TYRONE GAA chiefs yesterday expressed their deepest gratitude to retiring captain Brian Dooher.

The 36-year-old, who has called time on his 16-year intercounty career, was one of the driving forces behind the county’s most successful era during the past decade.

He played a key role in all three of Tyrone’s All-Ireland triumphs, skippering the team to Sam Maguire Cup glory in 2005 and again in ’08.

“Without doubt he was one of the best players we have ever had or are ever likely to see,” said county chairman Ciarán McLaughlin.

Meanwhile, despite Mickey Whelan’s announcement yesterday that he intended to step down as part of Dublin’s management team, the county hasn’t written off the prospect of the veteran St Vincent’s coach staying on for 2012.

Whelan stated in a newspaper interview yesterday that he wouldn’t be remaining with Pat Gilroy’s All-Ireland-winning team as he felt that at 72 and after last weekend’s victory, it was time for him to go.

However Dublin CEO John Costello said: “We havent heard anything from Mickey apart from what we read in the paper and we’re hopeful that he will on reflection remain on as a greatly valued member of the management that so memorably brought Sam Maguire back to Dublin.”