The year 2001 stands as one of the defining chapters in Tyrone GAA history. It was a season in which the Red Hand County completed a remarkable clean sweep of Ulster titles at Minor, Under‑21 and Senior level—only the second time any Ulster county had achieved the feat, and the first since Tyrone themselves set the standard in 1973. To this day, no other county in the province has matched that illustrious treble.
What makes the achievement even more extraordinary is the backdrop against which it unfolded. The 2000/01 National Football League was the final season of the old pre‑ and post‑Christmas format, but after just two fixtures in the new year—and five overall—Tyrone’s campaign was abruptly halted by the foot‑and‑mouth outbreak. A further case within the county forced their exclusion from the remainder of the league, leaving Art McRory and Eugene McKenna’s side facing a three‑month competitive void before entering the Ulster Championship against reigning champions and fierce rivals Armagh. The Under‑21 Championship was similarly disrupted, with some calling for it to proceed without Tyrone.
Yet adversity often sharpens resolve. When Tyrone finally took the field in Clones, four championship debutants lined out, backed by a wave of young talent fresh from success at Minor, Under‑21 and Hogan Cup level. Within ten seconds, one of those newcomers—Owen Mulligan—had rattled the net, setting the tone for a 1‑14 to 1‑9 victory. Armagh briefly led early in the second half, but Tyrone’s late surge of five unanswered points sealed a statement win.
Derry awaited in the semi‑final, and again Tyrone showed their cutting edge. Ger Cavlan’s first‑half goal edged them ahead at the break, before a three‑minute blitz midway through the second half produced goals from Brian Dooher and Stephen O’Neill. A late Finbarr McConnell save preserved a 3‑7 to 0‑14 win and a place in the Ulster final.
Cavan provided the opposition in Tyrone’s 15th provincial decider—their fifth meeting in an Ulster final, with two wins apiece up to that point. A tense contest saw captain Sean Teague forced off injured, and the sides traded first‑half goals through Cormac McAnallen and Jason Reilly. Trailing 1‑8 to 1‑5 at the interval, Tyrone produced strong spells at both ends of the second half to claim their ninth Ulster title on a 1‑13 to 1‑11 scoreline.
The newly introduced All‑Ireland qualifiers paired Tyrone with Derry once more, but this time the goals dried up. Reduced to 14 men after Peter Canavan’s first‑half dismissal, Tyrone fell 1‑9 to 0‑7, ending their pursuit of Sam Maguire.
But the county’s young stars ensured the year would be remembered for further triumph. Mickey Harte’s Under‑21s captured Ulster and All‑Ireland honours with wins over Fermanagh and Mayo respectively, while the Minors, under Liam Donnelly and Martin Coyle, matched the feat by defeating Monaghan and Dublin.
Remarkably, all four of Tyrone’s championship matches that year were played at St Tiernach’s Park, and due to the league disruption, it remains the fewest games contested by a Tyrone senior side since 1965. Yet despite the shortened campaign, the impact of 2001 endures—a season of resilience, renewal and remarkable success, and a fitting tribute to the jubilee team we honour today.
By Rory Cox Sun 17th May
