Canavan says Tyrone never lost sight of Kerry clash

PETER CANAVAN yesterday dismissed suggestions that Tyrone ‘over celebrated’ their All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Armagh three weeks ago, insisting they never lost sight of Kerry and the final.

The scenes in the tunnel under the Hogan Stand after the county’s one-point defeat of Joe Kernan’s men were more reminiscent of a team that had just captured the Sam Maguire itself, sparking suggestions the panel would find it difficult to raise itself for the decider.

There were similar scenes in Croke Park two weeks earlier when the Galway hurlers evicted Kilkenny from the championship. Tyrone will hardly need reminding of the eventual outcome to that particular campaign.