Gourley to set GAA record next week

Tyrone star Ciaran Gourley will walk into the record books when he steps onto Croke Park for the All-Ireland JFC final next week.

He will become the first gaelic footballer to play in All-Ireland finals at school, club, and all three inter-county grades – minor, U21 and senior.

Gourley’s Rock side will take on Munster champions Canovee of Cork at Croke Park on 17 February.

In 1997, he was a member of the St Patrick’s Dungannon team that won the Hogan Cup in a Croke Park victory over Castlebar.

Later that season, he was on the losing side when Tyrone lost the All-Ireland minor final to Laois.

But in 2000, Gourley won his first All-Ireland medal as a Tyrone player when the U-21's defeated Limerick at Mullingar.

In 2003, he helped the Red Hands win a first ever Sam Maguire Cup in an historic final against Ulster neighbours Armagh.

‘It will maybe be nice to look back on it in years to come, but I haven’t really thought much about it at this stage,’ he said.

‘At the moment, I’m just focusing on the club final, and things like that will be nice to reflect on whenever you’re finished playing.’