Football

Tyrone invite five members of All-Ireland U20 winning team onto senior panel

Red Hands defeated Kerry in last weekend’s U20 final

Tyrone players celebrate with the trophy after their win over Kerry in the All-Ireland U20 Football Championship final at Portlaoise on Sunday Picture: Oliver McVeigh
Tyrone players celebrate with the trophy after their win over Kerry in the All-Ireland U20 Football Championship final at Portlaoise on Sunday Picture: Oliver McVeigh
By Francis Mooney

Five members of Tyrone’s All-Ireland U20 winning team have been invited to join the senior squad ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland SFC round robin clash with Donegal.

Goalkeeper Conor McAneney, defenders Michael Rafferty and Shea O’Hare, along with attackers Eoin McElholm and Ronan Cassidy, are all set to make an immediate step up to the senior ranks.

Derry v Tyrone U20s
Tyrone skipper Michael Rafferty (right) is believed to have accepted an invitation to become part of the Red Hands' senior squad (Oliver McVeigh)

It’s understood McElholm, who scored seven points from play in the victory over Kerry at Portlaoise, and U20 team captain Rafferty have accepted the invitation, and the others are currently considering the offer.

The Red Hand U20s claimed a second U20 title in three seasons with a scintillating display of attacking football last weekend, defeating Kerry by 1-20 to 1-14 at O’Moore Park.