2005 and '08 All-Ireland winning trainer with Tyrone Fergal McCann has passed away.

The St Macartan's clubman was Tyrone senior football team trainer for 10 years, a period when the Red Hands won their second and third All-Ireland titles. Working closely alongside manager Mickey Harte and his clubmate Tony Donnelly, McCann also helped the county to three Ulster SFC titles.

After leaving the Tyrone set-up at the end of the 2014 season, the married 47-year-old father-of-two went on to coach a number of clubs in the county, including Killyclogher and Carrickmore. He worked as a Games Promotion Officer from 2003 before becoming ill in the recent past.

Tyrone GAA confirmed the sad news in a statement this evening, county chairman Michael Kerr paid tribute to Fergal, saying "a giant of the GAA in Tyrone has gone to his eternal reward."

Tyrone GAA statement

Tyrone Gaels everywhere were saddened to hear the untimely death today  of former Tyrone Senior Football team Coach & Trainer Fergal McCann. Fergal was an integral part of Mickey Harte’s Tyrone Senior Management team and worked alongside Mickey and his fellow Augher team-mate Tony Donnelly from 2005 until 2014.

During that period Fergal helped Tyrone win 2 All Ireland football titles in 2005 and 2008 as well as 3 Ulster Senior Championship titles. Fergal played in goals for his beloved Augher and went on to manage and train Augher, as well as helping to manage various youth teams over many years.

Fergal was employed as a Games Promotion Officer, working within schools for Tyrone GAA from July 2003 until the start of his illness and was one of the longest-serving current Schools Coaches. Fergal loved the GAA and he went on to manage and coach several Club sides both within Tyrone and outside the County.

Coiste Chontae Thír Eoghain, wish to extend its sincere sympathy to Fergal’s wife Roisin (nee Mc Anenly), daughters, Aine and Aoife, his sister Lisa and his mother Maura; he was pre-deceased by his Father Frank (RIP)

Tyrone County Chairperson Michael Kerr, said this evening that,” a giant of the GAA in Tyrone has gone to his eternal reward. For one so young to have achieved so much is testament to a great Gael.  Fergal was a true gentleman in life even in the white hot heat of championship battles. A very private person, the manner in which he bore his illness over the last twelve months marks the magnitude of the man.  His legacy is not alone the two All-Ireland winning teams but the influence he had on all those who had the privilege to be coached and managed by him, in clubs and schools. While our loss is massive, it is insignificant compared to that of his family and close friends.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís

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