FEARGAL Logan hopes Red Hand followers haven’t seen the last of Conor McKenna in a Tyrone jersey as the former Aussie Rules ace prepares to head Down Under once again.
Having starred in the Tyrone minor side who reached the 2013 All Ireland final, McKenna lit up the AFL during five years with Essendon. However, he eventually returned home in 2020, featuring in Mickey Harte’s final Championship campaign as Red Hand boss.
The following year the Eglish man played a key role as Tyrone – under new managers Logan and Brian Dooher – went all the way to All-Ireland glory, McKenna’s two goals helping sink Kerry in the semi-final.
But now, with that dream fulfilled, the 26-year-old appears set for a return to Australia after informing Red Hand players and management of his decision in recent days.
It is a blow for the Tyrone management as they bid to bounce back from a disappointing 2022, but Logan insists McKenna leaves with the best wishes of an entire county.
“Conor made a career in Australia to start with, he set aside that career to come home and win an All-Ireland with Tyrone - he honoured his word and he honoured it very quickly,” he said.
“Conor is a very talented and unique sportsman who is wanted on two continents, and he goes with every good wish because since he came on the radar as a minor he was a very exciting talent, and he’s been an exciting footballer since.
“He plays with an energy and an enthusiasm, and a speed, that’s very hard to match. He clearly captured the public’s imagination in Australia, he has captured the GAA public’s imagination, and that’s because he’s a super talent.
“It’s so good that he was able to come home and fulfil one of his ambitions, and now we have to deal with him moving on and getting back into his career, which he had forfeited for the benefit of Tyrone football.”
McKenna struggled for form during Tyrone’s National League campaign this year, which saw relegation to Division Two narrowly avoided after a stuttering start.
But he made an instant impact when Championship rolled around, coming off the bench at half-time to spark the Red Hands into life in their Ulster opener against Fermanagh before picking up a controversial red card – which was subsequently overturned – late on.
That was as good it got for Tyrone, however, as defeats to Derry and Armagh ended their All-Ireland title defence. Yet, although McKenna failed to hit the heights of the previous year, Logan doesn’t believe his focus was on the wane.
“Conor’s a free spirit, he’s unbridled, and he’s a very likeable young man.
“No more than anybody else this year would I have thought that his mind was elsewhere, it’s just that he is a free spirit and he has taken on another challenge and you have to hand it to him for taking on another big challenge and going at it in Australia.
“We’ll all be watching to see how he gets on.”
And the Tyrone joint manager hopes June’s defeat to Armagh at the Athletic Grounds does not turn out to be his final appearance in county colours.
“Conor’s still young, he’s very talented, very athletic and, listen, who knows what the future holds? No-one knows that, and there’s nothing more unpredictable than sport.
“Things can change very quickly and who knows, he may well return to the Tyrone GAA and he’d be welcomed with open arms for all his contribution to date and his ability, I have no doubt about that.”
