Conor McKenna hasn’t ruled out playing for Tyrone again one day.
The Eglish man made history recently when he joined Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly as only the second player to win both the Sam Maguire and AFL Premiership after the Brisbane Lion’ victory over the Sydney Swans in the final.
It bridged a 21-year gap for the Lions and helped make up for the narrow loss in the decider 12 months ago and 28-year-old McKenna hopes that history won’t stop there.
“It was great to win it after the disappointment of last season,” he said.
“We didn’t play as well at times as we did last year but winning it was all the matters and now that I have become only the second player to do it hopefully I can win another one as well as another All-Ireland and be the only person to do that.”
That would certainly be music to the ears of Tyrone supporters as well as their new manager Malachy O’Rourke. McKenna of course played a key role in Tyrone’s All Ireland success in 2021 hitting the net twice in an extra time semi final win over Kerry before setting up the crucial goal in the decider for Darren McCurry after a brilliant run.
“I don’t know Malachy personally as I have never met him but he is obviously a good manager and sometimes a change never hurts,” said Conor.
“The last time that happened (change of management) it worked wonders and it just gives players a freshness and a new mindset and a new game plan so it could definitely work well for Tyrone.
“I will still want to do that again (play GAA) at some stage whether that’s in one year, two years or three years time.
“I will take it one year at a time. I’m contracted out there next year again and maybe stay another year or so after that and whatever happens if I come home eventually I will give it another go with Eglish anyway.
“I would love to wear the Red Hand jersey again whether that happens or not but I would certainly love to.”
The season didn’t get off to the best of starts for the Lions but they knuckled down and refocused to get on a roll and they never looked back.
“We knew that we had a good team and the results in the first four or five weeks just didn’t go our way,” he admitted.
“We just began to focus game by game and not worry where we would be come the end of the season and that worked well for us as we went on to win something like twelve in a row to get ourselves into contention and as they say the rest is history.
“My mum and dad flew out for the Final and my girlfriend and cousin were there as well and that meant a lot for them all to be there.”
On Thursday night McKenna was the guest of honour at his home club as he handed out awards at a youth presentation night and he was delighted to be able to do that and he states that he was also pleased that neighbours Armagh won the All-Ireland.
“It’s important surely as I wouldn’t be were I am today if it wasn’t for Eglish and Tyrone and it’s a small thing to be able to give something back to the community by handing out a few presentations and get photos taken especially when I’m at home for the next three weeks,” he said.
“It was great to see Armagh win the All-Ireland as I know a lot of them lads like Joe McElroy and Ross McQuillan and I was delighted for them that they won it.”
