1. Tyrone can slug it out
Maximising your resources is the measure of any manager. Mickey Harte is certainly getting the most from this current crop of Tyrone footballers.
Tyrone are left in the last four, it doesn’t bother him how the pundits talk. The fact is that Tyrone are now preparing for an All Ireland semi-final.
Deep in the confines of Croke Park Harte protected his players with trademark passion and purpose while also speaking about the nice cocktail of youth and experience. They are all contributing to a common cause: Tyrone.
Harte brought gifted players to ultimate glory in 2003, 2005, and 2008. At the moment Tyrone might lack the depth of those years, but they have a desire and a ferocious willingness to win.
Most of all, though, they have the competitors to dig out victories regardless of how utterly grueling it gets. That was proven once more at headquarters last night.
2. Tactical fouling
A moot issue. Fouls may be cynical, but in the contemporary game they must be viewed as crafty too. Yesterday the match had ticked into the 49th minute. Tyrone led by two. Conor McManus delved into his box of tricks, made a bit of space and was bearing down on goal. A major seemed a distinct possibility.
Sean Cavanagh pulled McManus to the ground. It was a yellow card; one for the team essentially. From the resultant routine free McManus tapped it over. A goal was really needed and in such a tight game it would have carried exceptional value.
It was one incident and Mickey Harte defended Cavanagh afterwards. The Moy midfielder summoned another one of those lung busting displays. All action and relevance, but that foul irked Monaghan.
For those appreciating winners, though, Cavanagh just did what he had to do. Cruel undoubtedly, but clinical too because a Monaghan goal had to be avoided.
3. Sean Cavanagh
The Red Hands marquee man continues to prompt Tyrone. So utterly important to Tyrone’s four All Ireland qualifiers wins, Cavanagh called the tune at Croke Park again especially when a brilliant burst was made midway through the first half.
Between the 12th and 30th minutes, Tyrone outscored Monaghan by eight points to two. Cavanagh hit four of those with three coming from play. Direct and dynamic, Cavanagh forced Malachy O’Rourke to introduce Dick Clerkin in an attempt to get some sort of stability at centrefield.
Cavanagh’s foul on McManus will be debated at length, but it shouldn’t be forgotten how richly enterprising and effective he was throughout.
4. Conor McManus is the real deal
Being self sufficient is the true mark of the modern day forward. Before using it wisely or choosing your shot selection carefully, you have to win ball. Conor McManus scored six points for Monaghan, including three delightful efforts from play. In a claustrophobic match that is a massive return.
With Conor Gormley policing Kieran Hughes and the lack of quality being thumped inside McManus craved involvement. Even in the second period when Monaghan were threatening to do real damage following the dismissal of Tyrone’s Martin Penrose, it was McManus who was taking responsibility.
Though eventually ending on the losing side McManus was immense confirming his talent and temperament on a sizzling weekend of football.
5. Tyrone’s ability to score from distance
In low scoring games where every white flag counts it doesn’t really matter who registers. Tyrone’s threat came from deep and Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke admitted that it took the Farney Army quite some time to get to grips with it.
Tyrone were launching sweeping moves from deep. The statistics prove it. Ciaran McGinley, Conor Clarke, and Peter Harte all nabbed points. Joe McMahon, expertly operating in a free role, ventured forward to kick two sublime efforts. Sean Cavanagh hit three from play. Mattie Donnelly curled one over.
It ensured that Darren McCurry’s two frees were all the Tyrone inside line could muster before substitute Ronan O’Neill added a vital one with six minutes remaining.
The departure of Martin Penrose had an obvious impact as Tyrone were forced to retreat slightly, but with so many composed footballers venturing upfield their threat is wide and varied.
