Former Tyrone manager Art McRory has peacefully passed away at the age of 82. 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. His also had a hand in the county's All-Ireland minor win in 1973.
Brian McEniff, a former triumphant manager with Donegal, shared heartfelt condolences and remembrances of McRory. Their partnership extended from 1983 to 2007, during which McRory was McEniff's assistant while amassing 13 Railway Cups.
McEniff expressed, "My heart aches – it's impossible not to feel deeply affected when you've spent so much time alongside a man of such exceptional quality. I've lost a cherished and steadfast friend. Long after our shared journey in Ulster had concluded, we continued to connect over phone calls."
Former Tyrone manager and local hero Art McRory has sadly passed away.
A true Gael who brought a lot of happy memories to the county 🙏 pic.twitter.com/faaIqFv2gZ— Lee Costello (@sitelee) August 9, 2023
"Just a fortnight ago, he visited Bundoran with his grandchildren. His desire was to take them to Waterworld and the amusement park. Amid the backdrop of the seafront, we engaged in leisurely conversation, what the Americans might term 'shooting the breeze'. Football, naturally, dominated our discourse."
McEniff continued, "He often spoke of his wife, Helen, and her passing earlier this year. He bore the loss heavily; their bond was profound. Art was a remarkable individual, exuding a captivating persona. In team selections, he never minced words. If I proposed a Donegal player whom he deemed unfit for the lineup, he did not shy away from expressing his opinion."
"His tenure with Tyrone was extraordinary. He propelled them from relative obscurity to a stature as one of the nation's premier teams. Alongside Eugene McKenna, he clinched a Division One league title for Tyrone in 2002. Though an All-Ireland title eluded them, Art elevated the Tyrone football team to unparalleled heights."
Hailing from Dungannon, McRory is survived by his children: Colm, Ciaran, and Eva. His wife Helen, passed away earlier this year.
