Dooher: No return date for recovering Logan

Brian Dooher confirmed that his Tyrone joint-manager Feargal Logan is recovering well from health issues.

Mon, 19 Feb, 2024 - 06:40

Maurice Brosnan

The classic coaching scenario. One final attack and a chance to snatch an equaliser. Ultimately, Tyrone failed to take it and suffered a one-point defeat at home against Galway. Their management’s assessment?

“It didn’t happen, we didn’t get the shot off quick enough,” Brian Dooher said post-match. “The whistle went, that was it. Game over. Should we have? We will look at it. We probably should have had (a shot). But we didn’t. These ifs and buts.

“I was surprised, I thought there would be a bit more (time). That is the situation. You have to live with it.”

In the final minute, Galway captain Sean Kelly conceded a free deep in Tyrone’s half. Tyrone tried to work a shooting opportunity and the lively Ciarán Daly, who had already scored his third point of the day in the final quarter to close the gap, had a chance but tried to find a better placed team-mate. It was too late.

Away from the pitch, Dooher confirmed that joint-manager Feargal Logan is recovering well. Tyrone GAA announced earlier this month that Logan is currently dealing with health issues. He was on the sideline for their league opener against Roscommon but missed the second-round clash versus Derry and Sunday’s tie.

“Feargal is doing well and recovering well. We’re all glad to see that. It’s just going to be a full journey back to recovery for him. We’ll see how long it takes.”

It remains to be seen if Logan will return to the sideline this season.

“It’s not for me to determine that. He’s recovering well and that’s as much as I know. We’re just sending best wishes to him and he’s definitely doing well.

“We’ve a strong backroom panel here and plenty of others putting their shoulder to the wheel. There are a lot of people doing what they normally do, so there is no issue there.”

Tyrone are at home once more next Saturday as they welcome Mayo to O’Neills Healy Park. After three rounds they are third from bottom with two points on the board. Dooher does not believe they are in relegation trouble currently; the year is long and the commitment is full.

I wouldn’t say we’re that far down the road, but every two points are vital. We’ve two to go for next Saturday and we’ll fully commit to that and giving the best account of ourselves. That is all we can ask for. The boys worked hard today. The rub of the green didn’t go our way at times and at times we took the wrong decision, but you couldn’t have faulted the effort.”