NO team in the country has won more Qualifier games than Tyrone, and Cathal McShane is feeding off the power of a solid record.
The flame-haired target man, their most potent attacking weapon this season, is confident the Red Hands can survive a trip to Newbridge and keep their latest journey going.
Saturday’s round three clash with Kildare presents a formidable challenge to a team that has wavered and wobbled, losing to Donegal in Ulster, but McShanebelieves last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists have steadied the ship following a comfortable, if somewhat unconvincing, win over Longford last weekend.
“It was important that we set out a marker and got back on track, I think we did that, we got the win which is all-important,” he said.
“We didn’t plan for the Donegal result, we wanted to be in the Ulster final, but it is what it is and we have to move on.
“The win sets us in the right direction. Last year we went through the Qualifiers, so there’s no reason why we can’t do the same again and get another strong run going.”
Tyrone continue to search for a balance between their traditional running game and a new direct kicking approach.
The long-ball strategy mis-fired as they lost out to Donegal in the provincial semi-final, and their subsequent visit to Pearse Park featured a return to the familiar sight of 15 men behind the ball.
“I think it’s important to take every team seriously, they never gave up against Kildare when they were six or seven points down, they got a draw and probably could’ve sneaked a win.
“Obviously in the replay Kildare got the win, but it’s important to respect every team, every man is working hard and we’re working as a team to get to win the ball back. If that involves getting men back so be it but we’re trying to get up the pitch as much as possible at the moment as well.”
But Mickey Harte’s men mixed a defensive set-up with a route one option, which brought notable successes, particularly McShane’s second goal midway through the first half.
“It’s a bit of both, we can run it and we have the kicking option as well. I think we did both well, obviously there’s areas we can improve too.
“We just have to get it right for the next day out, we’d men missing as well and we’d new lads coming in, it’s all about players getting their chance and taking it.”
Kildare, prolific in their comfortable dismissal of Antrim, will look to exploit a Tyrone defence that could be without Padraig Hampsey and Kieran McGaery, and which conceded a worrying 1-14 total to Longford.
“It was the first game back since we got beaten by Donegal, I think it was just about getting over the line.’’
