RESPECT for the late Art McRory extended far beyond his native Tyrone. Former Armagh captain Jimmy Smyth points out the widespread influence the Dungannon man had on so many people, particularly young players:
“Art McRory was across everything. Art McRory’s fingerprints are over everything that is good in underage and schools football in Ulster.
“I would put him up there with Jim McKeever – he was that sort of a man and had that sort of impact. He came under McKeever [at St Joseph’s teacher training college, Belfast] in ’58.
“He was actually on McKeever’s first team to win a trophy, and where was he? In goals.”
Having qualified as a teacher, Art returned to his hometown, Smyth noting: “He joined that cohort of teachers who set up the Ulster Secondary Schools, instrumental in that along with the likes of Harry Hoy, Dinny McKeever, Des Farrelly, Sean Higgins, John McCusker, Tony McCaffrey. He was fundamental in that.
Read more:
- The footballing life and times of Art McRory
- Art McRory: a giant of Tyrone GAA, a man of wit and wisdom
- "Art was always pushing boundaries.” Eugene McKenna pays tribute to Tyrone visionary and former managerial colleague"
“Then the Vocational Schools were on the go and Jack Mahon approached the Ulster Secondary Schools to join with the Vocational Schools – Art McRory was the man who proposed that they join, in 1965.
“Fifty years later, when the Ulster Vocational Schools and the Ulster Colleges came together, it was Art McRory who proposed that merger. He was the first Honorary President of Ulster Schools.”
Smyth admired McRory’s plain-speaking: “If you wanted advice, or anything to do with anything, Art McRory gave you his advice, untainted by bias – and it was straight down the line. He was a wonderful character.”
However, he was also happy to listen, Smyth notes: “Art involved coaching talent from outside the county, including Barney McAleenan from Down and Peter McGinnity of Fermanagh.
“Art didn’t mind who he got advice off – anything for the common good…
“What he did for Tyrone is just inestimable. The Tyrone Vocationals county team won a lot, and he was over that along with Tom McKeagney… That fed immediately into the Tyrone Minors, and from there into the Seniors.
“Anything that was good about Tyrone football, Art McRory was involved in it.”
