Defeat might be a bonus, says O’Connor

TYRONE'S Mark Harte was totally oblivious to the significance of his late, late point which reduced Kerry’s winning margin to six points and knocked the champions out of the Allianz National Football League semi-finals.

After a phone call from GAC secretary Sean Ó Laoire confirming that Mayo would progress to the last four, manager Jack O’Connor was left to convey the bad news to his players. Except, it wasn’t all bad.

“We wouldn’t have said ‘no’ if we had qualified. At the end of the day the championship is our priority and this will give us the breathing space to do a bit of work - and it might work in our favour long-term,” said O’Connor later.