Tyrone staying focused

TWELVE months ago, in Clones, it was so different. Tyrone’s historic breakthrough in winning their first ever Allianz National Football League title was celebrated in style on the field after the final whistle had been sounded by the same referee who officiated in Croke Park yesterday.

Team captain Peter Canavan spent a good ten minutes being kissed and hugged, signing autographs and giving interviews, proudly holding one of his children in his arms. GAA followers everywhere delighted in the fact that one of the game’s outstanding exponents had an overdue day in the sun.

This time, immediately after he had received the trophy from new President Sean Kelly, he headed for the dressingroom, followed by the rest of his teammates. It wasn’t because it was raining, more to do with the matter-of-fact manner in which their victory was greeted second time around.