O’Neill happy to spearhead Tyrone’s assault on the Kingdom
THESE days, Stephen O’Neill is content to hang in at full-forward, performing the role in the Tyrone attack which was for so long almost the exclusive preserve of Peter Canavan.
His value to the team is underscored by his remarkable contribution of 5-45 from nine outings. And, unlike two years ago, when he was on the way back from injury and didn’t start in the All-Ireland final against Armagh, he knew that this time his place in the starting line-up was as good as guaranteed.
“It was a disappointment not to be there two years ago,” O’Neill said, “but back then the team was playing very well and I was only back from injury.
“I had no complaints, I was just glad the team was winning. Okay, you don’t have the same part in the build-up but then again the nerves aren’t as bad either when you are on the subs bench!’’
Last year, Tyrone didn’t make it beyond the All-Ireland quarter-final, losing to Mayo by four points after Donegal had put them out in the Ulster semi-final. O’Neill feels there wasn’t the same hunger as the year before, that preparations might not have been as good, that they went through the motions at times.
“We were talking a great game but we weren’t going out and doing it on the field. Everybody this year is pulling together.’’
Cormac McAnallen’s sudden death at the start of 2004 had a traumatic effect on the players but while nobody suggests their subsequent failure could be attributed to his loss, O’Neill agreed McAnallen was greatly missed on the field.
“We had a job to do and we didn’t. Perhaps if Cormac had been there we would have been better prepared and focused, because you know the way he prepared for games. He was a great leader for us.’’
With such an emphasis in the media on Tyrone’s tactical play and the way Kerry are seen to have refined their style, O’Neill retains a strong belief in the way games are contested.
“People say Kerry have copied the northern style, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It’s up to every member of the team to work hard. People talk about this “cluster” thing, but it’s good defending if you get two and three players around a man and he’s blown up for over-carrying. I don’t hear too many people complaining about it now. There’s nothing in the rules against it.
“At the end of the day you can’t just go out with a cavalier attitude and try and outscore the opposition. You are going to try and stop them from scoring as well. I don’t think it’s strange for Kerry to be playing that way. It was good thinking by their management team.’’
O’Neill is not complaining about his switch from the half-forward line to full-forward.
“I’m not working back as much, you have a lot less work to do. It’s a wee bit handier, I like playing full-forward. But at the end of the day, Mickey (Harte) will give you your job to do and you have to go out and do your best.’’
His impressive scoring record - he says he “doesn’t really bother” practicing, preferring to “just hit them on the day” - features penalties scored against Dublin and Armagh.
Against Dublin, he was kicking into the Canal End and was booed loudly as he lined up to take the kick. It showed he had the temperament to match his accuracy.
“You hear it (the booing) but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what the crowd is doing. The ball is the most important thing. You keep your focus on that and try and get a good strike on it. And you hope the goalkeeper doesn’t guess the right way... and it goes in!’’
What impresses him about Kerry is how convincingly they have played in getting back to the final, rejecting the view they have had easy games.
“It’s down to their preparation and at the minute they are the best prepared in the country,” O’Neill said. “They haven’t given too many teams any chances and it’s a credit to them.’’
Describing Colm Cooper as a class act, he doesn’t agree with the view that Kerry depend too much on him. Nevertheless, he accepts Cooper is brought into play as much as possible.
“If he was in our team I’m sure we’d be doing the same. He has great players around him.
“If you look at the sort of ball going into him, it’s the sort of ball a forward dreams about,’’ he added.
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