04-07-2025
Tyrone set to lose star to Premier League for Minor final
The 2025 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor football final is set to take place this Sunday as Tyrone line out against Kerry at Cedrel St. Conleth's Park in Newbridge.
Both sides are looking to end All-Ireland droughts at minor level, with Tyrone having the significantly longer one at 15 years, last winning in 2010 in a final against Cork. Meanwhile Kerry haven't won since 2018, the last of their famous streak of five minor titles in-a-row.
A win for Tyrone will also continue their stellar form at underage level, having won three of the last four U20 All-Ireland titles, however it looks like they'll be missing a vital player for the final this Sunday. Joel Kerr of Tyrone in action against Cavan Pic: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
Joel Kerr is one of the most promising athletes in Northern Ireland right now. As well as being a star for this Tyrone minor team, Kerr has also already penned a professional contract with Premier League side West Ham United.
Kerr is a left winger who has up until this month played for Glentoran as well as the Northern Ireland U16s and U17s. He signed a deal to join West Ham several months ago on a three-year deal which was set to commenced on July 1.
This is where the issue has arose from. As the All-Ireland Minor final is taking place on July 6 West Ham have supposedly stopped Kerr from playing in the match. Jason Spelman of Republic of Ireland vies with Joel Kerr of Northern Ireland during the U16 Victory Shield Pic:Kerr has played a crucial role in Tyrone's run to the final, including scoring two points in the quarter-final win over Cork as well as a goal in the semis against Roscommon.
Tyrone manager Gerard Donnelly is still hopeful of bring Kerr back into the fold as discussions are ongoing between Tyrone and West Ham about releasing the youngster for the final, but at this time it looks unlikely to come through.
Still only 16, Kerr is also eligible to play minor again next year, but it looks like he won't be a part of that panel when it comes around. This story speaks to the immense ability of Joel Kerr and perhaps he's a name we'll become very familiar with in the near future.
