With an Ulster U20 Championship medal in his pocket and a summer of enticing possibilities to explore, Antoin Fox was living the teenage dream.
But the joy turned to distress on a balmy July afternoon at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.
Just a few minutes in to last year’s All-Ireland semi-final against Cork, a serious ankle injury ended his game, and his season, and he could only watch on helplessly as the Rebels edged a thriller by two points.
Tyrone’s classy centre back, the commanding figure that held the defence together, was indispensable and inreplaceable, and his loss arguably cost the Red Hands an All-Ireland title.
The injury sidelined Fox for six months, but he’s back to take on a new challenge as captain of the side that will face Armagh in Saturday’s opener at the Athletic Grounds.
“After about three minutes or so, I did the ankle, tore ligaments on both sides and fractured it as well, and I was out for 27 weeks.
“I was back just two weeks before the Antrim game (Leo Murphy Cup), I struggled through that, but I got through it anyway,” he said.
the extended spell of recovery and rehabilitation which followed surgery also ruled Fox out of Loughmacrory’s promotion push, which ended successfully with the club returning to Division One.
“That was unfortunate, I was looking forward for a good year of Championship with the club, but they got up to senior, they worked hard themselves, and they got their reward.
“They’re in Division One now and that’s where they want to be. Hopefully I’ll have an injury-free year and I’ll be part of that.”
Fox, also an All-Ireland champion Handballer, was part of the Tyrone team that won the inaugural All-Ireland U17 title three years ago, and that group of players has stuck together.
“The U17s were captained by Cormac Munroe, a good captain, and this is the same team that’s coming through now, with a couple of new faces.
“It’s a great honour to get the captaincy, but it doesn’t mean anything really, for the team is full of leaders, and it’s all about lifting the silverware at the end of the day.”
And he insists that the Minor triumph of three years ago provides no guarantee of continued success for a talented group of players.
“It means nothing. The medals from U17 are in the back pocket, and it’s a clean slate now.
“It’s a whole different ball game, with the season being pulled forward and now being so short, it’s just about what team can click the quickest and adapt on the day.
“For us, we’re looking forward to the Armagh game, and that’s all we’re looking at.
“Armagh are in the same boat as us, they’re trying to get out and get as much training done as possible with the short season ahead.”
Regarded as one of the county’s brightest young prospects, he has been tipped for a call-up to Mickey Harte’s senior squad.
Clubmate Conall Grimes, a member of last year’s successful Tyrone U20 team, has already progressed to the senior set-up, and Fox would welcome the opportunity to join him.
“I wouldn’t turn it down, but at the minute the focus is just on Armagh, and whatever comes after that. If the call comes, the call comes, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’ll just keep working hard.
“Conall joining the seniors is great for the club, especially after us getting promotion this year. For a Loughmacrory man to get on to the Tyrone senior squad, it brings such excitement to the club, and it just lifts the people.
“In Loughmacrory the parish is so tight, and everybody gets behind you. Hopefully he pushes hard for the panel for the Championship.”
