Football

No errigal fear for McAliskey

Clonoe attacker Connor McAliskey believes his team can upset the odds and dethrone defending champions errigal Ciaran in tomorrow's Hunky Dorys Tyrone SFC semi-final.

The 22-year-old Tyrone star has been in sparkling form, scoring eight points in last weekend's quarter-final win over eglish at o'neill Park.

The o'Rahilly's return to the Dungannon venue to face an errigal side coming off a massive 20-point defeat of Augher.

"If you're going to win it, you have to beat the best, and errigal Ciaran are definitely up there," said McAliskey.

"It's going to be a tough ask, but I don't see why a team like us can't beat them, we're up there with the best in this league, and we have full confidence that we can go on and win this."

McAliskey's forward partnership with Danny Mcnulty has been key to Clonoe's championship run, with the pair hitting a combined total of 1-12 against eglish.

"It's something we've been working on this past couple of years, since me and him have been in there.

"When we get playing together it seems to work, and we get scores between us, the big man-small man thing seems to do something.

"It gives us a bit of variety kicking the ball in, because he's good in the air and I like the ball in low. It's going well so far so hopefully it keeps going.

"We were very good up-front, and we got it on the scoreboard. But there's still a lot to improve on, we're giving away a lot of ball, with stupid passes.

"We'll try and work on it this week to prepare for errigal Ciaran. It was a good performance but still stuff to work on before the semi-final.

"errigal put up a big score against Augher and put in a great performance."

Manager Damian Cassidy led Clonoe to o'neill Cup glory back in 2008, and with the former Derry boss back for a second stint at the club, everything is geared towards another championship triumph.

"He's basically a Clonoe man now, and we're all going for the same thing, everybody wants to win championships," said McAliskey (right).

"He has prepared us well for every game, we just keep doing what he tells is to do, and it seems to be working." errigal expect to have midfielder Cormac McGinley back for tomorrow's tie after the former Tyrone player missed the derby clash with Augher through injury.

Peter Harte and Davy Harte are key men for the o'neill Cup holders, while Ciaran McGinley has been their outstanding performer in an impressive run to the last four,

which has seen them defeat Dromore, after a replay, in a repeat of last year's final.

Aidan McCrory and Stefan Tierney will keep it tight at the back, while Tommy Canavan's place-kicking expertise could be decisive up front, where Ronan McCrory and Sean McKenna always carry a threat.

Clonoe's experienced full-back Aidan Brady, along with Sean Hughes and PJ lavery, will make life difficult for a talented errigal attack, while Stephen Mcnulty and Shane o'Hagan form one of the finest midfield partnerships in the county.

McAliskey and Danny Mcnulty carry the main scoring threat, but they will also look to Colm Doris and Patrick Doris to chip in with a few points.

This one could produce the game of the championship, and a big crowd is expected at o'neill Park to witness what should be a tight contest, with the champions capable of squeezing through to another decider.