Former Tyrone footballer Colm Cavanagh has cited Tyrone’s passion and freedom as the major difference between the current side and the teams of previous generations.
The Ulster champions shocked Kerry in extra time on Saturday, beating the Kingdom by 3-14 to 22 points to advance to the All-Ireland final against Mayo on September 11th.
Cavanagh claims that the key to Tyrone’s victory was the passion and intensity that they displayed right from the start.
Cavanagh appeared on Monday’s Off The Ball alongside ex-Mayo and Armagh player Billy Joe Padden to review the second All-Ireland semi-final. He explained that the Tyrone players were aware that a ferocious approach would be necessary if they were to upset the favourites.
“Tyrone knew they had to come out and be very aggressive and get their matchups right.”
“You could see by some of the turnovers, and the block that Peter Harte made, just how much it meant to them.”
“They had to be at that level - I’ve played in Tyrone teams in the past where we haven’t been at that level, you’ve been comforted back into a system or style of play where it’s all about shuffling together and being methodical in what you’re doing.”
“That Tyrone team are just playing with an awful lot of freedom and passion; that’s something we have lacked in the years gone by.”
“We’ve won titles and we’ve done okay, but that’s probably the reason we haven’t pushed on and beaten the Kerrys and Mayos and Dublins of this world.”
"Tyrone just grew in confidence"
Padden agreed that Tyrone’s confidence was apparent as they began to impose their game on the Munster champions.
“There were times early on in the first half where I felt Tyrone were actively trying to slow the pace of the game down and when they found that so easy, they just grew in confidence.”
“I think one aspect of the game that Kerry will be really disappointed with was how their forwards didn’t create any turnovers, and the Tyrone defenders were very comfortable coming out with the ball even in the early stages.”
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