O'Rourke has pedigree to land Tyrone's fifth All-Ireland

Extra.ie​

29-05-2025

For a calm man with a studied demeanour, Malachy O'Rourke has a long record of explosive impacts.
The roll-call of achievements from his first season in a job is staggeringly good. In 2008, he led his native Fermanagh to their first Ulster final in 26 years, and they only lost to Armagh after a replay.
In 2013, his debut season in charge of Monaghan brought their first Ulster title in 28 years. They reached the finals of 2014 and 2015 as well, winning in the latter campaign. Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke has a consoling word with Jim McGuinness. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
In 2021, he took Glen to their first-ever Derry championship; they went on to win the next two, and crowned their success with the All-Ireland club title in 2024. His appointment as Tyrone manager was hailed as a wise move, but also perhaps not fully appreciated, given just how good O'Rourke is.
That reputation endures even in a football landscape transformed by rules which might have been expected to hamper his more conservative instincts.
The Allianz League hinted, but only modestly, at the potential in a partnership of a veteran, wily manager and a playing group that is a tantalising mix of experienced All-Ireland winners and the bounty of successive exceptional Under 20 teams. Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Wednesday's riotous second-half performance against Louth gave Tyrone their third All-Ireland title at that grade in four years, and only fattened already robust expectations of what could be achieved in this season and in campaigns to come.
There is no county better equipped for the years to come — but given O'Rourke's pedigree and the proven quality already available, hope grows within Tyrone that this year could yet deliver Sam Maguire. That the League ended in relegation was the result of some clunky form but it was also a freak; Tyrone won three of their seven matches, drawing another one, and were relegated on seven points.
Kerry took second place in the table and a League final place with eight points. And the evidence of the Championship so far is that of a team steadily finding its groove.
O'Rourke was certainly among the managers who had reservations about the Football Review Committee (FRC) overhaul during the League — despite his role with Jim Gavin's committee, which he left upon his appointment to the Tyrone role. Ciaran Daly, left, and Darren McCurry of Tyrone. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He had reservations about the new kick-out rules and the initial rules around the 3v3 in the event of a player being sent off.
But tellingly, he also predicted that the transformative effect of the changes would be most felt when pitches dried and hardened. And it's true that football's glorious rebirth began through the baking days of late April and the first half of May.
But it's also a fact that one of the most impressive performances of the Championship so far was delivered by O'Rourke's side on a night of squalls and showers in against Donegal in Ballybofey last Saturday.
Deliverance came through the boots of Darren McCurry and Peter Harte late on, a pair of hardy veterans, but Seánie O'Donnell, an alumnus of the 2022 U20 champions, filched two goals and also pinned Ryan McHugh back.
The return of Pádraig Hampsey strengthened a defence playing behind the best keeper in the country in Niall Morgan. Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Every time he places a ball on the tee, he has the reassurance of looking out at the best midfield in the country, the pairing of Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick.
And now O'Rourke can harvest U20s from this year's winning side to supplement plans which already extend to the knock-out stages, given the importance of last weekend's win.
They also look good to make it two out of two in Omagh tomorrow night, with a fragile-looking Mayo visiting Healy Park. Their loss to Cavan in their first group game was disastrous, while the sombre news of Kevin McStay's health concerns obliging him to step away from the sideline, is a further complication.
If beating fancied Donegal in their imposing home patch has transformed the look of Tyrone's season, the 5-16 to 0-17 win the U20s recorded over Louth in Armagh on Wednesday has lightened the mood even further. Noah Grimes. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
It was a performance featuring many of the impressive characteristics of the three All-Ireland-winning teams to emerge from Tyrone in the past three years, in particular the composure of players on the ball and in tight contests.
Because this was a gripping contest for 40 minutes, with Tyrone eking out a two-point lead but then devastating Louth over the final quarter of an hour; they out-scored the Leinster champions 3-7 to 0-4.
Noah Grimes scored 2-6 and was named man of the match, with Eoin McElholm landing 2-4. The latter, man of the match in last year's victorious final, has already established himself in the senior squad and came off the bench in Ballybofey.
He is sure to become more central to O'Rourke's plans in the coming weeks, and that attacking edge is perhaps the one area of the game where Tyrone have looked unconvincing this year.
Their defence was ropy-looking during the spring, too, but the return of Hampsey after missing the League following shoulder surgery is a major corrective, while the half-back line of Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan and Kieran McGeary is key on both sides of the ball.
Losing to Mayo would not have much of an impact on their progression to the knock-out stages, but it would be a rare blip in a season that has taken off. Even their Ulster semi-final defeat to Armagh came in a classic as they lost by a point in 45-point game.
O'Rourke's strong record of delivery brought excitement to Fermanagh, joy to Monaghan and unprecedented jubilation to a small club in Derry.
Delivering Tyrone's fifth-ever All-Ireland would be his greatest feat yet. It's an ambition that grows more convincing with every game they play.