The death has taken place of former Monaghan, Tyrone and Armagh hurling manager Mattie Lennon.

The Derrynoose clubman was one of the most respected figures on the Ulster hurling scene. He managed both his native Armagh and Monaghan before spending six seasons at the Tyrone helm, winning a maiden Nickey Rackard Cup with the Red Hands in 2014. More recently, he was in charge of the Armagh camogie team.

While Lennon was best known in hurling circles, he also managed the Orchard County U21 footballers alongside Peter Rafferty and Colm Marley to All-Ireland glory in 2004.

Leading the tributes to him, his home club said in a social media post: “The members of Derrynoose GAC deeply regret the death of esteemed Gael Mattie Lennon.

“Mattie has been the heartbeat of our club for many years, nurturing young hurlers, footballers and Camogs from the grassroots right up to senior. He held many positions within the club, most recently a senior coach with the men’s footballers and hurlers.

“Mattie was one of the driving forces behind bringing hurling to our club, having played and won senior championship medals with his brothers for Middletown. He played football and hurling for many years for Derrynoose and also for Armagh and Ulster. Mattie was a member of the Armagh GAA Football Junior Ulster winning team in 1985 and a member of the Armagh GAA Hurling Junior All-Ireland winning team in 2000, he also worked closely with Ulster Colleges Hurling.

“Mattie was a respected coach, taking up a role with Armagh GAA U21 Footballers in 2004 who won the All-Ireland for the first and only time. Mattie coached Armagh GAA hurlers, Monaghan GAA Hurlers & Tyrone GAA Hurlers and most recently Armagh Camogie.

“We pray for the entire Lennon family circle at this time, especially his wife Úna and sons Michael & Matthew, former players.

“Mary Queen of the Gael pray for him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

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