TYRONE GAA has been left reeling at the sudden death of Art McRory, the man who led the County to its first All-Ireland Senior Final in 1986.

‘Big Art’, as he was affectionately known, passed away at his Donaghmore Road home in Dungannon overnight, aged 82.

Mr McRory more than anyone else spearheaded Tyrone’s rise from the depths of inter-county struggle to the pinnacle of Croke Park.

His involvement stretches away back to 1958 when he debuted on the county minor team. In the sixties he represented the seniors and won an All-Ireland Junior medal in 1968. But it’s as a manager that he really made an impact. In total he served 13 years as senior manager over three decades.

The highlight was that 1986 Final against all-conquering Kerry, when Tyrone pushed the mighty Kingdom all the way before succombing in the closing stages.

After a period away he returned, alongide his ’86 captain Eugene McKenna, to steer his beloved County to another All-Ireland Senior Final in 1995 when they lost narrowly to Dublin.

Mr McRory’s funeral arrangements will be released in due course.