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Brian McGuigan celebrates Morgan Treacy/INPHO

'The fun has gone out of the modern game' - Brian McGuigan

McGuigan fondly recalls enjoying a Chinese take-away the night before games, and a pint afterwards.

BRIAN MCGUIGAN HAS hailed the physical conditioning of the Tyrone players but suggested that the ‘fun has gone out of it’ as they chase peak fitness and, ultimately, another All-Ireland title.

McGuigan, a three-time All-Ireland medalist in the mid-2000s, revealed that he used to enjoy a Chinese take-away the night before games and often a pint afterwards but said the present players adhere to strict dietary protocols.

That dedication is clearly paying off because Tyrone are Allianz league Division 2 champions and favourites to beat Cavan on Sunday to return to a first Ulster final since 2010.

But McGuigan, who will go down as one of the county’s greatest forwards, said it appears to him that their relentless pursuit of success has stripped much of the joy from the game.

“I was at an event last Saturday night and there were five or six of the current Tyrone players at it and even what they’re eating and drinking at these events is different,” said McGuigan. “It’s as if football is everything.

“They were just sipping away at the water and maybe had their own water bottles with them. Whenever the food was set out on the table they weren’t eating it, they must have had their prep food with them or already eaten.

“I was actually talking to Sean Cavanagh one day and one thing we always prided ourselves on was that after we played matches we always liked to go for a drink, after a good Championship match, and Sean says that doesn’t happen now.

“It’s back to recovery and into the pool session and away home. Like, there’s no spirit at all. Even on the bus, we always would have had great craic on the bus but now everyone has their headphones on and there’s no talking or communicating at all.

“So I think the fun has gone out of it but if you want to keep up with the best, I suppose that’s what you have to.

“There’d certainly be no Chinese food on a Saturday night, or pizzas. I always would have loved getting a carry out the Saturday night before a match. I just can’t see it any more.

Tomas Corr Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

“It’s just something I would have done. But you look at the likes of Mattie Donnelly now, he’s just a pure machine. He eats, sleeps, breathes football.”

McGuigan, 36, who retired at the end of 2012, said the product of the players’ huge work rate is a panel of players that is in supreme physical shape.

He said their unique ability to overrun and overpower teams means that they won’t necessarily have to rely on a talented set of forwards to win big games. The suggestion was made after Tyrone’s low scoring All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry last year that a lack of forward talent cost them and may ultimately prevent them from regaining the Sam Maguire Cup.

“I honestly don’t believe that Tyrone need the firepower,” said McGuigan. “The likes of Owen Mulligan and Stephen O’Neill, I don’t think that Tyrone need that now with the way they play because they get so many scores from their half-backs, their midfielders and their half-forwards. And the other big advantage they have is that Ronan O’Neill has promised so much since he was 16 years of age and is starting to deliver now.

“Against Derry, I was on the sideline and from looking at the players I couldn’t believe the way they’ve physically improved.

“Peter Donnelly is working on that with them and he has obviously done a massive amount of work there. Don’t get me wrong, you still need the footballing ability to make that next step but, physically wise, Tyrone are up there with the best.

“The last day against Derry, I was watching Darren McCurry from the sideline. I’d know him since he was a wee cocky light kid. But I could see the change in his physique. It’s as if Peter Donnelly has squeezed every last piece of muscle into those lads.”

McGuigan said he fancies Tyrone to beat Cavan on Sunday.

“I think Tyrone are a wee step above Cavan in their development,” he said. “A lot of the Cavan players have just won their first Ulster championship game in many years. Yes, they talk about a lot of different options they have up front but a lot of their threat comes from deep and they’re really going to rely on two lads up front, Givney and Argue.

“As we’ve seen in the past, Mickey always seems to come up with a plan to counter two big men inside. We saw it against Kerry in 2008. I don’t think that’s going to be a big weapon for Cavan. I don’t think if they keep pumping high ball in that it will work this time.”

McGuigan was speaking at the launch of the 2016 Bord Gais Energy Legends Tours which take place at Croke Park

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5 Comments
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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:37 PM

    You liat the KO at 14:30…. isn’t it 15:00? I’m booked in for a full head of highlights at 1 and won’t make a half 2 kick off……

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    Mute Boo Radley
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    May 9th 2019, 1:41 PM

    @Bungee Aky: no it’s been changed to 2:30! You’d wanna tell the hairdresser to get a move on

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:46 PM

    @Boo Radley: you can’t rush perfection

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 1:36 PM

    Anybody got an update on the Bill Johnston move to Ulster? Asking for a friend.

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:37 PM

    @Jim Demps: is your friend Rochelle?

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 1:40 PM

    @Bungee Aky: don’t be silly Rochelle has no friends

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 1:41 PM

    @Jim Demps: is it a case of use it or lose it.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Chris Mc: I’m all for it, hope it’s happening. It’d be a great move for him, Ulster and for munster.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 3:51 PM

    @Jim Demps: I’m not sure how it’s good for munster but he does need rugby at this stage.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 5:12 PM

    @Chris Mc: no point in having a 28, 26, 23 and 22 year old all vying for the same position. If Johnston moves on we’ve got a good balance there. At the moment with carbery the same age as him Johnston isn’t going to be given a fair chance so a move will suit him. For munster they can break in Ben Healy and give him the exposure as a young talent. It’s too easy for people to look at Johnston and say he was never given a chance but you can’t ignore his injuries. Two dislocated shoulders and a broken leg for a 22 year old is an awful lot of injuries and it’s bound to slow down his progression. Van Graan has shown that he will give young talent the chance it needs and I’d expect that to continue.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 7:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: fair enough.

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    Mute Andrew H
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    May 9th 2019, 7:54 PM

    @Jim Demps: ‘exposure as a young talent’

    When are you going to see what happens at Munster??

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 8:39 PM

    @Andrew H: I see it every game I go to Andrew. I’ve seen wycherley, loughman, Shane Daly, Gavin Coombes, o Connor and more all excel. You’re just using Bill Johnston as a tired old excuse to beat munster with. Too easy to compare young lads to Ryan and larmour, once in a generation talents who have as much international as club games under their belt. Try comparing them to their peers, Conor o brien to goggin, josh Murphy to wycherley, abdaladze to loughman and the picture might be a bit clearer for you.

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 1:47 PM

    2:30pm? My ticket says 3pm

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 2:00 PM

    @Thomyk: game will be over by then and Munsters season finished.

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 2:05 PM

    @Bungee Aky: could be right there lad , win r lose it’s supporting them that matters

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 2:26 PM

    @Thomyk: naw, nothing beats winning, you just forgot that it’s been so long

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 2:31 PM

    @Bungee Aky: won last Saturday pal , and I’m fairly sure we won a few games this season to, so maybe your talking through your anus now ?

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 3:19 PM

    Are you two done? Now up to your rooms and do your homework and leave your phones down.

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 3:22 PM

    @Thomyk: winning wars not battles

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    Mute Rory D
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    May 10th 2019, 2:30 AM

    @Bungee Aky: grow a brain

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 3:01 PM

    Should be a belter and intimacy of the RDS for such a big game is again great as opposed to 3/4 full Aviva. Re KO info came out earlier for 2.30 KO on PRO14 Twitter

    “Semi-Final KO Update: @leinsterrugby v @Munsterrugby to kick off at 14:30 on Saturday May 18 – live on @eirSport & @PremierSportsTV
    #GuinnessPRO14”

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    Mute Eoin Murphy
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    May 9th 2019, 3:59 PM

    @mrbryanrussell: if lowe plays it could be a rout

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 4:59 PM

    @Eoin Murphy: don’t think so, one thing is for certain let’s hope they don’t get sucked in like last time and focus on getting the job done. Should be a great match hopefully JVdF is back in the squad too as well as Joey

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    Mute sup
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    May 9th 2019, 9:02 PM

    Will be tough for Leinster. Either they’ll all be hungover after winning the European cup, or in a sad shitty mood with no desire to play.

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    Mute Richard James
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    May 9th 2019, 10:42 PM

    @sup: They’re highly motivated to do the double and if they lose to Saracens their determination will be even greater to win a trophy this season.

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