Michael McShane stepped down as Tyrone senior hurling manager on Saturday night after three successful seasons.
The Ballycastle native, who is also the Slaughtneil senior hurling manager, was appointed in 2021 with the Red Hands reaching the final of the Nicky Rackard Cup only to be denied by Mayo in the decider.
Tyrone went one better last season when they won the Rackard Cup for the second time with a brilliant 1-27 to 0-19 win over Roscommon in Croke Park.
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Tragedy struck the Tyrone team and the wider GAA community just one month later when their captain Damian Casey died in Spain, aged 28.
Regarded as the greatest hurler the county had ever produced, the Eoghan Ruadh clubman landed 0-14 in the win over Roscommon and helped Tyrone clinch the Division 3A title as well.
His untimely death left many wondering just how Tyrone would cope without their talisman, but McShane’s side were not about to let their progress slip and they honoured Damian Casey’s legacy in the best possible manner this term.
Tyrone secured their status in Division 2B earlier in the season thanks largely to an emotional opening round win over London in Damian Casey’s home town of Dungannon.
In the Championship, they made their first appearance in the Christy Ring Cup and began with a thrilling draw in Omagh against a strongly-fancied Derry side.
Their round two win over Mayo and subsequent results elsewhere ensured that the Red Hands retained their status in the Christy Ring for 2024 with Mayo dropping down to the Nicky Rackard.
Tyrone ended their season with a 4-17 to 2-28 loss to London in Carrickmore on Saturday with McShane calling time on his tenure after the game.
In a statement, the Tyrone county board said: “Coiste Chontae Thír Eoghain wish to announce that Michael McShane has informed us of his decision to step down as manager of our Senior Hurling team.
“Appointed at the beginning of the 2021 season, Michael has brought Tyrone hurling to new heights – two Nickey Rackard Cup Final appearances, with that famous victory over Roscommon in Croke Park last year, as well as a Division 3A National Hurling League title.
“Today he steps down having helped secure our place in Division 2B and the Christy Ring Cup for next year. He was with us throughout the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”
Tyrone GAA chairman Martin Sludden added: “Tyrone GAA wish to place on record our most sincere thanks to Michael, Stephen McGarry, Noel Brick, Tom Hennessy and the entire coaching and backroom team for all their hard work and dedication over the past three years.”
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