Colin Sheridan: Mayo and Tyrone have more in common than they think

If defiance has defined Tyrone’s legacy, persistence and resilience has defined Mayo’s, writes Colin Sheridan

Cillian O’Connor of Mayo consoles Rory Brennan of Tyrone at the end of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Mayo and Tyrone at Croke Park. Picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

In the late nineties, as the country continued the slow and painful healing process following peace in Northern Ireland, I found myself stationed in the border town of Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Hours from anywhere remotely close to home; Lifford offered little by way of distraction.