Following in the brother's footsteps

AT 6’4” he lords it over Mickey Harte’s Tyrone panel. One look at Pascal McConnell and you sense there was never any doubt that he would be a goalkeeper.

Strange to relate then that it’s his family more than his physique that has shaped his destiny.

The youngest of four brothers, McConnell spent his formative years cheering on his three elder brothers, all of whom represented Tyrone between the sticks. Brian and Declan saw action with the county minors but it was the eldest, Finbarr, whose light burned brightest.

Now 38, Finbarr made his senior debut for Tyrone back in 1991 and won two Ulster medals and an Allstar in 1995-96 with the one-point defeat to Dublin ten years ago depriving him of a Celtic Cross.

“Finbarr has been a massive influence,” McConnell says. “He set the benchmark for goalkeepers in a way because he spent 14 years at the top level. Not too many keepers can boast that. We’d speak often about the game.

“I always wanted to follow in his footsteps. I remember watching the big games and sitting in the Hogan Stand in 1995 for the final. It was always my ambition to follow in the footsteps of my brothers.”

McConnell certainly had the pedigree and it soon became apparent that he lacked nothing in talent either. In 1998 he patrolled the square when Tyrone captured a first All-Ireland minor title in 25 years and was first choice when back-to-back U21 titles came in 2000 and 2001.

All that remained, it seemed, was for Finbarr to pass the baton onto his kid brother at senior level, but Pascal’s transition to the top tier turned out to be far more difficult than he could have imagined.

Before the 2002 league, the brothers abruptly quit the senior panel when Pascal and his U21 understudy Peter Ward were alternated in challenge games. Ward remained and spent the season as first-choice under Eugene McKenna and Art McRory but it took the appointment of Mickey Harte the following season to persuade the younger McConnell to return.

Ever since, he has vied with John Devine - who won an All-Ireland minor medal in 2001 - for the number one jersey. In his first year as manager, Harte swapped his keepers every league game but by the time the big summer gigs came around it was Devine who was handed the jersey.

“It did feel a bit disappointing but, on this team, everybody is fighting for positions,” McConnell reasons. “From goalkeeper right out to corner-forward. Okay, it was disappointing, but you’re still part of it and you can’t be disappointed when a man of the calibre of John Devine is keeping you out.”

The revolving door policy continued throughout this year’s league campaign, the difference being that, when Harte added up the plusses and minuses for each man, the nod was given to McConnell.

Though he missed the replayed Ulster semi-final against Cavan through injury and then the drawn decider against Armagh, McConnell made the first 15 again for the qualifier with Monaghan and every subsequent game.

“It was one of the toughest tussles I’ve ever faced. Credit to John, he’s been very supportive all year. He has done a fantastic job and it’s great to be able to work with him.

“For someone so young he’s done so much. It’s a constant battle though and that can only make you a better player.”

Now Tyrone find themselves entering an All-Ireland final with serious questions over the well-being of both their full-back and midfield lines.

They have conceded eight goals in nine games but McConnell rejects suggestions that their failure to pin down a settled last line of defence has contributed significantly to such a worrying statistic.

“Chris Lawn has been there at full-back for most of the games, including the National League and the championship as well. Mickey McGee has played a few games in there of late. Ryan McMenamin has been consistent as ever.

“No, I can’t fault those lads. They’ve all done a job, done what has been asked of them.”

Kerry will ask sterner questions than most. Last September, Mayo entered the decider averaging less than 11 points per game conceded and proceeded to ship 1-20 on a day when Kerry hardly bothered hunting for goals.

“I don’t know if I’ve had sleepless nights but they are a frightening prospect. They’ve forwards there like Eoin Brosnan, Colm Cooper, Liam Hassett, Declan O’Sullivan.

“Any of them lads could win a game on any given day. They’re fantastic footballers and they’ve proven that over the last five or six years. They’re going to take a lot of watching, a lot of stopping.”

If anyone was born for that, Pascal McConnell was.