MALACHY O’Rourke was formally appointed as manager of the Tyrone Senior Intercounty team following a meeting of the County Committee this evening in Garvaghey.

O’Rourke appointment was viewed as a matter of formality after it emerged in the middle of last week that he was the only candidate nominated for the role.

But processes need to be followed and he still had to be given the seal of approval by club representatives, and this evening he was appointed on a three-year term, as has become customary in the Red Hand County.

Needless to say it’s a heavyweight appointment and there is evidently a great deal of goodwill towards the Fermanagh native, who has been living in Ballygawley since the nineties.

Following the resignation of the previous management team on August 26 after four years in charge, it soon emerged that Malachy O’Rourke was the frontrunner for the vacant position, and by the middle of last week, his appointment was already viewed as fait accompli.

O’Rourke has accrued a vast amount of managerial experience across various clubs and counties over the last quarter of a century, and his already lofty reputation has soared ever higher since assuming the reins at Derry club Glen, whom he has led to three Senior Championship titles and two Ulster Championships culminating in a quite remarkable All-Ireland SFC final victory over St Brigid’s at the turn of the year.

O’Rourke has been a man in high demand and his appointment as Tyrone manager comes as a source of considerable excitement for supporters, who will hope for a restoration of fortunes after the premature championship exits of recent years in the wake of the 2021 All-Ireland triumph.