I FINISHED my column last week saying that I felt Tyrone’s need for silverware was greater than Donegal’s. To enhance the growing confidence and inner belief in their squad, it was essential they came away with a win. It was also vital they turned the tables on Donegal, the team who have consistently had their number in Ulster since 2011.
I watched the game in RTE’s Dublin headquarters in the company of Tomas O’Se and Dessie Dolan. Both men were just as excited about the contest as I was. They were also in awe of the pictures being fed back from Clones. The tension, colour and atmosphere had them envious of intense rivalries that now only seem to exist in Ulster at present.
Unfortunately, the game did not live up to its billing. It was by no means a classic Ulster final. Yes it was intriguing and competitive throughout, something that couldn’t be said for the Connacht and Leinster finals that followed. But the drama, excitement and skill when the game exploded into life in the final 10 minutes left me, and I’m sure all other neutrals, frustrated that we had to wait so long to see these two quality sides throwing off the shackles and having a real go at each other.
My fear leading into the game was that excessively defensive tactics from both sides could spoil it. For the majority of the game, this is how it played out. Because both sides dropped so deep into their defensive halves before attempting to tackle, it meant the majority of the game was played at pedestrian pace, without the contact and physicality we all assumed would have materialised.
We have become accustomed to Donegal’s defensive structure. They are extremely comfortable inviting opposing teams inside their 45-metre line before swarming in numbers to force turnovers, allowing them to counter at pace into open space left by their opponents.
Mickey Harte and his management team were obviously wary of committing too many numbers forward and leaving their defenders exposed to counter attacks. That's understandable, but I felt in the first half, they dropped too deep, allowing Donegal far too easily into scoring range. Over the past 18 months, we have become accustomed to contact being made on all opponents who enter the Tyrone half, regardless if they have the ball or not. In the first half alone, Donegal had 17 shots at the Tyrone target. That was a by-product of their set-up and will be nowhere near good enough when they reach Croke Park in August.
Luckily for Tyrone, only Odhrán Mac Niallais and, in particular, Ryan McHugh took advantage during this spell with both men kicking some sublime scores from distance. Donegal are normally economy personified with their shot selection. Unfortunately for them, their seven first half wides and the three the dropped into the 'keeper's hands while in the ascendancy ultimately proved costly.
Rory Gallagher's decision to put Ryan McHugh on Peter Harte was a bold move, but paid huge dividends as McHugh got on a world of ball, kicked three inspirational scores from play and, more importantly, nullified Harte’s influence on proceedings by continuously putting him on the back foot.
I can only image the home truths Mickey Harte issued at half-time as Tyrone emerged a different animal in the second half. Following the break, anything that moved inside their defensive 65-metre line was aggressively tackled, they forced more turnovers and broke with greater pace and numbers. Even more significantly, it was Harte’s decision to deploy Rory Brennan on the man-marking duties of Ryan McHugh was crucial.
McHugh had the run of Clones in the first half without having a hand been placed on him, he was involved in all positive aspects of Donegal’s play. However, the second half was different as Brennan tracked his every move when Donegal had possession, he even managed to get up the field to register a score of his own.
At half-time, the lads and I couldn’t believe how little we’d seen of Sean Cavanagh. I know his role has changed from the swashbuckling midfielder we saw throughout the Noughties to a target man, but very little ball went meaningfully through his hands, which was surprising given the pace and explosive power he possesses. He was one of the few Tyrone forwards who could break through Donegal tacklers to create gaps and opportunities for Ronan O’Neill and Conor McAliskey.
One thing’s for sure, our tune had changed by the final whistle as Cavanagh rolled back the years to give yet another reminder of his importance to his county. His levelling score in injury time was an amazing piece of individual skill. To have the power to break through numerous tackles so late in the game and still have the composure to kick a monstrous point under severe pressure, proved an inspiration to his teammates as they went onto stage a grandstand finish. As the old saying goes, action speaks louder than words.
Where to now for this new Tyrone team? For me, I feel they are now the best-equipped team to take on Dublin in Croke Park. On Sunday, they won a game that, with only a few minutes remaining, looked like it was slipping away from them. You can't buy the confidence that brings. As a county, they lost there way a bit. They won All-Ireland minor titles in 2001, 04, 08 and 10, but it wasn’t until last year they bridged a 14-year gap to win the ever-important U21 title. They now have a perfect blend of youth and experience.
They have conquered Ulster, I wouldn’t bet against them taking care of the rest of the island. For Donegal, it’s the Qualifiers now were they have been paired against Cork on Saturday week. The manner of this defeat will hurt them badly. Some of the key players failed to perform to the levels they expect, yet with two minutes of normal time remaining, they were still in front. Given the experience they have gained in seeing out close contests, they would have back themselves to see this one out.
It wasn’t to be but I still expect, with the extra week's rest and the leaders they possess, along with the fresh newcomers they’ve blooded, that they will regroup and make it to the All-Ireland quarter-finals following a positive result against Cork. My worry is that the past month in Ulster will have physically and mentally taken its toll on them.
