Tyrone rested and ready, says Gormley

WAITING three weeks to play the All-Ireland football final has been a little “strange” for the Tyrone players, admits outstanding centre-back Conor Gormley - the hero of the 2003 victory over Armagh.

But the players are not complaining. “The extra games should benefit us. Instead of training, players prefer to be playing games, especially in Croke Park - where you want to be all the time. It’s probably the best stadium in Europe,’’ he says. “It has been a bit strange, not having a game since the week before the hurling final. But the rest will do us no harm. It’s an opportunity to recharge the batteries.”

Their semi-final, against Armagh, came only eight days after they had beaten Dublin in a replay. At the time, manager Mickey Harte made it clear that he was not happy at having to play so soon. Nevertheless, Gormley says they still felt fresh going into the game.