Art McRory was still actively involved in Tyrone football even in his later years, as the current co-manager of Tyrone, Feargal Logan, recounts receiving an email from him outlining points to consider for the game in the year 2024. This happened merely four days before Art McRory passed away unexpectedly at the age of 82, depicting his dedication to the sport.
Art McRory was a dynamic personality in the realm of sport, specifically football. His influence transcended his home county of Tyrone and spread to the entire Ulster province. His tenure as the senior manager of the county, mostly alongside ex-footballer Eugene McKenna, spanned fourteen years within two decades leading to 2000. His roles were undertaken during three separate times.
Art McRory may have come across as a somewhat intimidating figure due to his habit of intense gazing through his glasses. However, appearances were deceptive as he was a cordial individual who held witty conversations and possessed a variety of cultural and sporting interests. He was impacted by the historic win of Tyrone’s first Ulster side in 1956, led by Jody O’Neill, a Coalisland native who passed away recently. His guidance and influence can be felt in subsequent generations, including the Down teams who claimed the Sam Maguire cup for the first time.
Art McRory’s intercounty teams made a lasting impact. He engaged with the juniors in 1968, despite being a senior. Overcoming personal injury, he played and helped manager O’Neill to train, leading to Tyrone’s sole All-Ireland victory in that category. In 1973, he worked with the minors to win their first All-Ireland in 25 years. His high-profile senior management led Tyrone to two senior finals, first creating a stir against Kerry in 1986 and secondly being narrowly defeated by Dublin in 1995. The following year, a majority of that team competed in the finals, resulting in Tyrone winning their first All-Ireland under the stewardship of Mickey Harte.
In the concluding tour, he alongside McKenna secured the county’s debut league championship in 2002. Following it by a year, 11 players from this squad participated in the ultimate match, leading to Tyrone’s premier All-Ireland under the guidance of Mickey Harte. During the trio of stewardship terms that traversed 23 seasons, the teams he managed bagged 14 of the county’s opening 15 All Stars – a compelling testament of his influence. Dominic McCaughey, the recently retired and long-time county secretary in Tyrone, attributes Art McRory with assembling the raw materials that formed these teams.
“He was instrumental in banding together a team from the vocational institutions,” he elaborates, “including the likes of Mick Brewster, John McCusker in Dromore and Donal Donnelly in Omagh. His networking abilities were far and wide, he foresaw the talent at a junior level, proving a great advantage in subsequent years.
Many perceived him as stern and challenging to collaborate with, however, that idea is far from reality. Upon acquaintance, you would discover an individual with an extraordinary sense of humour, an intelligent and engaging man. I greatly appreciate him and his contributions to Tyrone”, he conveys.
Peter Canavan, the first captain to lead the county to an All-Ireland triumph, kick-started his tenure under McRory in the Railway Cup. McRory and his cousin, Brian McEniff from Donegal, were a formidable partnership managing Ulster when the province was the dominant force in the competitiveness of the sport, securing the pioneer five titles of the 1990s.
“I became a part of the Tyrone set-up in 1989 where a large fraction of those players were already in place — the likes of Eugene McKenna, Damien O’Hagan and John Lynch, Plunkett Donaghy, Noel McGinn were all present”, explains Canavan.
Art first left his mark on me in the 1980s”, Canavan recollects. “I counted myself amongst the spectators on Hill 16 in 1986 when we reached the All-Ireland final. This team had a profound influence on many budding footballers in Tyrone. It was Art who nurtured their development and transition into a senior team that came quite close to clinching the All-Ireland.”
In 1989, I joined the Tyrone team, where many players, such as Eugene McKenna, Damien O’Hagan and John Lynch, Plunkett Donaghy, and Noel McGinn, were already serving. I often heard them speak glowingly of Art, regarding his impressive presence and the respect he elicited from others.
They also shared countless anecdotes about Art, testament to his popularity. My opportunity to play under his guidance came in 1993 when he returned for his second term. As someone who looked up to him when I was young, it was a great privilege to play under his management and comprehend firsthand what John Lynch and Plunkett Donaghy used to share about him.
Art McRory was a charming figure and deeply respected by his team. His dedication to his players was evident, and there weren’t many who spoke ill of him.
Apart from football, Art was also keen on other sports. His primary interest was in basketball, but he was also a founding member of the Northern Ireland Volleyball Association in 1970, a position he had to give up due to his county commitments.
I remember him once returning from a trip to the United States with basketball shoes with high heels that American basketballers wore in the pre-season to enhance their vertical jump. He brought these shoes for the Tyrone team, fully aware of the skills that could be transferred from basketball to football. Art was always conscious of such interchangeability between sports.
Art McRory had a deep affinity for the sport of greyhound racing, as recounted by Logan. His teams were always taken on a jaunt to Shelbourne Park in Dublin whenever they were there for a match. It was during such outings that Logan could see McRory’s genuine joy. Dedicated to the greyhounds, he would rise at the crack of dawn to walk them. Logan recalled one particular night in Dublin, where despite losing money on the races, McRory was unperturbed, claiming he never gambled.
Logan was surprised given it was McRory who had integrated the team outings to the race. However, aspects of his love for the sport trickled into his football coaching as Canavan illuminates. McRory was often teased by his team for his passion for greyhound races. His interest not only lay in the races but also in the care of the dogs – he would often apply certain ointments and treatments on older greyhounds to enhance their performance. To their surprise, he attempted these same treatments on his footballers, including Plunkett Donaghy and John Lynch.
Canavan further explains how McRory used his knack for communication to impart crucial lessons onto his players. His ability to discern the opposing team’s strengths and effectively counter them was lauded. He was known for his intriguing team meetings, his motivational speeches often left the room in utter silence. His vivacious personality allowed him to blend humour into his serious speeches. He could cleverly criticise players without offending them, often using sarcasm to highlight areas for improvement.
McRory dedicated his final years to his wife, Helen, who sadly suffered from dementia and passed away last year. Helen was not just an extraordinary lady but was also a school principal and a fluent Irish speaker. Despite his personal heartaches, Logan stayed close to McRory until his passing, having known him well since playing in the 1995 final.
In his final five years, he devoted himself to his spouse Helen – an impressive figure, a headmistress and Irish speaker, who fell victim to dementia and passed away in February of the previous year. Unfortunately, he had just begun getting out again, attending his youngest grandchildren’s sports events. Notably, he attended an under-16 match in Ardboe on the evening he passed away – it’s unfortunate that he couldn’t have enjoyed a few more years.
A new accolade, the Art McRory Shield, has been introduced for primary schools in the past year. There are continuous talks, Peter Canavan mentions, about how to continue commemorating his past guide’s legacy.
In his view, he spent seven decades championing the cause of Tyrone football in several ways, transforming the county from an insignificant player to a county competing at the All-Ireland level. At present, there are likely a few competitions named in his honour, but there are plans for more. A lot of people are still coming to terms with the loss a year later.
Logan surmises the accomplishments and the heritage he left behind. He forged a path for Tyrone that others were entrusted to upkeep post his tenure.