OWEN MULLIGAN says that the Tyrone fans need to create a ‘hostile, intimidating and uncomfortable’ atmosphere in Omagh this weekend, when they welcome Dublin in the next phase of their Super 8s campaign.
Tyrone picked up a crucial win against Roscommon last weekend to kick-start their journey in the inaugural Super 8s competition, but the challenge will be significantly more difficult this weekend when they take on Jim Gavin’s charges.
It will be a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final which turned out to be an underwhelming affair, with Dublin steamrolling past the Ulster side on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-11.
Three-time All-Ireland winner Mulligan feels things are different this time around compared to the 2017 meeting as Tyrone go in search of redemption in Healy Park [Throw-in, 7pm].
“Mickey Harte will love this latest challenge and the players will feel that they let themselves down last year, said the Paddy Power News columnist.
“It would have hit them hard. But this is 2018 and a chance to put things right. Tyrone have a massive chance on Saturday night to cement the status of All-Ireland challengers this year. And no bigger game to do it in.
The Tyrone supporters will play a massive part. It needs to be hostile, intimidating and uncomfortable for the All-Ireland champions.
“I’ve experienced first-hand how the Tyrone supporters can be the sixteenth man when the game is in the melting pot. I think Tyrone will do this on Saturday night.”
Commenting on Tyrone’s chances of advancing to the All-Ireland semi-final stages, Mulligan said that Tyrone should be feeling confident, and suggests that the performance of forward Richard Donnelly could be crucial for them.
“We are entitled to get carried away and think ‘it’s coming home,’ but we have to keep our feet on the ground. Tyrone have played only one Division 1 team in this year’s Championship. The rest have been lower league teams. When the Dubs come to town it will show if Tyrone are title contenders or another season of empty promises.
“But they are peaking at the right time. Mickey Harte has given some of his squad players valuable game time. This will be key when they take on the Dubs and Donegal.
Tyrone have been crying out for a target man like Richard Donnelly for so many seasons and he is going to be key for Tyrone at the edge of the square if they are going to qualify. He’ll be relishing the chance to take on the big guns and test himself.
“For me I’ve seen enough of Tyrone that tells me that they can come out of this Super 8 group and qualify.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
On form lar has no business starting. Maybe there is a big game in him yet this year
Yeah but he will take watching all the same.
Yearra the way he is playing you could watch him handy from the upper davin
Oh I can’t fookin wait!
No Mickey Cahill! I’d rate him one of the best hurlers going. Never seen him play a bad game and always picks up the opposition’s top inside forward.
O’Shea must have serious faith in these boys.
My biggest worry is if someone of the likes of bonnar or Callanan get injured or aren’t performing we don’t have the strength in depth to replace them. Backs are okay but kk have much more strength in depth all over the pitch. It’s an 18 man game now
Doubt it makes a difference what Team he picks..
Think people are a bit misguided on Tipp’s strength in depth, we have Jason Forde, Niall O’Meara and Dinny Maher to spring of the bench if needed. Another with potential is Colin O’Riordan or Shane Bourke who had a good league campaign. On form Lar and Noel McGrath probably shouldn’t be selected but we don’t see every training. I have been their biggest critic but can only hope there’s a big game in both on Sunday.. Its going to a be cracking game on Sunday all the same… so many questions, so many moving parts..
Just what I wanted to hear, as long as Lar Corbett plays, we’ll be playing 14 men :)
Tell that to Noel Hickey! Hel be quick to tell you what Lar can do!
* could
There won’t be much sign of you Gavin on this site Sunday night I can tell ya after that comment..