Football

Cassidy frustrated by Rebels' keeper but hails Tyrone's spread of scores

Ronan Cassidy's finishing has been one of many stand-out features of a stylish run of victories that have taken Tyrone to the All-Ireland minor final Picture: Margaret McLaughlin.
Ronan Cassidy's finishing has been one of many stand-out features of a stylish run of victories that have taken Tyrone to the All-Ireland minor final Picture: Margaret McLaughlin. Ronan Cassidy's finishing has been one of many stand-out features of a stylish run of victories that have taken Tyrone to the All-Ireland minor final Picture: Margaret McLaughlin.

RONAN Cassidy fired over five points as Tyrone blitzed Cork to book their place in the All-Ireland final, and he’s the first to admit it could well have been 3-5.

The Donaghmore lad’s finishing has been one of many stand-out features of a stylish run of victories that have taken the Red Hands to a first decider since 2010.

But he was quick to point out that his was just one of eight names on the score-sheet in a 0-23 to 1-6 demolition of the Munster champions.

“It was great scoring and the amount of scorers that we had showed that we have serious depth in the squad,” he said.

“You saw Conor Owens and Jack Martin coming on to the pitch and scoring seven points between them. It’s deadly.

“It’s not a bad Cork team at all, they’re a really good side. But in the second half we kept adding on to the scoreline, and it probably didn’t reflect the game.”

A potent attacking unit is only part of the Red Hand story. A solid defence, a dynamic midfield and work ethic that permeates the entire team makes this year’s minor side a very special unit, and one which promises to bring honour to the county not just this season but for many years to come.

“We think we have what it takes to win the All-Ireland,” Cassidy declared.

Last Saturday’s 14-point winning margin at Tullamore would have been much greater had Cork goalkeeper Daniel Walsh not been in such magnificent form.

Walsh pulled off five brilliant saves to deny the Ulster champions, three of them from corner forward Cassidy.

Having hit the Fermanagh net twice in the Ulster semi-final, he looked odds-on to add to his goals haul when the opportunities arose at O’Connor Park, but the Cork stopper was in unbeatable form.

“He’s a good ’keeper, and I suppose I was a bit unlucky it wouldn’t go in the net for me.”

And Cassidy knows that if he gets a chance at Croke Park this weekend he’ll have to put it away, as every score will be precious against a highly rated Meath side.

“I’ll need to put it away if I get a chance in the final, because I would expect Meath to put it up to us.

“It will be a tough one. We watched them in the Leinster final, and they were really strong against Dublin.

“We’ll do our homework on them and we’ll make sure we’re ready for them.

“We played them in a friendly a couple of years ago, and they have some fantastic footballers.

“We know they’re going to be a very good side, and we’ll have to be at our very best to beat them.”

One of the strengths of the Tyrone squad is the bond that has developed between the players and with the management.

Their shared loyalty has been evident throughout a Championship campaign characterised by unity and teamwork.

“Every man has every man’s back, and we all work for each other.

“Every week on the training pitch we’re working on that, and I think it showed.”

And that bond is particularly strong between the Donaghmore representatives in the panel – seven in all.

“There’s seven of us on the panel, and it’s a proud moment for all of us.”

It’s been a hectic schedule with games every week, and the final follows next Saturday, with little time to reflect and prepare.

“I think that helps it, the games being so close together, we have the momentum going.”