Trillick stalwart Gormley back as assistant manager of home club

FORMER Tyrone star and Trillick stalwart, Jody Gormley, is to return to his native club in 2022 in a managerial role.

The Reds have been one of the key forces on the domestic scene in the Red Hand county over the past decade. County champions in 2015 and 2019, they reached the final in 2020 before losing out on penalties to Dungannon and were narrowly defeated by rivals, Dromore in last year’s semi-final.

Jody Gormley, who was a member of the Tyrone team which won Ulster titles in 1995 and 1996, will join the managerial team at the club as assistant to the current incumbents, Nigel Seaney and Malachy McElholm

It will be the first time ever that he has helped out with a Trillick senior side, having represented the club with distinction over many years in the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

He comes to the role with extensive coaching experience at both club and schools level. Most notably, he guided Abbey CBS in Newry to MacRory Cup and Hogan Cup success. He managed his current club, Bredagh, to a Down Intermediate title and also has experience of managing Antrim senior footballers, and coaching with Down seniors and Loughinisland.

All in the St Macartan’s will be hoping that his involvement can bring them that extra edge needed to clinch a third county title in recent years. They will look to those defeats to Dungannon in 2020 and Dromore last year as missed opportunities.

The appointment of Jody Gormley as assistant manager at his native club, comes as their rivals and county champions, Dromore, prepare to make a decision on their new management team for 2022.

The St Dympna’s won a fourth O’Neill Cup title last November under the guidance of Colm McCullagh. He subsequently stepped aside, leaving a vacancy just weeks after their glorious triumph.

Ryan McMenamin and Paul McIvor are currently the frontrunners to succeed Colm McCullagh in the post.

However, a final decision is not expected to be taken for another few weeks.

It is understood that a key factor is the involvement of ‘Ricey’ in his role as a selector with Cavan. However, with the Tyrone leagues not expected to start until May at the earliest, and the Ulster and All-Ireland Championships due to end by July at the latest, the cross-over time may allow him and indeed others throughout the country to take on a dual club and inter-county role.