Uncertainty over Tyrone's West Ham minor star Kerr for Sunday's final
Joel Kerr in action against Conor Tighe of Roscommon during the All-Ireland semi-final at Kingspan Breffni. File picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Tyrone are hoping their West Ham United signee Joel Kerr will be available for Sunday’s All-Ireland minor football final against Kerry in Newbridge.
The 16-year-old starlet, whose move from Glentoran was confirmed in March, has been one of Tyrone’s best performers in their campaign so far as they look to match their U20 All-Ireland success in May.
However, there is some uncertainty around his unavailability. As of this month, he is contracted to the London Premier League club in a three-year deal.
A member of The Rock St Patrick’s club, Kerry scored one of Tyrone’s two goals in their semi-final victory over Roscommon in Cavan last month. He was his side’s top scorer in the Ulster final win over Cavan with 1-2 when he was named man of the match and kicked two points in the subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final win over Cork.
Speaking in May, Kerr expressed his determination to concentrate on the minor team before pursuing a professional career. “I’ll worry about West Ham when it comes to it, I’ll focus on this first. I’ve signed a one-year scholar, two-year pro, so I’ll be there for three years. I want to take a good crack at it. I’ll be in London, I’m going at the start of July.”
Kerr signed with Glentoran academy in 2020 and the winger is considered Tyrone’s strongest soccer talent since Liverpool’s Conor Bradley who also excelled at Gaelic football with his club Aghyaran St Davog's.