Former Donegal manager Brian McEniff admits he is 'broken-hearted' over the sudden passing of Tyrone's legendary manager Art McRory. McRory passed away at the age of 82 this week. A number of tributes have already been paid to the late Tyrone boss.
Art McRory is best known for his efforts in guiding Tyrone to two All-Ireland Finals, in 1986 and 1995. They lost both finals to Kerry and Dublin.
Notably, this iconic head coach orchestrated an unprecedented achievement of securing five Ulster Senior Football Championship titles for his county, specifically in the years 1984, 1986, 1995, 1996, and 2001. He also had a hand in the county's All-Ireland minor win in 1973.
McEniff admitted that he was devastated over the passing of his good friend this week.
"I am broken-hearted - you can't be involved with such a quality man like that for so long and not feel it. I have lost a very good and loyal friend. Long after our days with Ulster were over, we always phoned each other," said the 1992 All-Ireland winning manager.
Sad news. Played under his management for Ulster in the Railway Cup along with Brian McEniff. Great character. RIP Art🙏
— miceal magill (@MagillMiceal) August 9, 2023
"Just two weeks ago he came to Bundoran with his grandchildren. He wanted to take them to Waterworld and the amusement park. We walked around the seafront and, as the Americans would say, we shot the breeze. It was mostly football, of course.
Hailing from Dungannon, McRory is survived by his children: Colm, Ciaran, and Eva. His wife, Helen, passed away earlier this year. McEniff also explained that the former Red Hand boss was a 'great man and a great character'.
"He talked a lot about his wife, Helen, and her passing earlier this year. He never really got over it. They were very close. He was a great man and a great character," he added.
"When selecting teams, Arthur always said it as it was. If I put forward a Donegal player that he didn't think should be on the team, he wasn't behind the ditch telling me.
"His days with Tyrone were great. He brought them from obscurity really to become one of the best teams in the country. Himself and Eugene (McKenna) won a Division One league title with Tyrone in 2002. It was sad they never won the All-Ireland, but Art put the Tyrone football team on a pinnacle that they never came off."
