DEPARTING Roscommon manager Kevin McStay is not convinced that Tyrone have closed the gap on All-Ireland champions Dublin.
Mickey Harte’s side lost to Dublin by 12 points in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final but there appeared to be signs of improvement in their six-point final loss last weekend.
McStay, the guest speaker at The Irish News Ulster Allstars next Thursday, still feels that the Red Hands have a long way to go, but believes that they have every chance with time on their side.
“After half-time I would have called it a six-point stroll,” said McStay, whose Roscommon side lost heavily to both finalists in the Super 8s.
“Tyrone were within three or four points a couple of times coming down the stretch but I really don’t think that reflected the game.
“The fact that the first quarter didn’t set up Tyrone as potential champions says a lot. They lost their lead so quickly and it always looked like Dublin from there.”
McStay believes that Harte and his players are doing a lot of things right but suggests that they’ll need to strive for even more given Dublin’s ability to produce amazing new talent every season.
“Their age profile is good enough to say that they will probably close the gap,” he said.
“At the same time the players Dublin are trotting out year on year makes that so difficult.
“Diarmuid Connolly, Paul Flynn and Bernard Brogan have all been replaced essentially within 12 months.
“It’s amazing and it has been so seamless too.
“Tyrone are certainly one of the teams that look geared up to get closer, but it’s still going to be a huge ask to even do that.”
