Tyrone U20 captain called up to senior squad as Conor McKenna ponders AFL future
Donaghmore clubman Joey Clarke joins a growing number of recent U20 All-Ireland winners on the Tyrone senior panel
Tyrone’s U20 All-Ireland winning captain Joey Clarke has been called up to the senior squad for the 2026 season.
Malachy O’Rourke added his Donaghmore clubmate Conor O’Neill to the senior ranks after the Red Hands defeated Louth to retain their U20 title while 2022 U20 winner Ruairi McHugh from Coalisland was aldo drafted in.
Clarke is the third successive All-Ireland U20 captain to be called up to the senior squad and joins his predecessors Niall Devlin (2022) and Michael Rafferty (2024) while Eoin McElholm and Shea O’Hare were also called up last season.
Speaking to Belfast Live following May’s facile win over Louth in the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Clarke reiterated his desire to play senior football for his county.
“It's an honour to captain them lads, following in even behind the likes of Niall Devlin and Michael Rafferty,” said Clarke.
“We’ve seen those lads make the jump to the senior squad. They were both wishing me luck before the game, just passing the torch. Fair play to them, they are big shoes to fill.
“When you see the quality in the team there, I think the level of professionalism is second to none, it's the best I've ever seen.
“The commitment is there and everyone’s aim is to make that step up to seniors.
"You’ve seen how the teams of the past have been successful and what they’ve done for Tyrone football and we just want to emulate that as well.”
Meanwhile, O’Rourke’s panel could be strengthened further by the addition of Conor McKenna for next season.
The Eglish native is currently mulling over a one-year extension with Brisbane.
McKenna, who won an All-Ireland SFC title with Tyrone in 2021, resumed his AFL career with the Lions in 2023 and won a Premiership title in 2024, becoming only the second Irishman after Tadgh Kennelly to achieve the feat.
However, he only featured five times for the Lions this season as they retained their AFL crown and he returned to tog out for Eglish as they defeated Moy in the semi-final of the Tyrone Intermediate Championship last weekend, scoring a point when introduced in the second half.
Eglish are set to face Clonoe in the decider next Sunday in Dungannon.