FORMER Antrim and Carlow boss Kevin Ryan has been appointed manager of the Tyrone senior hurling team.
The Mount Sion clubman takes over the post on an interim basis, following the departure of Dominic Kearns. Kearns left the position after just a few weeks, stepping down after taking just a handful of training sessions.
“We’re delighted to have a man of such calibre taking over as Tyrone manager, and we’re confident he will make a positive contribution to the continued progress of the senior team,” said Tyrone PRO Eunan Lindsay.
Ryan stepped down as Antrim manager last August following a disappointing season which saw the Saffrons relegated to Division 2A of the NHL.
However, he has an impressive CV and a significant reputation following his work at inter-county and club level, which included spells in charge of Mount Sion and Oulart-the-Ballagh.
During his three-year term with Antrim, he also managed the county’s U21 side, guiding them to an appearance in the All-Ireland final in 2013.
Ryan will get down to work immediately, and has just a couple of weeks to make up for lost time and prepare the Red Hands for their NHL Division 3A opener on February 14, an Ulster derby against Monaghan at Castleblayney.
He has yet to put in place his back-room team and is understood to be holding discussions with a number of individuals.
The county board was under pressure to make a high-profile appointment following the shock departure of Antrim man Kearns earlier this month.
Kearns had succeeded Mattie Lennon, who stepped down at the end of last season following two successful campaigns in charge. Under his stewardship, the Red Hands won a first ever Nicky Rackard Cup title and secured successive league promotions.
