Latest news with #JoelKerr
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tyrone's Kerr misses All-Ireland Minor final after West Ham move
Tyrone coach Ciaran Gourley says it is "unfortunate" that West Ham footballer Joel Kerr was not available to play in Sunday's All-Ireland Minor final against Kerry. Kerr played a key role in the Red Hands' progression to the final on Sunday, but was not able to feature for Gerard Donnelly's side as his contract with the Premier League side started on 1 July. The 16-year-old had balanced playing gaelic football for Tyrone and was also an underage player with Irish Premiership side were reports in the build-up to the final that Kerr would not be allowed to play after his move to the Premier League side was finalised, but he was surprisingly named in the Red Hands' starting team before throw-in. However, Gourley confirmed that Kerr was not available to feature and said it was "unfortunate" for the teenager. "We had hoped during the week there might have been an opportunity for us," Gourley told TG4 before Tyrone's decider."Look, he signed with them on 1 July so he's their [West Ham's] player. "You have to respect that it's a big opportunity over there and you can't maybe jeopardise that for this one game."The players have still prepared as best they can and I know he'll be watching and cheering us on, but unfortunately for us he's not here."
Irish Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Tyrone deserving favourites to extend underage dominance
All-Ireland MFC Final: Kerry v Tyrone, St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Sunday, 1.30pm – Live TG4 The power of Tyrone's underage conveyor belt continues to impress. This year, they won a third under-20 All-Ireland in four seasons to go with Omagh CBS's two Hogan Cups in the past three years. Now, the minors are in the Electric Minor Ireland All-Ireland, looking for a first win in 15 years. Kerry are the first non-Ulster side to make the final in three years and are after a first title since the five-in-a-row sequence concluded seven years ago. They won a classic semi-final against Mayo, surviving a late comeback with a huge contribution from Ben Kelliher of 0-9, seven from play. Like Kerry, Tyrone are unbeaten so far, but have a personnel problem with the gifted Joel Kerr having signed for English soccer club West Ham, effective from July 1st. Frantic negotiations have been ongoing against a pessimistic backdrop. The Ulster champions have, however, had prolific inputs from Peter Colton and Eoin Long and have enjoyed the benefits of training with the under-20s and seniors in Garvaghy. READ MORE They deserve to be favourites even on a form line through Cavan who they beat more comfortably in the provincial final than Kerry managed later in the All-Ireland series. Verdict: Tyrone
Extra.ie
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
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.
RTÉ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
West Ham's Joel Kerr set to miss minor final with Tyrone
Tyrone forward Joel Kerr is to miss the All-Ireland MFC final after taking up a professional contact with Premier League club West Ham this week. The London club's academy has denied the exciting Red Hands star permission to face Kerry in Sunday's decider at Newbridge. Having signed from Glentoran several months ago, the teenager's contract commenced on 1 July, just six days before what would have been the biggest game of his Gaelic football career. It's understood manager Gerard Donnelly has not given up hope of having the Rock St Patrick's clubman available this weekend, and talks are continuing between Tyrone and West Ham officials in a bid to reach some sort of agreement to have him released to face the Kingdom. Kerr has signed a three-year contract with West Ham and joined up with his new club this week as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from Northern Ireland in recent seasons. The 16-year-old is eligible to play minor football again next season, but what is certain is that he will not be part of the 2026 Red Hands side. He has been one of the standout players in Tyrone's march to a first All-Ireland MFC final since 2021, hitting a couple of late scores to help them to victory over Cavan in the Ulster final when he was named man of the match, and he grabbed a vital goal in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Roscommon. He has been a member of the Glentoran academy since 2020 and has represented Northern Ireland at youth level, producing some sparkling displays as a winger.
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Tyrone star to miss All-Ireland minor final after signing for Premier League club – but Red Hand boss holds out hope
Tyrone attacker Joel Kerr is to miss the All-Ireland MFC final after taking up a professional contract with Premier League club West Ham this week.
