O'Rourke expected to take over as Tyrone boss

O'Rourke has been in charge of Derry club Glen since late 2020

Malachy O'Rourke is edging closer to a return to inter-county management with Tyrone after nominations for the vacant post closed on Tuesday.

It is understood that O'Rourke, who was nominated by his club Errigal Ciaran, was the only name in contention after the window for nominations closed.

O'Rourke could be announced as Red Hands boss as early as next week with a Tyrone GAA county committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.

While O'Rourke's appointment is expected to be a formality, there is a potential issue around whether he would continue as Glen manager.

He has been in charge of the Derry club since late 2020 and has led them to three county titles, two Ulster Club triumphs and an All-Ireland success, the latter coming in January.

Maghera-based Glen have begun their championship campaign in Derry with the club season running until the All-Ireland final in January.

O'Rourke has been out of the inter-county scene since he stepped down as Monaghan boss in June 2019 having led the Farneymen to two Ulster SFC titles.

The Fermanagh native has lived in Ballygawley since the 1990s and won Tyrone titles with Errigal Ciaran as both a player and manager.

Prior to taking over at Monaghan in 2012, O'Rourke also led Fermanagh to the Ulster final in 2008, while he previously managed Tyholland, The Loup and Cavan Gaels.

Thanks to his success with Glen, who had never won a Derry title prior to his arrival, O'Rourke has also been linked with the Donegal and Derry jobs in recent years.

Tyrone have been searching for a new boss after joint-managers Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan stepped down last month.

Dooher and Logan led the Red Hands to Ulster and All-Ireland titles in 2021 but the three subsequent seasons failed to yield similar successes.