Harte keeps a clear focus after victory

TYRONE'S victory over Mayo in Castlebar was not just another stride on the road to retaining their Allianz NFL title.

Instead, it was a small step forward from what manager Mickey Harte described as "the sad occasion they had to experience in the last couple of weeks".

The memory of deceased captain Cormac McAnallen was everywhere. On the field, it was most obviously illustrated by the retirement of his number three jersey. In the dressing room it was shown by a card of thanks from the grieving family.

The victory was the best form of honouring the Eglish man's memory.

"Ultimately, it was about the result, about the team effort and about two more Allianz League points," Harte commented. "We want to try our best to hold on to this title and it was very important that we would win if we are going to do that."

His views were echoed by All-Ireland captain Peter Canavan, who is about to begin the rehabilitation process after his recent ankle injury.

"The boys were very focused on what they had to do. It was fortunate that we got two points. If Mayo got them, we could have kissed good-bye to our chances of getting through to the latter stages," he said.

"It was an important match for a number of reasons and certainly to give ourselves a good chance of qualifying was one of them. That has always been Mickey's philosophy the more games the better. We haven't changed that line of thought."

Harte is under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead for his team but admits to being pleased with progress to date, given that the team has been without some key players.

"That's what a squad is about. We have to have players there who are capable of going in. As long as you have the mainstay of your team in place, then it's a good chance to filter in a few people at different times.

"We had a chance to do that on Sunday and I must say that Brendan Donnelly and Mickey McGee the two new defenders in there acquitted themselves well.

"Ciaran Gourley did a manful job at full-back, even though he's not used to the position at all, I'd have to say well done to him. It was difficult for him too. It's very fitting that there's an Eglish man in the panel now and Brendan came in and took his place at wing half-back in what was his debut in the National League. It was hard for all of us but more acute for him he grew up with Cormac," he added.

Chris Lawn, one of the most experienced members of the squad, has his first experience of League action after a six-month break. Long-term, he is one of the options the management have for the full-back position which he had occupied prior to Cormac McAnallen being positioned there for last season's Ulster final replay.

"Basically I have been working my way back up and hopefully I'll be there or thereabouts," he said.

"We had a great weekend and we were able to express ourselves to each other in the hotel. It meant that when we got to the ground, it was all about the game and nothing else. Of course there were certain things we had to do before the match, but we were totally committed to winning this game."