Hopes of game of hurling developing in Tyrone

THE game of hurling will develop in Tyrone only if all members of the GAA family are working together, a key officer has claimed.

The county’s Hurling officer, Aidan Maguire, said a number of challenges face the small ball game, and in order to meet them, all stakeholders must be pulling in the same direction.

“Many ingredients are needed to develop hurling in our county. When all are pulling positively in the same direction, we will get the best results at club and county level,” he said in his annual report.

“The mixing and mutually respectful interaction of all ingredients is essential to produce ‘an cáca milis’.

“Development football teams are controversial and need to be closely managed, our Fixtures Review Committee is thankfully looking after this.”

He stressed that planning is the key to avoiding clashes in relation to fixtures and availability of players.

“Rather than highlighting flashpoints where finger-pointing is the temptation, it is much better to plan and avoid as many of these as possible. ‘The cáca milis’ can be baked with respect. Everyone must commit.”

Maguire highlighted a number of issues that require attention, including a hurling development plan and the recruitment of referees.

He outlined the key points;

- Functionality of competitions, clubs, teams within clubs. Where and when is intervention needed or accepted?

- A Development Plan for Hurling, and its implementation.

- Recruitment and retention of coaching staff in the county.

- Recruitment, retention and mentoring of referees.

- Careful blending of all ingredients.

- Competition and trust between clubs eg dual players.

There are many reasons for optimism, including high performance levels from Tyrone under-age teams in the past season, according to the Hurling officer.

“2025 has been another successful year for our county teams. We are striving to get to the point where discussion will not focus predominantly on fixtures but more improvement here is essential.

“There are promising reports of increased activity in schools, it just takes an individual to light a spark.

“There is also increased second level participation in competitions and Primary Schools’ cover is good with our coaching staff.

Competitions Control Committee chairman, Raymond Monteith, reported that an earlier start to youth hurling in 2025 proved to be a success.

“The Hurling Development Committee recommended an early start to youth hurling this year, with the U16 league commencing in March. This seemed to work well and there was less conflict with Táin League fixtures, with the U14 competitions following the conclusion of U14 football,” he said.

“Less games were conceded this year and I thank Pat McAtee for all the hard work to make sure hurling fixtures are scheduled and fulfilled.”

And he said that the Garvaghey centre was the perfect setting for a number of under-age hurling finals.

“Yet again, Garvaghey has proved an ideal venue for a large number of these finals and I thank Gregory, Paddy, Anne Marie and Roisin for their cooperation and help in facilitating these games.

"It was great to see the joy that a first title brought to Dúiche Néill at U14 level or what the Féile title meant to Tulach Óg, two of the smallest clubs in the county.

“At Senior level I congratulate Éire Óg and Omagh on their championship success. However, moving forward our Senior Hurling league needs to be reviewed, with a number of fixtures conceded.

“One possible solution could be an earlier start in the year, but this is something we will have to address in consultation with the HDC in the new year.”

And county secretary Michael Kerr reflected on a difficult year for the Tyrone senior hurling team, which played at its highest ever level in 2025.

“Our Senior Hurlers found the going tough in Division 2 of the National League, returning to Division 3 for next season. Similarly, after three years of solid performances in the Christy Ring Cup, we will return to the Nickey Rackard Cup for 2026.”

But he hailed the achievements of the U20 team, which reached the All-Ireland B final, narrowly losing out to a strong Down team.

“For long stages of the Final against An Dún, our U20 Hurlers looked to have done enough to win the All-Ireland B Championship, but fell agonisingly short in the final few minutes.

“Still, this was a notable achievement for a talented group of players.

“With 10 minutes remaining, the Red Hands grabbed their fourth goal to extend their lead to six points and they seemed set for victory. This spurred the Mournemen to life and they chipped away at the lead, scoring the final four points of an absorbing contest, to win by two.”

He added: “A little over two years ago, Tyrone travelled to Dr Hyde Park for a B championship game against Roscommon, falling to a chastening defeat.

“The fact that a number of those players lined out in 2025 for the county, narrowly missing out on an All-Ireland title, is testament to their hard work, resilience and character.

“Their efforts are greatly appreciated, as are those of the management team, led by Colm Morgan and supported by Patrick O’Farrell, Cathal Donnelly and Oran Colton.”

And coaching officer, Roger Keenan, said 2025 brought many positives for hurling within the county.

“There has been a growth in numbers participating in schools due to the increased number of staff delivering coaching. This in turn has helped show an increase in Go-Games participation throughout the year,” he said.

“Aidan Maguire and the Hurling Development Committee are to be commended for their drive, passion and commitment to the promotion of hurling within Tyrone.

“The positive working relationship between the two committees must be continued to help provide a solid foundation for the development of hurling in the county. We look forward to exploring new initiatives and ideas in the new year.”