Fulfilling McAnallen’s burning ambition the spark that lit Tyrone flame

WHEN they had finally found the sanctuary of their dressing room, Mickey Harte led his Tyrone team into the adjacent warm-up room.

A circle was formed, Sam Maguire was planted in the middle and for a full 15 minutes they danced and clapped and hugged and cheered.

Winning a second All-Ireland in three years was sweet. Beating Kerry, the game’s true aristocrats, in the final made it even sweeter. Fulfilling Cormac McAnallen’s burning desire was what really mattered though.