“They’ve simply made wonderful history for us, time and again, in place after place, and in so many ways.”
“Always with style, class, dignity and honour.”
“And, very remarkably in the world we’re now in, always as total volunteers to the Tyrone GAA cause.”
That’s how Tyrone County GAA Chair Martin Sludden responded to the announcement that Tyrone’s joint Senior Football Managers, Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan, are stepping down from their shared role.
On the field, on the side-line, and on out through the rest of life, both men have been serial achievers for Tyrone.
As a player Brian has done it all. That includes Tyrone Junior and Intermediate ‘doubles’ with Clann na Gael. Ulster Minor and Senior titles with Tyrone. All-Ireland Senior and NFL titles with Tyrone. Railway Cups with Ulster. A Sigerson Cup with UCD. Multiple All-Stars. And on top of it all, unique leadership and serial winning as Tyrone Captain.
Feargal’s playing career is also stellar. It includes, as player/manager, Tyrone and Ulster Junior titles and an All-Ireland Final with Stewartstown Harps. Ulster Senior titles and an All-Ireland Final with Tyrone. A Sigerson Cup, as Captain, with Queen’s. An All-Star nomination. Again, leadership and achievement overarching everything.
Their seamless move into successful management is the more recent standout for both men. There, in two different decades, they jointly won Ulster and All-Ireland titles at both Under 21 and Senior levels for Tyrone, adding so powerfully to the Tyrone GAA story. Nobody else in Ulster outside Tyrone, and very few anywhere else, has ever achieved that very special ‘double double’.
And all the while beyond football they have made their ways diligently to the peaks of their chosen professions, in veterinary and the law.
Tyrone’s County Secretary Michael Kerr is also fulsome in his gratitude.
“Brian’s and Feargal’s contributions to Tyrone GAA are just monumental,” he explained.
“Too often we focus on ‘What’ people achieve. But in the broader picture the ‘How’ and the ‘Why’ are probably more important.”
“Brian and Feargal have delivered the supreme prizes for Tyrone.”
“But they’ve always done that in the right way. And never more so than in the COVID throes, when they unapologetically prioritised the well-being of our players and then dealt so well with the serious impacts of the virus on our panel.”
County Chair Martin Sludden is aware that Tyrone now face into new challenges.
“That’s the nature of life,” he maintains.
“But Brian and Feargal, along with their backrooms, have left us in a very good position.”
“And we’ve also been blessed with the constant influences and support of Mary, Eileen, and the Dooher and Logan families throughout everything.”
“They too have played their very important parts. Family is central to what we’re about. That too can’t be forgotten.”
“Brian and Feargal will remain very important parts of the Tyrone GAA fabric. Men like that don’t go away.”
“They’ll continue to inspire and achieve right across our County and far beyond.”
Tyrone GAA will now move to appoint new Senior Football Team management.
Those details will be released shortly. But for now as a County we hold our focus on thanking Brian and Feargal for, and gratefully celebrating, the gift they’ve been to us.
By Rory Cox Mon 26th Aug
