Malachy O'Rourke set to become new Tyrone manager

DEAD CERT: Malachy O'Rourke is set to take over as manager of the Tyrone footballers. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

It is looking highly likely that Malachy O'Rourke will become the next manager of the Tyrone senior footballers.

BBC Northern Ireland report that Fermanagh native O'Rourke was the only person nominated to succeed Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher in the role. He was nominated by Errigal Ciaran, the club with which he won titles as both a player and manager.

It's more than five years since O'Rourke stepped down as manager of the Monaghan, his last inter-county job. In the interim, he was linked with the Donegal and Derry jobs. 

He has enjoyed success on the club scene since, taking over as manager of Glen in 2020 and leading them to three Derry titles, two Ulster titles and the All-Ireland senior club crown in January with victory over St Brigids. They also controversially lost the 2023 final to Kilmacud Crokes. O'Rourke is still manager of Glen. The club had never won a senior county title prior to his arrival.

O'Rourke, who lives in the Tyrone village of Ballygawley, spent seven years in charge of Monaghan, managing them to Ulster titles in 2013 and 2015, and a one-point All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tyrone in 2018. He also led Fermanagh to the 2008 Ulster final.

Logan and Dooher were appointed joint-managers of Tyrone in late 2020 and took the county to their fourth ever All-Ireland title the following year with victory over Mayo in the final. 

O'Rourke would have the backing of the players, and could be appointed as early as next week with a Tyrone county board meeting scheduled for Tuesday.