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Back in the day - Art McRory and Eugene McKenna take Tyrone reins - The Irish News, Sep 20 1999

Armagh's Joe Kernan and Tyrone's Eugene McKenna in action
Armagh's Joe Kernan and Tyrone's Eugene McKenna in action Armagh's Joe Kernan and Tyrone's Eugene McKenna in action

ART McRory and Eugene McKenna were last night reinstalled as joint managers of the Tyrone Senior Football team.

The pair only agreed to take the job over the weekend but the news had been expected and indeed inevitable from the time the county board said they wanted to appoint from within the county.

The two men are the most successful team managers the county has produced, leading Tyrone to the All-Ireland final in 1995 and back to back Ulster Championships in ‘95 and ‘96.

McRory was also in charge when Tyrone reached their first All-Ireland final in 1986 but last night he dismissed suggestions there would be instant pressure on the duo to repeat or excel their previous feats.

“We are certainly not looking at it in those terms,” he said. “We’ve been there long enough to know that.”

Eugene McKenna, who is thought to have heavy work commitments, finally agreed to come on board after showing initial reluctance when negotiations started well over a fortnight ago.

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Derry SFC final: Bellaghy 1-11 Ballinderry 0-12

Tones winning hand all down to the eight of Diamond’s

BELLAGHY once again proved masters of the ball in Derry as they edged out Ballinderry in a close and hard fought contest to retain the McLaughlin Cup.

The last of Gavin Diamond’s eight points, his first from play, proved crucial, edging the Wolfe Tones ahead when a draw seemed certain and Man of the Match Damian Cassidy sealed victory with the insurance score as the Shamrocks tried once again to draw level.

The champions led by four points early on and by three on two other occasions but each time the fighting spirit of the young challengers shone through until time ran out at the end.

Bellaghy showed they had the right stuff too and corner back Paddy Downey hailed their victory as a firm response to their critics.

One of three players hampered by flu in the build-up to the match along with Cathal Diamond and skipper Karl Diamond, Downey claimed: “We wanted it that wee bit more.

“All week we’ve heard and read that we were not playing well but this was a gutsy performance, it showed what we are capable of.

“This was important for us, it’s the last Derry championship for Damian Cassidy and Danny Quinn and this win was for them as well as for the club.”

Bellaghy: K O’Neill; P Downey, C Diamond, Peter Diamond; L McPeake (1-0), C McNally, G Doherty; Paul Diamond, F Doherty; G Diamond (0-8, 7 frees), K Diamond (Capt) J Cassidy (0-2); E Cassidy, C Scullion, D Cassidy (0-1),

Subs: J Mulholland for McPeake(h/t), D Quinn for F Doherty (55)

Ballinderry: M Conlon; P Wilson, N McCusker, D Crozier; C McCusker, R McGuckin, O Bell; M Wilson (0-1), E Muldoon (Capt); B MacOscar (0-3), C Gilligan (0-1), A McGuckin; D Bateson, G Cassidy (0-6, 5 frees), D Conway (0-1)

Subs: J Conway for Bateson (42), J Bell for MacOscar (49)

Ref: Dessie Kearney (Glen)