Malachy O’Rourke is ready to re-ignite the fire that has smouldered since Tyrone set the GAA world alight with a fourth All-Ireland title in 2021.
As he prepares for a high-profile management debut in Saturday’s Allianz League opener against Derry, he accepts that he must find a way to bring the best out of a group of talented footballers who have not done themselves justice over the past three seasons of under-achievement.
The Oak Leafers travel to Omagh with their own demons to confront, making for an intriguing clash of two sides facing similar challenges.
“We know that we’ve an awful lot of work ahead of us, because, I suppose, over the last couple of years the boys have been disappointed with the way the year has finished up,” said the new Tyrone boss.
“So we know that there’s a lot of work in front of us to try and get back up to the level that we’d like to be at.”
O’Rourke’s track record makes him a prize catch for the Red Hands, who have landed one of the best in the business.
The former Monaghan and Fermanagh manager, who is also a winner at club level with 2024 All-Ireland champions Glen, will draw heavily on the acumen of a strong backroom team.
He has brought in three All-Ireland medalists from the noughties as coaches – Colm McCullagh, Chris Lawn and John Devine – to work alongside long-standing associates Leo McBride and Ryan Porter.
“There’s an awful lot of expertise, there’s an awful lot of really good fellas there, you know, and we’re really enjoying working together,” said O’Rourke.
“With all the other boys in the backroom, there’s a really good team there, and an awful lot of people working really hard to try and give the players the best possible chance to reach their potential.
“I suppose that’s what it’s all about, that’s what we’re all there for, it’s just to try and get the boys to go out and perform at the highest level possible.
“So that’s what we’re concentrating our efforts on, and the players are showing a great level of commitment, they’re all very keen to do well and it’s just a matter of everybody working together.
“As I said from day one, if you want to have any success, everybody has to be pulling in the same direction, every single person in the county really has to be doing that.
“So, that’s what we’re trying to do, and if everybody keeps working together and everybody shows the right attitude, well then, you know, that’s our hope that we can move forward together.”
Derry will defend the Division One title they won under Mickey Harte last March, but their season imploded in spectacular fashion with a collapse in the championship.
Paddy Tally has taken on the job of repairing damaged confidence and re-shaping a project that had been right on track until the wheels came off.
And O’Rourke’s in-depth knowledge of Derry football will ensure that he treats this weekend’s opponents with respect and a measure of fear.
“They’ve a lot of quality players and they’ll be very keen to get the season off to a good start,” cautioned the new former Glen manager.
“So, we know it’s going to be a very tough first assignment but all the games in Division One are going to be tough, so we’ll just have to get used to it.
“They had a very strong National League and everything was going well. I suppose the Donegal game then knocked them back a wee bit and probably they never really recovered after that.
“So there’s no doubt they were very much on an upward curve there for a long time.
“I would obviously know the Glen players well, but being involved in Derry club football for the last four years, I would know a lot of the other players.
“And I do know they’ve a lot of quality players and a lot of lads who have tasted a lot of success over the last number of years, and fellas who have also tasted a lot of success at under-age. So they have a very strong panel.
“We’re expecting a very tough battle. It’s one that we’re looking forward to.”
