Tyrone’s championship journey begins tomorrow at O’Neills Healy Park, as Gerry Donnelly’s side take on Fermanagh in the opening round of the 2025 Ulster Minor Football Championship. Throw-in is scheduled for 12.00pm in what promises to be an intriguing start to the Red Hands’ provincial campaign.
After an impressive run through the league that saw Tyrone lift the Jim McGuigan Cup, confidence is high in the camp but Donnelly is under no illusions about the step-up in intensity that the Championship brings.
“Through the four league games we had 30+ players that were able to play competitively for Tyrone. That’s the main thing we like about the league,” he said. “It’s lovely to have the silverware at the end but it’s parked now and we’re onto the real business of the Championship.”
Tyrone’s league run showed plenty of positive signs. Wins over Derry, Antrim, Cavan and Donegal showcased the depth and quality in the squad, with plenty of players putting their hands up for Championship selection. But with the new format introducing a backdoor-knockout system, Donnelly is keen to ensure his players remain grounded ahead of the Fermanagh clash.
“It’s important to get off to a good start in the Championship. It’s not a round robin this time, it’s a backdoor knockout, so we’re taking nothing for granted going into the Fermanagh game.”
The manager also highlighted the tight margins expected throughout the campaign, with every Ulster county setting their sights on the same prize.
“Every team wants to be Ulster Champions and we’re no different to the other eight counties. We want to go and put our best foot forward but it’s going to be nip and tuck in all of the games.”
On the injury front, Tyrone are in a healthy position heading into the weekend, with no knocks to report.
“We’re not carrying any knocks at the minute so it’s a matter of keeping them that way. The games come very quick now so we’re hoping to manage the players’ workloads alongside the Club games each Sunday.”
With momentum on their side and a deep squad brimming with talent, Tyrone will hope to make home advantage count tomorrow as they take the first step on what they hope will be a long and successful campaign.
Tyrone Minor Football Squad 2025 –
Darren McAnespie (Achadh Lú), Cathal Farley (Bearach), Padraig Donaghy, Vincent Gormley (An Charraig Mhór), Eoin Long, Michael Lennon, Sean Óg Quinn (An Chorr Chríochach), Jack Gartland (An Droim Mór), Logan O’Connor (Éadan na nTorc), Brian Óg McGuckin, James Daly, Matthew C Daly, Matthew F Daly, Ronan Donnelly (An Eaglais), Aodhan Quinn, Elliott Kerr, Michael Mullin (Aireagal Chiaráin), Diarmuid Martin, Owen Griffiths, Padraig Goodman, Peter Colton (Fionntamhnach), Harley Patton, Mark Kennedy (Gleann Eallaigh), James Mulgrew (Cill Dreasa), Charlie Meenan, Thomas Meenan (Coill an Chlochair), Ciaran McCrystal, Odhran Curran, Pearse McDonald (Loch Mhic Ruairí), Joel Kerr, Odhran Carroll (An Charraig), Michael Hughes, Rian Biggs (An Chraobh), Aodhan Corry, Peter Garrity (Trí Leac).
2025 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Championship Structure –
Saturday 19th April – Round 1
* Tyrone v Fermanagh at O’Neill’s Healy Park
* Donegal V Monaghan at O’Donnell Park Letterkenny
* Armagh V Antrim at Box-It Athletic Grounds
* Cavan v Derry at Kingspan Breffni
Saturday 26th April – Qualifiers Round 1
Losers of Prelim Round and the Round 1 games. (*Should the Preliminary Round winner lose in Round 1, they will be excluded from this Round).
* R1 loser/Prelim loser* V R1 loser/Prelim loser*
(loser eliminated – Enters National Tier 3)
If a team drawn were at home in Prelim/Round 1 they will be away in Qualifier Round 1 and vice versa. If both teams drawn in this round were both at home or both away in previous games, the first team drawn out would have home advantage.
Saturday 3rd May – Round 2
(Open Draw – 4 Winners of Round 1)
* R1 Winner V R1 Winner
* R1 Winner v R1 Winner
Qualifiers Round 2
(Remaining three losers not drawn in Qualifiers R1, plus Qualifier R1 winners)
* QR1 loser v QR1 loser
* QR1 loser v QR1 loser
(losers eliminated– Enter National Tier 2 or 3)
From the two teams that are eliminated at Qualifiers Rd 2 stage, if one team has won a game in the MFC they will go to National Tier 2.
Otherwise, the Tier 2 team will be determined in line with Ordering as per Code 13 & 11.1 T.O. 2023.
Saturday 10th May – Quarter Finals
* R2 loser V QR2 winner
* R2 loser V QR2 winner
(losers eliminated– Enter National Tier 2)
Saturday 17th May – Semi Finals
* R2 winner V QF winner
* R2 winner V QF winner
(losers eliminated– Enter National Tier 2)
Sunday 25th May – Final
* SF winner V SF winner
All-Ireland Quarter Finals on 8th June
By Rory Cox Fri 18th Apr
