Tyrone lost joint-manager Feargal Logan and four players with a Covid issue hitting their camp during the week – but it didn’t stop them landing a 16th Ulster title at Croke Park last night.
The Red Hand men were without Rory Brennan, Frank Burns, Richard Donnelly and Tiernan McCann as they pipped Monaghan on a 0-16 to 0-15 scoreline.
It was Monaghan’s fourth knock out Croke Park defeat by Tyrone since 2013, and put the cap on a difficult few days for the Farney County.
Monaghan lost the Ulster under-20 final after extra-time the evening before, less than a fortnight after the tragic death of their skipper, Brendan Og Duffy in a road accident.
For Tyrone it was a first Ulster title since 2017, as they set up an All-Ireland semi-final date with Kerry in a fortnight.
Joint manager, Brian Dooher revealed that Logan and all the players affected will be back at training on Tuesday night.
Speaking about the Covid issues, Dooher said: “It’s well known we had a few men out with close contacts and one thing and another with Covid.
“It’s precautionary and we are taking no chances with it and taking advice from our medical team.
“It left us down a few players. That’s the environment we are in at the moment. You have a high level of Covid in the community and our people live in the community.
“They keep themselves to themselves as much as possible but there are risk factors out there.
“We will go back to look at it next week. Everybody is due back in on Tuesday.”
Double All-Ireland winning skipper, Dooher continued: “I would be very disappointed for Feargal and Feargal would be disappointed not to be here.
“I suppose that was the medical advice that had to be adhered to. But Feargal had his input.
“He was in our ears and had valuable input to contribute during the match. And we took that on board.
“Definitely disappointing not to have him and we will be glad to welcome him back on Tuesday night at training.
“As Feargal said at the start, Covid will have an impact and it will have an impact on every team this year.
“It impacted us this year. That’s why we have a big panel and a decent backroom, that’s what they are for.”
