RONAN McNamee says he’s “just about hanging in” with Tyrone in the hope of winning another All-Ireland title.
Following their impressive dismantling of Donegal in Ballybofey last Saturday night, the Red Hands received the toughest of All-Ireland quarter-final draws in Kerry at Croke Park this weekend.
Heavy favourites ahead of their 2021 All-Ireland semi-final two years ago, Kerry are once again favoured just as heavily for Saturday’s intriguing last eight showdown.
“The All-Ireland is more competitive than it has been for about 10 or 15 years and obviously the aim was to stay in the competition and get back to Croke Park. And we’re there now.
“You’re just trying to hang in there. We want to win another All-Ireland otherwise you wouldn’t be putting as much into it. Maybe that’s why I’m still going and hanging on by the skin of my teeth!”
The 31-year-old Allstar defender is nearing his best form again, having held Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty to just one point from open play.
McBrearty was a late change in Donegal's starting line-up.
“During the national anthem I saw him standing there and once he was named, I was always going to him,” said the Aghyaran clubman, now in his 12th year with the Tyrone seniors.
“I was half expecting to see him so it was no real shock. Paddy and me have gone to war plenty of times so we know each other inside out at this stage.”
Whether Tyrone can upset the odds as they did two years ago remains to be seen but McNamee believes the O’Neill County will be dining at the top table over the coming years given the successes at underage level.
“Tyrone is competing for All-Irelands at a lot of levels,” he said. “You have MacRory champions (Omagh CBS) from Tyrone, the McLarnon champions (St Joseph’s, Donaghmore) from Tyrone and the Markey Cup champions (Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore) from Tyrone, so there’s plenty of football talent there and that can only bode well for the future.”
