Sport

Legends inspire us: McGeary

IN the dressing room, the players are told that actions speak louder than words. They are reminded that their jersey bears a famous crest, that they represent a county steeped in tradition, that excellence is expected, total commitment demanded and that they are Tyrone and Tyrone come to win.

Kieran McGeary says that by the time the team rose as one with a roar to take the pitch against Armagh for last week's Ulster semi-final, the players were "ready to take the walls down".

By half-time that game was over - not even a gutsy second half rally could save the Orchardmen.

This U21 team represents the future for Tyrone. The county seniors were relegated from Division One last Sunday and Pomeroy clubman McGeary says that makes the U21s even more determined to win.

"You want to show people that Tyrone is still there," he said.

"The way the Red Hand has gone this last while, it hasn't been looking good but hopefully we'll do something to bring that bit of faith back into it.

"Brian [Dooher] and Peter [Canavan] and Fergal [Logan] like to remind us of where we should be and where we can get to. We always talk about doing things and not just talking about it.

"Every member of the panel, the physio team, the backroom staff... everybody wants to win and the way we went out against Armagh, we were ready to take the walls down.

"That was good, we needed that to get up for the game."

McGeary scored two points from wing-back in the semi-final and says this Tyrone panel has been inspired by the management of All-Ireland winners Dooher and Canavan and All-Ireland finalist Logan.

"It's second to none," he said. "It's full of experience. They're the boys that have been there and done it, worn the jersey and won medals.

"From the start of the year they have been great, we have listened to everything they have said so far and look where we're at - an Ulster final.

"So we'll continue to listen to them."

McGeary was an Ulster minor winner back in 2012. Tyrone haven't added to their list of 23 titles at that level since and last year Donegal won Ulster for only the sixth time in their history.

The Tir Chonaill seniors also won provincial honours but the U21s lost their second final in two years against Cavan.

They bounced back this year though, beating the Breffni youngsters in a nip-and-tuck quarter-final that was decided by Ryan McHugh's late goal.

"They'll believe this is their time because they were very unfortunate last year to get beat by Cavan and they got one back on them this year," said McGeary.

"I'd imagine they'll be giving it everything. Cavan going out was a monkey off everyone's back and it was good to have them out of the road but Donegal is a big opposition as well."

Tyrone beat Armagh more convincingly than the final scoreline of 2-12 to 2-8 suggested at Kingspan Breffni Park last week. The goals came from Lee Brennan and Conor Meyler and McGeary described the panel as "a great group" packed with talent and united by camaraderie.

"Everyone's ability on the panel is fantastic and they are a great group," he said.

"In finals you look at team spirit to get you over the line and I do believe we have a great team spirit there.

"Look at the players that came on in the semi-final... We got an early black card and we brought on a player and he did an equal job. We have strength all over the panel."