Saturday afternoon saw Tyrone record consecutive championship wins for the first time since 2021. All it took was for us to face Munster opposition twice, against Clare and Cork respectively. Now we know how Kerry get their confidence up and feel their way into the summer every year.
Cork provided a stern test in the first half but a black card on 43 minutes cost them dearly as Tyrone coasted ahead. Niall Morgan was exemplary, Mattie Donnelly bossed it, Ben Cullen combined with Darren McCurry for a fine goal and Ruairí joined his brother Darragh on the scoresheet with a confident display.
Tullamore is a fine town for pinting and O’Connor Park is as good a venue as I’ve seen in Ireland. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we are back there. The championship structure is a bit of a joke but the decision to take neutral games out of Croke Park has been a resounding success.
Tyrone are starting to click and a relatively kind draw at home to Roscommon in Omagh gives us a realistic shot at reaching an All Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park. Conn Kilpatrick will miss the game due to suspension for a straight red card against Cork. I didn’t see the incident on the day and I’ve yet to see it since. Referee Paddy Neilan frustrated both sides on the day but Tyrone were deserving of victory.
Our record against Roscommon in championship is very good. Five wins from five (2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2019). Two of those were at the Hyde and three at Croke Park. This will be their first championship visit to Healy Park. Roscommon are noticeably weaker than they have been in recent years and have caused us problems in the league. However, that’s mostly been on home turf. Hopefully this won’t change.
Unofficial Tyrone 