Peter Canavan believes Tyrone are ready to step up a gear in today’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash against Monaghan in Croke Park.
Despite a successful Qualifier run following a credible preliminary round loss in Ulster to Donegal, doubts persist about Tyrone’s All-Ireland credentials. However, Canavan insists that Mickey Harte’s charges are more than ready to face Malachy O’Rourke’s Ulster champions.
The 2003 All-Ireland-winning captain was on Sky Sports duty for last weekend’s Round 4B Qualifier against Sligo, and he was particularly impressed by Tyrone’s defensive performance.
Canavan said: “The performance was reassuring in that they looked so confident and composed in their defensive set-up.
“Both Colm Cavanagh and Joe McMahon played the sweeper role to very good effect.
“They never looked in threat or danger of losing the game at any stage and one couldn’t help but think was more in this Tyrone team.”
While some may dispute whether employing two sweepers against Division Three opposition is a worthwhile tactic, the six-time Allstar believes Harte has had one eye on the latter stages of the Championship.
“It may not have been needed [against Sligo] but thinking ahead you’ve got to get a system in place and stick with it,” he stated.
“Tyrone could’ve been more attack-minded and I think they still would’ve won the game but they were very much aware of the threat that Sligo posed up front with Adrian Marren and David Kelly.
“They would’ve been their chief score takers and the plan Tyrone had in place made those players ineffective.”
Tyrone have been crying out for a playmaker since the retirement of Brian McGuigan and Mark Bradley’s virtuoso display against Sligo puts the Killyclogher man in pole position for making the number 11 jersey his own.
Tyrone’s Qualifier run has also seen his fellow All-Ireland U21 winning stars Rory Brennan and Conor Meyler establish themselves in the first team.
Canavan was one of the selectors of this year’s U21 side and isn’t surprised that the likes of Mark Bradley have quickly adjusted to the demands of senior inter-county football.
“The industry the attitude and the commitment displayed by those players on Saturday was obvious to see and that’s a very necessary ingredient moving forward.
“All the fellas when introduced have made a big impact and the more big game experience these young lads get in Croke Park the better they will become.”
He added: “One of the cards Monaghan has played very well has been their impact subs and the effect of their bench but in Tyrone you’re beginning to see more competition for places.
“When Mickey Harte looks over his shoulder he sees the likes of Justin McMahon, Ronan O’Neill, Conor Clarke and Cathal McShane and these are all players he knows can make an impact. The two benches could well decide Saturday’s game so it’s crucial that Tyrone have strong players to call on and they appear to have that at the minute.”
As well as his insider knowledge of Tyrone’s U21s, Canavan is well-acquainted with Monaghan boss Malachy O’Rourke. Former team-mates with Errigal Ciaran, the Fermanagh native also managed the side to a Tyrone club championship in 2006.
Canavan says O’Rourke’s success as boss derives from a rare combination of tactical astuteness and man-management skills.
“His man management and the rapport that he builds up with players is excellent,” said Canavan.
“He’s very well respected by all his playing panel in Monaghan at the minute, he’s built up a good relationship with the boys, but he’s a thinker of the game too and he’s a habit of getting the best out of individuals and certainly he’s resurrected the careers of a number of these Monaghan men.”
But Canavan fancies Mickey Harte to get the better of his opposite number in his 10th quarter-final in 13 years as Tyrone boss.
“If Tyrone keep progressing the way they have they’re more than capable of beating them. If you take the two main men up front, Sean Cavanagh is the spiritual leader of this Tyrone team and for Monaghan you have Conor McManus who is in the form of his life and like Cavanagh is showing terrific leadership.
“But it’s what’s around those two players that’s going to make the difference. I expect both Cavanagh and McManus to have a positive impact and both of them to play well as they so often do, but in my opinion Tyrone have a stronger supporting cast and that’s why I believe Tyrone are going to shade it.”
