with seconds remaining, and Tyrone down by a point, Russell (who was blidsided) adjudged Canavan to have touched the ball in the ground, when he was passing it to team-mate, Sean McLaughlin. McLaughlin put the ball over the bar, but the point was not counted.
Despite reaching the All-Ireland Final, only two Tyrone players won All-Stars in 1995, Peter Canavan and Fay Devlin
.
in a rematch of the 1994 final.
Tyrone met a very physical Meath team
in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. Having played a competitive and enjoyable first half, the country witnessed the emergence of stars of the future, Brian Dooher
, and Gerard Cavlan
.
Tyrone fans remember this match because of the perceived "dirty" tactics by Meath. Several of Tyrone's key players sustained injuries during the second half of the match, including Peter Canavan, who subsequently found out he had been playing with a broken foot. Brian Dooher
and Cairan McBride both had their heads heavily bandaged during the match (and had to receive staples to close the wounds during half time). The Managers' hands were tied, because they had used up their tally of three substitutions.
Two representatives from Tyrone were in the 1996 All-Star team, Finbar McConnell
, and Peter Canavan
, with his third in a row, matched Eugene McKenna
's personal tally.
Tyrone's management team of Eugene McKenna
and Art McRory
stepped down after this defeat, and Danny Ball took over the reins. While under Ball's stewardship, Tyrone didn't reach another Senior Ulster final.
In 1998, the Tyrone Minors won the All-Ireland final for the first time in fifteen years, with a team that included such future stars as Cormac McAnallen
, Stephen O'Neill
, Ryan McMenamin
. This victory was particularly note-worthy because of the death of Paul McGirr in a match against Armagh the previous year.
. McAnallen became only the second person to do this, after Peter Canavan
.
Tyrone Minors also showed their mettle in 2001, with an All-Ireland-winning display, with Sean Cavanagh
leading the march.
Eugene McKenna
and Art McRory
were reinstalled as managers in 2001, which also saw the Seniors capture their ninth Ulster Championship, with many of the Under-21 team crossing over to the Senior ranks, including Stephen O'Neill
, who won his first (and Tyrone's only) All Star that year.
Tyrone won their first ever Senior All-Ireland in 2002, albeit the 'second tier' competition, the National Football League
.
The introduction of the qualifying system allowed Tyrone to reach the All-Ireland quarter finals in 2002, where they were beaten by Sligo
. Despite not playing in the Sligo match, Peter Canavan
won his fourth All Star award, making him Tyrone's most prolific representative.
. Harte had already Tyrone and Ulster titles with his club, Errigal Ciaran, and with Tyrone at Minor and Under 21 level, but had not proved himself on the inter-county stage at Senior level. Also, the acrimonious departure of Art McRory
and Eugene McKenna
, his predecessors, and two popular figures in Tyrone football over the previous twenty years, made many fans suspicious of his appointment. He soon laid those fears to rest however, immediately defending Tyrone's National League crown.
Tyrone then went on to win the Ulster Championship, beating Down
in a replay, but with a massive margin of victory. After leaking four goals in the drawn match, Harte put Cormac McAnallen
into the Full Back position, from his normal position in midfield. It turned out to be a wry move, Tyrone's ruthlessness in shooting at the posts, was now consolidated with a steadiness in defense.
In the All-Ireland Quarter Final (the next fixture), they met their spirited neighbors, Fermanagh
. Tyrone ultimately proved much too strong for them however, and again won by a massive margin.
Their biggest test in the Championship came against Kerry
in the Semi-Final. This was the first time Tyrone had met Kerry
in the Championship since the All-Ireland Final in 1986. Many pundits believe this was Tyrone's definitive display of 2003. They deployed a 'blanket defense,' whereby as soon as they lost possession of the ball, all players were ready to win it back. Kerry players, from the full-back line to the forwards, found themselves harried by three or four players around them every time they got the ball, meaning they were under pressure for space, and time to release the ball. Detractors (famously, Pat Spillane
, himself a Kerry
player from the 1986 final) called this style 'puke football' because it stifled the flow of the game of Gaelic football. It was extremely effective however, and the 0-13 to 0-6 scoreline that Tyrone won by was flattering for Kerry
.
The final was against Armagh
, the reigning Champions, and neighboring rivals. This was the first time that two counties from Ulster
had played in the All-Ireland Final, which was made possible by Armagh
's progress through the 'back door' system. After an entertaining match, Tyrone emerged as All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
winners for the first time in their history. It was an historic all northern final.
Peter Canavan
's contribution to the game was marvelled throughout the country. He started the match, and was taken off before half time. During the break, and even some way into the second half, he was receiving treatment to his ankle, including having pain killing injections. Then, with seven minutes remaining, he was re-introduced by manager Mickey Harte, a shrewd, albeit necessary, move, considering Canavan was the only member of the team who had ever played in an All Ireland final before, in 1995.
Seven Tyrone players won All-Stars in 2003, Cormac McAnallen
(which, along with his Young Player of the Year Award, would, tragically, turn out to be one of McAnallen's last honors as a Tyrone player - see below), Sean Cavanagh
, Conor Gormley, Phillip Jordan, Brian Dooher
, Brian McGuigan
and Peter Canavan
, winning his fifth All Star, added the Player of the Year Award to his haul. Canavan amassed a total of 1-48 (51 points) over the course of the Championship.
to be the captain, because of his attitude, and leadership skills. McAnallen had led the Minors, and Under-21s to All-Ireland glory, and was widely expected to do the same with the Senior panel.
McAnallen died suddenly in his sleep on March 2, 2004, from an undetected heart condition. His untimely death deeply affected the Tyrone team and the world of Gaelic Games as a whole. Just weeks before his death, he had captained the Tyrone side that won the Dr. McKenna Cup after an overwhelming victory over Donegal at Ballybofey.
Brian Dooher was appointed captain after this tragedy, but Tyrone's focus was disrupted severely by McAnallen's death. They reached the quarter-final of the 2004 Championship, where they were beaten by Mayo
. This only was Mickey Harte's second Championship defeat as manager, after losing to Donegal
in the Ulster Championship.
Sean Cavanagh
won his second All Star in a row in 2004.
The Tyrone Minor team won their sixth All-Ireland Final.
.
Tyrone quickly dispatched Down
in the first round, 1-13 to 1-6, before drawing against Cavan
. However, in the replay the scoreline was intimidating, with Tyrone winning 3-19 (28 points) to 0-7.
In the hugely entertaining drawn Ulster Final, Tyrone were four points ahead of rivals Armagh
with barely three minutes remaining, and had been on top throughout the match. However, Armagh's deadly marksman, Stephen McDonnell
scored a goal, and Oisin McConville
scored an equalizing point to send the match to a replay, on a scoreline of 0-14 for Tyrone, to Armagh's 2-8.
Stephen O'Neill got the Man Of The Match award, after scoring ten points.
The replayed match was as entertaining as its predecessor in the first half, but two rash sendings off by the referee, of Peter Canavan
(who had only came on the pitch as a substitute two minutes prior), and Stephen O'Neill (for a second yellow card) put Armagh in the driving seat. Armagh won the match by two points, 0-13 to 0-11.
Tyrone won their qualifying match against Monaghan
with a ten-point margin (2-14 to 1-07), and played Dublin
in the Quarter-Final.
In what is regarded as one of the greatest games of the year, if not of the decade, Tyrone and Dublin battled for a well-earned draw. The game is remembered for Eoin Mulligan
's stunning solo-running goal (described by the television commentator as "one of the great goals we have seen at Croke Park
") - effectively beating five Dublin players before hitting the net. The match ended 1-14 each.
In the replay, Tyrone emerged victorious, despite a battling effort from Dublin, 2-18 to 1-14.
Tyrone met Armagh
for the third time in one championship. In a very stifled game, where both teams were effectively canceling each other out, Tyrone had a free kick in injury time, which Peter Canavan
opted to take. He scored, sending Tyrone to the All-Ireland Final against Kerry. This match is also considered one of the games of the decade - because of the tactical decisions each manager had to take to break the deadlock, and the respect both teams paid each other. The final score was 1-13 to 1-12
Tyrone defeated Kerry
for the second time in three years to win the All-Ireland. Peter Canavan
, in his swansong performance, scored Tyrone's winning goal. Canavan had been used mostly as an impact substitution through the latter stages of the Championship, but was started for the Final.
The win sparked hugely emotional scenes among the Tyrone team and fans, in remembrance of Cormac McAnallen
. Upon being handed the trophy, captain, Brian Dooher
spoke of how he knew Cormac was with him.
Tyrone's All Star haul was one of the biggest of any All-Ireland winning team since the awards were introduced, with eight. Ryan McMenamin
and Eoin Mulligan
both won their first, Conor Gormley, Phillip Jordan, Brian Dooher
and Stephen O'Neill
all won their second, with O'Neill also being awarded the player of the year award. Sean Cavanagh
won his third All Star in a row, the first player to do since Peter Canavan in the nineties.
Tyrone exited the 2006 Football Championship after a poor display against Laois
, on a wet Saturday night in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. The Tyrone panel had been depleted by injury, with team captain Brian Dooher
(shattered kneecap), inspirational play maker Brian McGuigan
(broken leg) and midfielder Colin Holmes ruled out for the season, while other key players, including Stephen O'Neill
, Gerard Cavlan
and Conor Gormley, all missing most or all of the 2006 campaign due to injury.
in possibly his best performance in a Tyrone jersey. The final against Monaghan was a wonderful occasion as Clones played host once again to the Ulster Senior Football final after the 04,05,06 finals were at Croke Park in Dublin. The match itself was an up and down affair Tyrone raced into an early 1-5 to 0-1 lead their goal coming for left half back Phillip Jordan but Monaghan fought back to trail 1-8 to 0-7 at half time. The Second half then started much like the first with Tyrone extending their lead to 1-13 to 0-8, A Tomas Freeman
goal spurred a Monaghan fight back with the score at 1-13 to 1-10 Sean Cavanagh
opened up for Tyrone at wing half forward then scored a point to put 4 between the sides a Monagan free meant there was only a kick of a ball between the sides when Vincent Coreys shot was saved by keeper John Devine
Tyrones Owen Mulligan then hit the post to set up a tense finish but the final score ended 1-15 to 1-13 to give Tyrone an eleventh Ulster Title a 3rd since the turn of the Century. In the All-Ireland Quarter final Tyrone lost out to a hungrier Meath team on a scoreline of Meath 1-13 Tyrone 2-8.
At Minor Level Tyrone claimed a 20th Ulster title but their opponents Derry can feel hard done by because one of Tyrones points was clearly wide, however the umpire signaled it as a score Tyrone won the game on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-6
After Tyrone appeared to be coasting in there Ulster opener against Down
in Healy Park
being 7 points up at one stage thanks to Colm McCullagh
and Sean Cavanagh
goals Down fought back to earn a deserved draw with the final score being 2-8 apiece. Their replay in Newry will go down as an Ulster Championship classic. Down appeared to be heading for the semi finals of the Ulster Championship
a late scoring surge for Tryone (mostly Tommy McGuigan
) got them back in it and a late free forced Extra-Time. Tyrone appeared to get their act together and good scores from McGuigan,McCullough and Cavanagh gave Tyrone a 4-point lead. But to Downs credit they brought it back to two then a fortunes goal from Benny Coulter saw Down advance in this classic by a single point on a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-21.
Tyrone had to pick themselves up for the Qualifiers in which they faced Louth
at Drogheda. Louth only managed one score in the first half as Tyrone opened up a 10 point lead. To Louths credit they battled hard but at the end of the day there was a gulf in class Tyrone emerged 8 point winners final score was Tyrone 1-18 Louth 1-10 their goal coming from midfielder Enda McGinley
.
In round two, Tyrone again faced Leinster opposition in the form of Westmeath
Tyrone looked very comfortable especially when Westmeath were reduced to 13 players; the final scoreline was Tyrone 0-14 Westmeath 1-7 Man the match Brian Dooher
hit two points while Tommy McGuigan fined Tyrone's top-scorer with 6 points.
In the final round of Qualifiers, Tyrone faced beaten Connacht finalists Mayo
in Croke Park
on the 2nd of August in a tight game it was Tyrone's hunger that shone through after opening up a 3 point lead. Mayo's Conor Mortimer
finished a perfect team move to the back of the net Mayo led by a point a half time 1-5 to 0-7. Mayo took early control in the second half stretching their lead to 1-7 to 0-7 a missed Mortimer goal chance seem to be the turning point compiled with Mickey Harte
bringing on the lively Martin Penrose and 'workhorse' Colin Holmes
. Great points from Penrose, Cavanagh and McCullough gave Tyrone a lead they went to lose again after a few late 'scares' Tyrone advanced to the Quarter Finals by one point the final score was Tyrone 0-13 Mayo 1-9 , Man of the match was Enda McGinley
who won some vital possessions from clean catches and break ball, he also set up Penrose for a score and even managed a point himself! In the Quarter Finals Tyrone faced Dublin in a repeat of the 2005 clash. Tyrone made the brighter start to this game with early points from Tommy McGugian and Colm McCullagh , Dublin got back to level terms however Tyrone pulled away with 2 further points the pick from captain Brian Dooher and a goal from Sean Cavanagh gave them a comating 1-5 to 0-2 lead, a mix up in the Tyrone full back line lead to a soft Connall Keaney goal however Dublins celebrations were short lived an a beautiful angled ball from Tommy McGuigan gave Joe McMahon
a goal opportunity which he took in style to put Tyrone 2-5 to 1-2 up, Dublin scored another point before half-time to leave them trailing by 5 at the break. On the restart Tyrone added 2 points with McCullagh and Dooher the scorers . A brief Dublin revivial followed with back to back points, But Tyrone raced up the field with Colin Holmes
giving the ball McCullagh who the picked out the running half back David Harte and he made no mistake with the finish giving Tyrone a 3rd goal an ending the game as a contest. Harte, Cavanagh and Dooher added points but Dublin looked like a beat team with 20 minutes to go. While no Tyrone player had a bad game the GAA
man of the match award went to Brian Dooher
who scored 3 points and also set up vital plays bringing the ball out of defense. Tyrone then faced Wexford for a place in the senior football final but earlier in the day it was the Tyrone minors who booked their place in the final with a complete football performance, and eased past Meath
on a scoreline of 1-21 to 2-7. They face Mayo
in the final. The seniors then always looked comfortable in their meeting with Wexford. And after racking up an 8-point lead at half-time they went through pretty comfortably with 6 points to spare, However Wexford
did cause problems during 10 minutes of the second half to bring the gap down to two points, then scores from Phillip Jordan, Colm McCullagh
and Ryan McMenamin
made sure that Tyrone would set up a September 21 date with All Ireland champions Kerry (who beat Cork earlier in the day 3-14 to 2-13). Tyrone's Colm McCullagh
was named the GAA
Man of the match after setting up and indeed taking crucial scores at the right times. Stephen O'Neill
has rejoined the Tyrone squad for the upcoming All Ireland final with Kerry. On 21 September. When the 21st came it was the dream final, Tyrone started off with a point from Colm McCullagh then Colm Cooper
set the tone for the game with both sides going score for, however the most memorable point has to be an inspirational one from captain Brian Dooher
that leveled the game for the red hand county. this ended the first half with Kerry leading 0-8 points to Tyrones 0-7. Then after Tyrone making one change at half time bringing on Kevin Hughes
for Colin Holmes
, Tyrone got the perfect start to the 2nd half with a toe poked goal from Tommy McGuigan
but it was the two subs Stephen O'Neill
and Kevin Hughes that combined to set it up. After this the game continued with both teams going score just as Colm "the gooch" Cooper put Kerry 0-14 to 1-10 up came the most unforgettable ten minutes in Tyrone's gaa history. With the introduction of Brian McGuigan
Tyrone fitness and hunger began to tell after winning a break ball at midfield Tommy McGuigan
set up Sean Cavanagh
for Tyrones equalizer. Soon after Tyrone won another break in midfield and this time it was another sub Eoin Mulligan
who set up the superb Sean Cavanagh
to hit the score which put Tyrone 1 point ahead. There was time though for a heart-stopping moment in the Tyrone defense when Declan O'Sullivan
was though on goal but after being a late call up to the squad due to the untimely death of 1st choice goalie John Devine
's father, Pascal McConnell
made a match-winning save to deny Kerry a goal. After this though Tyrone pulled away with the steadiest player on the team Enda McGinley
scoring the clincher, straight after Tyrone's sub Kevin Hughes put real daylight between the sides, then after intercepting a kick-out Colm Cavanagh
made sure that Sam Maguire would be in Tyrone for a third time in 6 Years. The final whistle then went and it confrimed that the 2008 championship was won by Tyrone. Brian Dooher
made reference in his speech to the Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine as he could not play due to his father's death by saying "JD this is for you". At the team's victory banquet that night in the Citywest hotel Sean Cavanagh was named the GAA man of the match in which he scored 5 vital points and set up plays during the course of the game.
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
has been represented in Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for nearly a century, but until the mid eighties, the Senior team were considered among the weaker teams in Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
. However, today, Tyrone is considered one of the strongest teams in Ireland, having won All-Irelands
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
in 2003, 2005 and 2008.
Pre-1980s: Slow starts
Tyrone first won the Ulster ChampionshipUlster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
in 1956, and defended it in 1957, with a team that included the legendary Iggy Jones
Iggy Jones
Iggy Jones was a Tyrone Gaelic footballer who is now considered one of the greats of Tyrone football. He was part of the breakthrough Tyrone team that won back-to-back Ulster Championships in 1956 and 1957 - they hadn't previously won a chmapionship prior to that...
and Frankie Donnelly
Frankie Donnelly
Frankie Donnelly was a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who was part of Tyrone's breakthrough era in the mid-fifties, claiming two Ulster Championships in a row, with Donnelly being Ulster's top scorer in both those years....
. However, for the vast majority of the 20th Century, Tyrone were considered one the weaker teams in Ulster, which itself was probably considered the weakest province. Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
had been the dominant force in Ulster right up until the 1960s.
Tyrone didn't win a third Ulster title until 1973.
The Tyrone Minors however won the All-Ireland in 1947, 1948 and 1973. 1973 is remembered because Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly and Peter Canavan.He is...
, who captained the minor team, was also part of the Under-21 and Senior teams that won their Ulster Championships.
1980s: Hitting new heights
Tyrone's first successful era came in the mid-eighties with the star-studded team that included players such as Frank McGuiganFrank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly and Peter Canavan.He is...
, Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
, Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals and an All Star in 1986. He lives in The Moy, Co. Tyrone.-Background:...
and John Lynch
John Lynch (GAA)
John Lynch is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer, and All Star winner, who played in Tyrone's first ever All-Ireland Final in 1986.He also represented Ireland in an early rendition of the International Rules Series...
.
In 1980, Kevin McCabe
Kevin McCabe (GAA)
Kevin McCabe is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. Nickname [Tosser McCabe] He has the distinction of being Tyrone's first ever All Star award winner in 1980...
made history as Tyrone's first ever winner of an All Star Award
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
.
In 1984, Tyrone won their fourth Ulster Championship, with Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly and Peter Canavan.He is...
's display in the Ulster Final against Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
considered among the finest individual performances ever seen in Gaelic Games. He scored eleven points from open play, five with each foot, and one fisted over.
In 2004, his display was voted as one of the Top 20 GAA Moments
Top 20 GAA Moments
Top 20 GAA Moments was a poll of the best moments of Gaelic football and hurling in the television era. In early 2005, the Irish public chose its favourite from 20 memorable moments from the last 40 years, as selected by ten RTÉ sports personalities and featured on the "Sunday Sport" programme...
of the previous forty years (i.e. since the dawn of televised matches). McGuigan won an All-Star that year, as did Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
.
1986
In 1986, Tyrone reached their very first All-Ireland FinalAll-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
. However, they were the rank outsiders to beat Kerry, who were going for their third title in a row (and eighth in twelve years). At one stage in the second half, Tyrone had amassed a seven point lead (a penalty that could have put them nine points ahead was struck over the bar by Kevin McCabe), but two of their leading players on the day, Eugene McKenna, and John Lynch
John Lynch (GAA)
John Lynch is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer, and All Star winner, who played in Tyrone's first ever All-Ireland Final in 1986.He also represented Ireland in an early rendition of the International Rules Series...
had to be replaced due to injury, and the experience of Kerry shone through, going on to win by 2-15 to 1-10 (21 points to 13).
An unprecedented four Tyrone players won All-Star Awards that year, Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals and an All Star in 1986. He lives in The Moy, Co. Tyrone.-Background:...
, John Lynch, Damien O'Hagan
Damien O'Hagan
Damien O'Hagan is a former Tyrone Gaelic football player. He won an All Star Award in 1986, when he was part of the first Tyrone team to reach the All-Ireland final....
and Eugene McKenna won his second.
Tyrone beat Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
in the replayed 1989 Ulster Final, with Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy
Plunkett Donaghy is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals and an All Star in 1986. He lives in The Moy, Co. Tyrone.-Background:...
leading the team out that day. Eugene McKenna received his third All Star award that year, making him the leading representative of Tyrone in the All Star stakes.
1990s: Unfulfilled potential
The Tyrone Seniors went through a relatively dry patch in the early nineties (although the standard of Ulster Football had developed immeasurably - by 1994, three different Ulster teams had won the All-Ireland four times in a row), however the Under 21 team was making waves. Led by Peter CanavanPeter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
, the under age team reached three All-Ireland Finals, winning two in a row in 1991, and 1992. That team included young players like Adrian Cush
Adrian Cush
Adrian Cush is a former Gaelic footballer for Tyrone. He was part of the panel that played in Tyrone's second ever All-Ireland Final in 1995, and has enjoyed immense success on the underage scene....
, and Jody Gormley
Jody Gormley
Jody Gormley is a former Gaelic footballer for Tyrone, and London. He also played a coaching role for Down following his retirement from Inter-County playing, and has held the role of Antrim football manager. Gormley can now be found managing the Longstone football club in Co...
.
As that young team graduated to the Senior ranks, they brought their winning ways with them. In 1994, Tyrone reached the Ulster Final, being defeated by eventual All-Ireland winners - who possessed the crux of their 1991 All-Ireland-winning team - Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
. Although through this defeat a young talent was emerging, becoming Ulster's top scorer, and duly winning his first All Star - Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
.
1995
1995 was another huge year for Tyrone. Having defeated FermanaghFermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
in the first round, Tyrone faced 1993 All-Ireland winners, Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
in the Ulster Semi-Final. Despite going 0-8 to 0-5 down by half time and having two players sent off, Tyrone rode through the scorching heat and emerged as winners by a point. The match will probably be remembered by outsiders because of the many ugly incidents of fighting between the teams - including a ten-man brawl on the pitch, and Pascal Canavan
Pascal Canavan
Pascal Canavan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He played in Tyrone's second All-Ireland Final appearance in 1995 and captained Errigal Ciaran in 2002. He retired from Inter-county football in 2002, following Tyrone's success in the National Football League.Pascal is a Religious Education...
twice elbowing and twice punching a Derry player, which got him sent off.
In the Ulster Final, Tyrone were playing Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
, and were probably considered favorites. With the matched poised in the closing stages, Tyrone's two "super-subs", Matt McGleenan and Adrian Cush
Adrian Cush
Adrian Cush is a former Gaelic footballer for Tyrone. He was part of the panel that played in Tyrone's second ever All-Ireland Final in 1995, and has enjoyed immense success on the underage scene....
, teamed up to score the first of Tyrone's two goals. Cush lobbed the ball towards the goal, and McGleenan fisted it into the net. McGleenan became known within Tyrone because of this fisted goal. When Adrian Cush scored the second goal with less than two minutes remaining, the jubilant Tyrone fans (who were already lining the pitch) initiated a premature pitch invasion. However, they quickly broke, avoiding the possibility of the match being abandoned.
In the next game, the All-Ireland Semi-Final, Tyrone beat Galway, with Peter Canavan leading the team with a personal tally of 1-07.
In the All-Ireland Final against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
, Tyrone took an early lead, just as they had in 1986, but the Dubs fought back, and ended up winning the match by a single point, 1-10 to 0-12. Peter Canavan had scored eleven points that day, but still ended up on the losing side.
Tyrone fans remember the final with bitter taste, due to a few controversial decisions by referee, Paddy Russell. Russell sent Charlie Redmond
Charlie Redmond
Charlie Redmond is a Dublin born former Gaelic footballer for Dublin and current manager of Trinity Gaels seniors.Redmond is a fire fighter by profession and has featured in the Dublin fire brigade Halloween health and safety campaign...
off, but the player didn't leave the pitch for several minutes, meaning they were fielding an illegible player, before he was instructed for a second time to leave the field.
Also, with seconds remaining, and Tyrone down by a point, Russell (who was blidsided) adjudged Canavan to have touched the ball in the ground, when he was passing it to team-mate, Sean McLaughlin. McLaughlin put the ball over the bar, but the point was not counted.
Despite reaching the All-Ireland Final, only two Tyrone players won All-Stars in 1995, Peter Canavan and Fay Devlin
Fay Devlin
Fay Devlin is a former All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He played in the 1995 All-Ireland Final. He is a native of Ardboe in Tyrone.-References:...
.
1996
In 1996, Tyrone defended their Ulster crown beating DownDown GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in a rematch of the 1994 final.
Tyrone met a very physical Meath team
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. Having played a competitive and enjoyable first half, the country witnessed the emergence of stars of the future, Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
, and Gerard Cavlan
Gerard Cavlan
Gerard Cavlan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He was part of the team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2003, but was ejected from the team in 2007 when it transpired he was embroiled in an illegal dog fighting ring....
.
Tyrone fans remember this match because of the perceived "dirty" tactics by Meath. Several of Tyrone's key players sustained injuries during the second half of the match, including Peter Canavan, who subsequently found out he had been playing with a broken foot. Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
and Cairan McBride both had their heads heavily bandaged during the match (and had to receive staples to close the wounds during half time). The Managers' hands were tied, because they had used up their tally of three substitutions.
Two representatives from Tyrone were in the 1996 All-Star team, Finbar McConnell
Finbar McConnell
Finbar McConnell is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He was Tyrone's first-choice goalkeeper throughout most of the nineties, and played in the 1995 All-Ireland Final. He set a Tyrone record for being the first Tyrone player to win four Ulster Championship medals in 2001.In 1996, he won an All...
, and Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
, with his third in a row, matched Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
's personal tally.
Tyrone's management team of Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
and Art McRory
Art McRory
Art McRory is a former Tyrone Gaelic football Manager. The Dungannon man was manager on and off for nearly twenty five years, leading Tyrone to their first two periods of relative success - the All-Ireland Finals of 1986 and 1995...
stepped down after this defeat, and Danny Ball took over the reins. While under Ball's stewardship, Tyrone didn't reach another Senior Ulster final.
In 1998, the Tyrone Minors won the All-Ireland final for the first time in fifteen years, with a team that included such future stars as Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
, Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
, Ryan McMenamin
Ryan McMenamin
Ryan 'Ricey' McMenamin is a Canadian-born Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Tyrone. McMenamin has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Ulster Championships and two National League titles with the county. He has also been awarded an All Star for his performances in...
. This victory was particularly note-worthy because of the death of Paul McGirr in a match against Armagh the previous year.
2000s: Triumph at last
The 2000s have easily been the most successful period for Tyrone's footballers. The decade started with their second back-to-back All-Ireland Under-21 titles, this time captained by Cormac McAnallenCormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
. McAnallen became only the second person to do this, after Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
.
Tyrone Minors also showed their mettle in 2001, with an All-Ireland-winning display, with Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
leading the march.
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
and Art McRory
Art McRory
Art McRory is a former Tyrone Gaelic football Manager. The Dungannon man was manager on and off for nearly twenty five years, leading Tyrone to their first two periods of relative success - the All-Ireland Finals of 1986 and 1995...
were reinstalled as managers in 2001, which also saw the Seniors capture their ninth Ulster Championship, with many of the Under-21 team crossing over to the Senior ranks, including Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
, who won his first (and Tyrone's only) All Star that year.
Tyrone won their first ever Senior All-Ireland in 2002, albeit the 'second tier' competition, the National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
.
The introduction of the qualifying system allowed Tyrone to reach the All-Ireland quarter finals in 2002, where they were beaten by Sligo
Sligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
. Despite not playing in the Sligo match, Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
won his fourth All Star award, making him Tyrone's most prolific representative.
2003
2003 saw the introduction of the new Tyrone Manager, Mickey HarteMickey Harte
Michael "Mickey" Harte is the current manager of Tyrone Gaelic football team. He has led the team to three All-Ireland titles, three Ulster titles, one National League, and four Dr...
. Harte had already Tyrone and Ulster titles with his club, Errigal Ciaran, and with Tyrone at Minor and Under 21 level, but had not proved himself on the inter-county stage at Senior level. Also, the acrimonious departure of Art McRory
Art McRory
Art McRory is a former Tyrone Gaelic football Manager. The Dungannon man was manager on and off for nearly twenty five years, leading Tyrone to their first two periods of relative success - the All-Ireland Finals of 1986 and 1995...
and Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna
Eugene McKenna is a retired Gaelic footballer, and former Tyrone manager. With three All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player, two as a manager to his name, and his guiding of Tyrone to their first all-Ireland triumph, the 2002 National League, he is often considered...
, his predecessors, and two popular figures in Tyrone football over the previous twenty years, made many fans suspicious of his appointment. He soon laid those fears to rest however, immediately defending Tyrone's National League crown.
Tyrone then went on to win the Ulster Championship, beating Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in a replay, but with a massive margin of victory. After leaking four goals in the drawn match, Harte put Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
into the Full Back position, from his normal position in midfield. It turned out to be a wry move, Tyrone's ruthlessness in shooting at the posts, was now consolidated with a steadiness in defense.
In the All-Ireland Quarter Final (the next fixture), they met their spirited neighbors, Fermanagh
Fermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
. Tyrone ultimately proved much too strong for them however, and again won by a massive margin.
Their biggest test in the Championship came against Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in the Semi-Final. This was the first time Tyrone had met Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in the Championship since the All-Ireland Final in 1986. Many pundits believe this was Tyrone's definitive display of 2003. They deployed a 'blanket defense,' whereby as soon as they lost possession of the ball, all players were ready to win it back. Kerry players, from the full-back line to the forwards, found themselves harried by three or four players around them every time they got the ball, meaning they were under pressure for space, and time to release the ball. Detractors (famously, Pat Spillane
Pat Spillane
Patrick Gerard Spillane , better known as Pat Spillane, is a retired Gaelic footballer and well known Irish sports pundit. He played Gaelic football with his local club Templenoe and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1991...
, himself a Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
player from the 1986 final) called this style 'puke football' because it stifled the flow of the game of Gaelic football. It was extremely effective however, and the 0-13 to 0-6 scoreline that Tyrone won by was flattering for Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
.
The final was against Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
, the reigning Champions, and neighboring rivals. This was the first time that two counties from Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
had played in the All-Ireland Final, which was made possible by Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
's progress through the 'back door' system. After an entertaining match, Tyrone emerged as All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winners for the first time in their history. It was an historic all northern final.
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
's contribution to the game was marvelled throughout the country. He started the match, and was taken off before half time. During the break, and even some way into the second half, he was receiving treatment to his ankle, including having pain killing injections. Then, with seven minutes remaining, he was re-introduced by manager Mickey Harte, a shrewd, albeit necessary, move, considering Canavan was the only member of the team who had ever played in an All Ireland final before, in 1995.
Seven Tyrone players won All-Stars in 2003, Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
(which, along with his Young Player of the Year Award, would, tragically, turn out to be one of McAnallen's last honors as a Tyrone player - see below), Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
, Conor Gormley, Phillip Jordan, Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
, Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three All-Ireland medals in 2003 , 2005 and 2008....
and Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
, winning his fifth All Star, added the Player of the Year Award to his haul. Canavan amassed a total of 1-48 (51 points) over the course of the Championship.
Death of Cormac McAnallen
After the 2003 success, Canavan relinquished his captaincy, and Mickey Harte appointed 24-year-old Cormac McAnallenCormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
to be the captain, because of his attitude, and leadership skills. McAnallen had led the Minors, and Under-21s to All-Ireland glory, and was widely expected to do the same with the Senior panel.
McAnallen died suddenly in his sleep on March 2, 2004, from an undetected heart condition. His untimely death deeply affected the Tyrone team and the world of Gaelic Games as a whole. Just weeks before his death, he had captained the Tyrone side that won the Dr. McKenna Cup after an overwhelming victory over Donegal at Ballybofey.
Brian Dooher was appointed captain after this tragedy, but Tyrone's focus was disrupted severely by McAnallen's death. They reached the quarter-final of the 2004 Championship, where they were beaten by Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
. This only was Mickey Harte's second Championship defeat as manager, after losing to Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
in the Ulster Championship.
Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
won his second All Star in a row in 2004.
The Tyrone Minor team won their sixth All-Ireland Final.
2005
Tyrone underwent a mammoth run to their second All-Ireland crown in 2005, playing in some of the finest games in recent GAA history. They played an unprecedented ten matches before finally picking up the Sam Maguire CupSam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
.
Tyrone quickly dispatched Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in the first round, 1-13 to 1-6, before drawing against Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
. However, in the replay the scoreline was intimidating, with Tyrone winning 3-19 (28 points) to 0-7.
In the hugely entertaining drawn Ulster Final, Tyrone were four points ahead of rivals Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
with barely three minutes remaining, and had been on top throughout the match. However, Armagh's deadly marksman, Stephen McDonnell
Stephen McDonnell
-Playing career:Steven is the current right corner forward on the Armagh senior football panel. He most recent successes include his sides 2006, Ulster senior football championship winning medal for his part in Armagh's easily won victory over rivals Donegal...
scored a goal, and Oisin McConville
Oisín McConville
Oisín McConville is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Armagh in the 1990s and 2000s. He has won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal, seven Ulster Championships and a National League title with the county...
scored an equalizing point to send the match to a replay, on a scoreline of 0-14 for Tyrone, to Armagh's 2-8.
Stephen O'Neill got the Man Of The Match award, after scoring ten points.
The replayed match was as entertaining as its predecessor in the first half, but two rash sendings off by the referee, of Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
(who had only came on the pitch as a substitute two minutes prior), and Stephen O'Neill (for a second yellow card) put Armagh in the driving seat. Armagh won the match by two points, 0-13 to 0-11.
Tyrone won their qualifying match against Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
with a ten-point margin (2-14 to 1-07), and played Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the Quarter-Final.
In what is regarded as one of the greatest games of the year, if not of the decade, Tyrone and Dublin battled for a well-earned draw. The game is remembered for Eoin Mulligan
Eoin Mulligan
Eoin "Mugsy" Mulligan is an Irish Gaelic football player. He helped Tyrone win the 2003, 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland Finals and plays in Cookstown for the Fr...
's stunning solo-running goal (described by the television commentator as "one of the great goals we have seen at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
") - effectively beating five Dublin players before hitting the net. The match ended 1-14 each.
In the replay, Tyrone emerged victorious, despite a battling effort from Dublin, 2-18 to 1-14.
Tyrone met Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
for the third time in one championship. In a very stifled game, where both teams were effectively canceling each other out, Tyrone had a free kick in injury time, which Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
opted to take. He scored, sending Tyrone to the All-Ireland Final against Kerry. This match is also considered one of the games of the decade - because of the tactical decisions each manager had to take to break the deadlock, and the respect both teams paid each other. The final score was 1-13 to 1-12
Tyrone defeated Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
for the second time in three years to win the All-Ireland. Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
, in his swansong performance, scored Tyrone's winning goal. Canavan had been used mostly as an impact substitution through the latter stages of the Championship, but was started for the Final.
The win sparked hugely emotional scenes among the Tyrone team and fans, in remembrance of Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
. Upon being handed the trophy, captain, Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
spoke of how he knew Cormac was with him.
Tyrone's All Star haul was one of the biggest of any All-Ireland winning team since the awards were introduced, with eight. Ryan McMenamin
Ryan McMenamin
Ryan 'Ricey' McMenamin is a Canadian-born Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Tyrone. McMenamin has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Ulster Championships and two National League titles with the county. He has also been awarded an All Star for his performances in...
and Eoin Mulligan
Eoin Mulligan
Eoin "Mugsy" Mulligan is an Irish Gaelic football player. He helped Tyrone win the 2003, 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland Finals and plays in Cookstown for the Fr...
both won their first, Conor Gormley, Phillip Jordan, Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
and Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
all won their second, with O'Neill also being awarded the player of the year award. Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
won his third All Star in a row, the first player to do since Peter Canavan in the nineties.
Tyrone exited the 2006 Football Championship after a poor display against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
, on a wet Saturday night in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. The Tyrone panel had been depleted by injury, with team captain Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
(shattered kneecap), inspirational play maker Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three All-Ireland medals in 2003 , 2005 and 2008....
(broken leg) and midfielder Colin Holmes ruled out for the season, while other key players, including Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
, Gerard Cavlan
Gerard Cavlan
Gerard Cavlan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He was part of the team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2003, but was ejected from the team in 2007 when it transpired he was embroiled in an illegal dog fighting ring....
and Conor Gormley, all missing most or all of the 2006 campaign due to injury.
2007
The year 2007 can be view as a mediocre one for Tyrone. After a tough one point win over Fermanagh in the first round of the Ulster Championship, Tyrone then went on to give their best performance of 2007 by blitzing the National League Champions Donegal at St Tiernach's Park in Clones on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-7. The highlight of this match was a 5 point haul by captain Brian DooherBrian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
in possibly his best performance in a Tyrone jersey. The final against Monaghan was a wonderful occasion as Clones played host once again to the Ulster Senior Football final after the 04,05,06 finals were at Croke Park in Dublin. The match itself was an up and down affair Tyrone raced into an early 1-5 to 0-1 lead their goal coming for left half back Phillip Jordan but Monaghan fought back to trail 1-8 to 0-7 at half time. The Second half then started much like the first with Tyrone extending their lead to 1-13 to 0-8, A Tomas Freeman
Tomás Freeman
Tomás or Thomas "Tommy" Freeman is an Irish Gaelic footballer from Magheracloone, County Monaghan. He plays for Monaghan. He was awarded an All Star in 2007. Freeman plays his club football for Magheracloone Mitchells.-Personal life:...
goal spurred a Monaghan fight back with the score at 1-13 to 1-10 Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
opened up for Tyrone at wing half forward then scored a point to put 4 between the sides a Monagan free meant there was only a kick of a ball between the sides when Vincent Coreys shot was saved by keeper John Devine
John Devine
John Anthony Devine is an Irish former footballer and Manager/Coach.Born in Dublin, Devine joined London club Arsenal in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal , Devine turned professional in 1976...
Tyrones Owen Mulligan then hit the post to set up a tense finish but the final score ended 1-15 to 1-13 to give Tyrone an eleventh Ulster Title a 3rd since the turn of the Century. In the All-Ireland Quarter final Tyrone lost out to a hungrier Meath team on a scoreline of Meath 1-13 Tyrone 2-8.
At Minor Level Tyrone claimed a 20th Ulster title but their opponents Derry can feel hard done by because one of Tyrones points was clearly wide, however the umpire signaled it as a score Tyrone won the game on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-6
2008
The 2008 season may have started slowly for Tyrone but it certainly ended with a bang.After Tyrone appeared to be coasting in there Ulster opener against Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in Healy Park
Healy Park
Healy Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the second largest stadium in Northern Ireland with a modern capacity of approximately 18,500. It is the home of Omagh St. Enda's and the Tyrone Gaelic football teams. It is located on the Gortin...
being 7 points up at one stage thanks to Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh is a former Gaelic football player for County Tyrone who was a member of the 2005 All Ireland winning panel. He plays his club football for Dromore who won the League and Championship double in 2007....
and Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
goals Down fought back to earn a deserved draw with the final score being 2-8 apiece. Their replay in Newry will go down as an Ulster Championship classic. Down appeared to be heading for the semi finals of the Ulster Championship
Ulster Championship
Ulster Championship may refer to a number of Gaelic games competitions in Ulster:*Inter-county Gaelic football competitions:**Ulster Senior Football Championship**Ulster Under-21 Football Championship**Ulster Minor Football Championship...
a late scoring surge for Tryone (mostly Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who made his Ulster Championship debut on May 20, 2007, against Fermanagh.-Personal life:His older brother is three-time All-Ireland-winning Tyrone star, Brian McGuigan, and his father Frank is considered one of the legends of Tyrone football...
) got them back in it and a late free forced Extra-Time. Tyrone appeared to get their act together and good scores from McGuigan,McCullough and Cavanagh gave Tyrone a 4-point lead. But to Downs credit they brought it back to two then a fortunes goal from Benny Coulter saw Down advance in this classic by a single point on a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-21.
Tyrone had to pick themselves up for the Qualifiers in which they faced Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
at Drogheda. Louth only managed one score in the first half as Tyrone opened up a 10 point lead. To Louths credit they battled hard but at the end of the day there was a gulf in class Tyrone emerged 8 point winners final score was Tyrone 1-18 Louth 1-10 their goal coming from midfielder Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who was part of the All-Ireland-winning teams of 2003, 2005 and 2008. He is known for his hard working style of play and can also be noted for scoring from midfield. He announced his retirement from inter-county football in November 2011.-Football...
.
In round two, Tyrone again faced Leinster opposition in the form of Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
Tyrone looked very comfortable especially when Westmeath were reduced to 13 players; the final scoreline was Tyrone 0-14 Westmeath 1-7 Man the match Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
hit two points while Tommy McGuigan fined Tyrone's top-scorer with 6 points.
In the final round of Qualifiers, Tyrone faced beaten Connacht finalists Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
on the 2nd of August in a tight game it was Tyrone's hunger that shone through after opening up a 3 point lead. Mayo's Conor Mortimer
Conor Mortimer
Conor Mortimer is an Irish Gaelic football player for Mayo senior football team. He has also appeared for the Connacht provincial team in the Railway Cup and played his club football for Shrule-Glencorrib in Mayo and later with Dublin club Parnells. He has also played college football for DCU and...
finished a perfect team move to the back of the net Mayo led by a point a half time 1-5 to 0-7. Mayo took early control in the second half stretching their lead to 1-7 to 0-7 a missed Mortimer goal chance seem to be the turning point compiled with Mickey Harte
Mickey Harte
Michael "Mickey" Harte is the current manager of Tyrone Gaelic football team. He has led the team to three All-Ireland titles, three Ulster titles, one National League, and four Dr...
bringing on the lively Martin Penrose and 'workhorse' Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes is the name of:* Colin Holmes , British author, scholar, and historian* Colin Holmes , Gaelic football player for County Tyrone...
. Great points from Penrose, Cavanagh and McCullough gave Tyrone a lead they went to lose again after a few late 'scares' Tyrone advanced to the Quarter Finals by one point the final score was Tyrone 0-13 Mayo 1-9 , Man of the match was Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who was part of the All-Ireland-winning teams of 2003, 2005 and 2008. He is known for his hard working style of play and can also be noted for scoring from midfield. He announced his retirement from inter-county football in November 2011.-Football...
who won some vital possessions from clean catches and break ball, he also set up Penrose for a score and even managed a point himself! In the Quarter Finals Tyrone faced Dublin in a repeat of the 2005 clash. Tyrone made the brighter start to this game with early points from Tommy McGugian and Colm McCullagh , Dublin got back to level terms however Tyrone pulled away with 2 further points the pick from captain Brian Dooher and a goal from Sean Cavanagh gave them a comating 1-5 to 0-2 lead, a mix up in the Tyrone full back line lead to a soft Connall Keaney goal however Dublins celebrations were short lived an a beautiful angled ball from Tommy McGuigan gave Joe McMahon
Joe McMahon
Joe McMahon is a two-time All-Ireland-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He started the 2005 All-Ireland Final, but had to be replaced because of injury, making him the first Omagh man to win an All-Ireland...
a goal opportunity which he took in style to put Tyrone 2-5 to 1-2 up, Dublin scored another point before half-time to leave them trailing by 5 at the break. On the restart Tyrone added 2 points with McCullagh and Dooher the scorers . A brief Dublin revivial followed with back to back points, But Tyrone raced up the field with Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes is the name of:* Colin Holmes , British author, scholar, and historian* Colin Holmes , Gaelic football player for County Tyrone...
giving the ball McCullagh who the picked out the running half back David Harte and he made no mistake with the finish giving Tyrone a 3rd goal an ending the game as a contest. Harte, Cavanagh and Dooher added points but Dublin looked like a beat team with 20 minutes to go. While no Tyrone player had a bad game the GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
man of the match award went to Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
who scored 3 points and also set up vital plays bringing the ball out of defense. Tyrone then faced Wexford for a place in the senior football final but earlier in the day it was the Tyrone minors who booked their place in the final with a complete football performance, and eased past Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
on a scoreline of 1-21 to 2-7. They face Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the final. The seniors then always looked comfortable in their meeting with Wexford. And after racking up an 8-point lead at half-time they went through pretty comfortably with 6 points to spare, However Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
did cause problems during 10 minutes of the second half to bring the gap down to two points, then scores from Phillip Jordan, Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh is a former Gaelic football player for County Tyrone who was a member of the 2005 All Ireland winning panel. He plays his club football for Dromore who won the League and Championship double in 2007....
and Ryan McMenamin
Ryan McMenamin
Ryan 'Ricey' McMenamin is a Canadian-born Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Tyrone. McMenamin has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Ulster Championships and two National League titles with the county. He has also been awarded an All Star for his performances in...
made sure that Tyrone would set up a September 21 date with All Ireland champions Kerry (who beat Cork earlier in the day 3-14 to 2-13). Tyrone's Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh
Colm McCullagh is a former Gaelic football player for County Tyrone who was a member of the 2005 All Ireland winning panel. He plays his club football for Dromore who won the League and Championship double in 2007....
was named the GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
Man of the match after setting up and indeed taking crucial scores at the right times. Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
has rejoined the Tyrone squad for the upcoming All Ireland final with Kerry. On 21 September. When the 21st came it was the dream final, Tyrone started off with a point from Colm McCullagh then Colm Cooper
Colm Cooper
Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Dr. Croke’s and has been a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team since 2002. Cooper is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.-Club:Cooper helped Dr. Crokes win the 2000 Kerry...
set the tone for the game with both sides going score for, however the most memorable point has to be an inspirational one from captain Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
that leveled the game for the red hand county. this ended the first half with Kerry leading 0-8 points to Tyrones 0-7. Then after Tyrone making one change at half time bringing on Kevin Hughes
Kevin Hughes (GAA)
Kevin Hughes is an All-Ireland-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He was a major figure in Tyrone's midfield on their way to their first ever All-Ireland triumph in 2003, earning the Man of the Match for the All-Ireland final against Armagh....
for Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes
Colin Holmes is the name of:* Colin Holmes , British author, scholar, and historian* Colin Holmes , Gaelic football player for County Tyrone...
, Tyrone got the perfect start to the 2nd half with a toe poked goal from Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who made his Ulster Championship debut on May 20, 2007, against Fermanagh.-Personal life:His older brother is three-time All-Ireland-winning Tyrone star, Brian McGuigan, and his father Frank is considered one of the legends of Tyrone football...
but it was the two subs Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill
Stephen O'Neill is a Gaelic footballer from Strabane, Northern Ireland, who plays for the Tyrone Senior football team. He won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, two Under 21 medals, and a Minor medal...
and Kevin Hughes that combined to set it up. After this the game continued with both teams going score just as Colm "the gooch" Cooper put Kerry 0-14 to 1-10 up came the most unforgettable ten minutes in Tyrone's gaa history. With the introduction of Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three All-Ireland medals in 2003 , 2005 and 2008....
Tyrone fitness and hunger began to tell after winning a break ball at midfield Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan
Tommy McGuigan is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who made his Ulster Championship debut on May 20, 2007, against Fermanagh.-Personal life:His older brother is three-time All-Ireland-winning Tyrone star, Brian McGuigan, and his father Frank is considered one of the legends of Tyrone football...
set up Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
for Tyrones equalizer. Soon after Tyrone won another break in midfield and this time it was another sub Eoin Mulligan
Eoin Mulligan
Eoin "Mugsy" Mulligan is an Irish Gaelic football player. He helped Tyrone win the 2003, 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland Finals and plays in Cookstown for the Fr...
who set up the superb Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
to hit the score which put Tyrone 1 point ahead. There was time though for a heart-stopping moment in the Tyrone defense when Declan O'Sullivan
Declan O'Sullivan
Declan O'Sullivan Declan O'Sullivan Declan O'Sullivan (born 1983 in Cahersiveen, County Kerry is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Dromid Pearses, his divisional side South Kerry and has been a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team since 2003...
was though on goal but after being a late call up to the squad due to the untimely death of 1st choice goalie John Devine
John Devine
John Anthony Devine is an Irish former footballer and Manager/Coach.Born in Dublin, Devine joined London club Arsenal in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal , Devine turned professional in 1976...
's father, Pascal McConnell
Pascal McConnell
Pascal McConnell is an All-Ireland-winning Gaelic footballer for Tyrone. He currently competes with John Devine to be first choice goalkeeper for Tyrone.In 1998, McConnell played alongside Stephen O'Neill in the MacRory Cup semi-final for Omagh CBS....
made a match-winning save to deny Kerry a goal. After this though Tyrone pulled away with the steadiest player on the team Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley
Enda McGinley is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who was part of the All-Ireland-winning teams of 2003, 2005 and 2008. He is known for his hard working style of play and can also be noted for scoring from midfield. He announced his retirement from inter-county football in November 2011.-Football...
scoring the clincher, straight after Tyrone's sub Kevin Hughes put real daylight between the sides, then after intercepting a kick-out Colm Cavanagh
Colm Cavanagh
Colm Cavanagh is a Tyrone Gaelic footballer from Moy. He is the younger brother of treble All Star-winner Tyrone player, Sean. He also plays for the University of Ulster team, and in 2007, reached the Sigerson Cup Final....
made sure that Sam Maguire would be in Tyrone for a third time in 6 Years. The final whistle then went and it confrimed that the 2008 championship was won by Tyrone. Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher
Brian Dooher is an Irish Gaelic footballer who was a member for Tyrone between 1995 and 2011.He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship and two National League titles with the county...
made reference in his speech to the Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine as he could not play due to his father's death by saying "JD this is for you". At the team's victory banquet that night in the Citywest hotel Sean Cavanagh was named the GAA man of the match in which he scored 5 vital points and set up plays during the course of the game.