Tyrone U20 Captain Joins Senior Squad Amid Conor McKenna’s AFL Future Decision
Tyrone U20 captain Joey Clarke has officially been called up to the senior squad for the upcoming 2026 season. This announcement comes after a successful campaign where Clarke led his team to victory over Louth in the All-Ireland U20 final.
Recent Additions to the Tyrone Senior Squad
Clarke, a representative of the Donaghmore club, joins a wave of recent U20 All-Ireland champions stepping up to the senior team. Coach Malachy O’Rourke has also promoted Conor O’Neill from the same club and Ruairi McHugh from Coalisland, both contributing to the success of the U20 team.
Successive Captains Progressing to Senior Level
Clarke becomes the third consecutive U20 captain to join the senior ranks, following in the footsteps of Niall Devlin (2022) and Michael Rafferty (2024). Last season, Eoin McElholm and Shea O’Hare also made the transition, marking a trend of U20 leaders elevating to senior competition.
Expressing his pride, Clarke commented, “It’s an honour to captain those lads. They were both wishing me luck before the game, just passing the torch.” He acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized the professionalism within the squad, stating, “The commitment is there, and everyone’s aim is to make that step up to seniors.”
Conor McKenna’s Future with Tyrone
Alongside these transitions, the Tyrone senior squad may see the return of Conor McKenna. The Eglish native is currently considering a one-year extension with Brisbane, after winning an All-Ireland SFC title with Tyrone in 2021.
- McKenna resumed his AFL career with the Lions in 2023.
- He celebrated a Premiership title in 2024, becoming one of only two Irishmen to do so.
- This season, he participated in five matches as the Lions secured their AFL championship.
Recently, McKenna contributed to Eglish’s victory against Moy in the semi-final of the Tyrone Intermediate Championship, where he scored a point after being introduced in the second half. Eglish is set to compete against Clonoe in the championship final next Sunday in Dungannon.
This strengthening of the Tyrone squad marks an exciting time for football in the region, as young talent emerges alongside experienced players, aiming for continued success on the field.
