WIN, lose or draw, Kevin Hughes says the character of Tyrone’s players will be tested in Sunday’s Ulster opener against Donegal.
Two-time All-Ireland winner ‘Hub’ says the Red Hands have the talent to cause an upset in Ballybofey but admits question marks remain over the workrate and desire in the Red Hand ranks.
However, he insists that Mickey Harte’s men can silence their doubters with an under-the-radar win over the reigning Ulster champions.
“We know there is a lot of talent there, it’s just a question of, I wouldn’t say hunger, but workrate and desire,” he said.
“In the Championship match against Armagh last year they didn’t play with the intensity that Tyrone teams would always have played with – especially against Armagh or Ulster opposition.
“Tyrone will have to improve their workrate and their tenacity tenfold against Donegal. I think they believe in themselves, the talent is there, it’s just getting it out of them.”
You can get 9/4 with the bookies on a Tyrone win and Hughes is delighted with that. “Tyrone couldn’t be in a better place,” says Hughes who retired from club football with his native Kileeshil at the end of last season after a succession of hip injuries.
“They played well against Mayo and Kerry and Dublin, but against the Ulster teams they weren’t fit to match their intensity and their defensive strategy.
“I was in Ballybofey at the League game and I don’t think it was as bad as the perception is out there. Donegal were fantastic that day and everything they tried went well for them – they were running at angles, running off the ball, support play, shooting from distance… everything was superb and their defensive tactics were spot on too.
“They snuffed out any Tyrone attack from well up the field and again Tyrone were forced to shoot from distance and it wasn’t happening.”
Hughes played in the last Tyrone side to beat Donegal in the Championship – a 2-15 to 1-7 success back in 2007.
Only Sean and Colm Cavanagh survive from that team and the Tir Chonaill men have won the last three encounters. That means a good start is vital for a group of Tyrone players who have known nothing but defeat against Donegal.
“You just have to draw a line under it (recent history),” said Hughes.
“When you go into a game like that you would be full of confidence because you’re going well at training and at club football you’re going well.
“Once you cross the line it’s how good of a start you get. A lot of times if you get a start your confidence grows but if Donegal start knocking them back then that doubt from the last three games will start to creep in again.
“Mickey and Gavin (Devlin) and the backroom team will have them going well at training. Their fitness will be spot on and their determination will be spot on – it’s just the mental strength of the players.
“Once they cross the white line they’re out there on their own and if their first or second ball goes well confidence will grow but if it doesn’t that’s were you see the character of the players.
“That’s what most Tyrone supporters aren’t sure about – the true character of this team. It’s going to be a big test but it’s a good place for them because nobody is giving them a chance.
“But the flipside is that for any player going in as underdog that’s where you want to be. They’re going in under the radar so hopefully they’ll use that to their advantage.
“If they can adhere to their gameplan and get off to a good start they have a chance.”
