CONFUSION surrounds the future of Tyrone strength and conditioning coach Peter Donnelly as speculation mounted yesterday that he had tendered his resignation.
The news will come as a body blow to the Tyrone set-up ahead of the National League fixture with Derry in Healy Park on Saturday night. Donnelly is also the lead strength and conditioning coach with the county’s U21 side, who meet Cavan in the opening round of the Ulster Championship on March 16.
It is understood that Donnelly has attempted, on several occasions, to outline to the county executive how he would like to see the preparation of players from the new academy set-up right through to senior level.
A former Tyrone player indicated that “Peter Donnelly’s value to Tyrone GAA is being questioned by the county executive”. It is believed that this has prompted his decision to tender his resignation.
The Tyrone County Board last night declined to comment on Donnelly’s position. This resignation comes on the back of protracted negotiations between the county officers and Mickey Harte ahead of the Errigal Ciaran man’s return to the senior management job last year.
After several weeks of uncertainty, Harte was returned to the post on the back of a unanimous vote by club delegates.
Back in November the current U21 management had also highlighted a number of areas of disagreement with the county officers before confirming that they would continue in the job in 2016.
