Eugene McKenna has condemned the Tyrone GAA board's handling of his and Art McRory's removal from the county football management.

In advance of Sunday's county convention in Garvaghy, the former joint-manager has written a letter to all Tyrone clubs which outlines the sequence of events in the affair.

It has also been revealed that Augher clubman Phelim O'Neill will attempt to unseat long-serving secretary Dominic McCaughey at Sunday's convention.

In his letter, McKenna said that he and McRory had been stood down by the Tyrone board "without consultation".

"There has been much public and private misrepresentation and speculation about the matter - most recently by the county PRO at a function in my own parish.

"I, therefore, feel it is necessary to put the record straight for the clubs of Tyrone".

McKenna said that he and McRory had decided to stay on for the 2003 season after a long period of consultation "especially with the players".

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"We were re-appointed on a majority 33-11 at the September county board meeting - a re-appointment which I felt was badly handled.

"A matter of this importance should have been specifically notified to club secretaries in advance of that meeting.

"Furthermore, the subsequent attempt to present the decision as unanimous, was an insult to the integrity of the dissenting delegates, and caused unnecessary controversy".

Shortly after being re-appointed in September, McKenna began preparations for the team holiday in January which would "form an important part of our preparations for 2003".

However, McKenna was angry at learning that the team trainer and physio had been excluded from the trip.

"I strongly disagreed with the decision and particularly the failure to consult and made this clear to the county chairman and assistant secretary".

McKenna said that he had learned of the existence of the Tyrone county board's statement concerning the management's being stood down, from a journalist at 1330 on Wednesday 23 October.

The episode has done untold damage to the reputation of Tyrone football Eugene McKenna

"The first contact I had from anyone on the management committee concerning the statement or their decision was a full week later, on 30 October, in the form of a recorded telephone message from the PRO".

Despite his annoyance, McKenna said he had agreed to put his name forward for the appointment of a new manager after receiving "encouragement from players".

"Interviews for the position took place on 12 November and I had been promised that I would be told of the outcome on the evening of Thursday 14 November.

"In fact, I found out when phoned by a senior county player on the Thursday morning".

McKenna also criticised the public apology he was given by Tyrone county chairman Liam Nelis a week later.

"Finally, to my surprise, at the press conference, the following week, to introduce the new manager, the county chairman apologised for the "hurt caused".

"A simple phone call from him would have been so much more appreciated and appropriate".

It is imperative to set the record straight Eugene McKenna

McKenna added that the "entire matter has been handled in a disgraceful, incompetent and vindictive manner".

"It has done untold damage to the reputation of Tyrone football.

"The management and players need to be protected from the interference, mismanagement and distractions caused by this whole episode.

"Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the clubs to prevent this from happening and hold to account those they elect to conduct Tyrone affairs.

"There should not be an implication that just because it is an amateur organisation, it is acceptable to manage it incompetently.

"I have not taken this action lightly but feel it imperative to set the record straight.

"I hope you will accept that my record of commitment to Tyrone football for nearly 30 years, both as a player and manager, entitles me to do so," concluded McKenna.