Russell back in Kingdom reckoning
The Laune Rangers player made his first appearance in the Kingdom colours since last season’s All-Ireland final success when he came on as a substitute during last weekend’s victory over Kildare.
His inclusion at right corner forward sparks the move of Darren O’Sullivan to right half forward in place of Daniel Bohane, while Anthony Maher replaces Eoin Brosnan on the other flank of attack.
The only other change from the Kildare match sees Aidan O’Mahony taking over the centre back position from Ronan O’Flaherty.
Joe Bergin has been ruled out of the Galway team because of an achilles tendon injury he sustained during last weekend’s victory over Mayo and his place at midfield has now been allocated to Dominic Dunleavy.
Stephen Enright in goal instead of Tom Wall, the only change on the Waterford side that defeated Carlow last time out for Sunday’s League Division 4 meeting with Tipperary at Dungarvan.
Meanwhile Sean Cavanagh has not given up hope of former Tyrone team-mate Stephen O’Neill returning to the fold during the summer.
O’Neill announced his retirement from inter-county duty in January having had his career blighted by a series of knee and hamstring injuries since being named Footballer of the Year after the Red Hands’ second All-Ireland success in three seasons in 2005.
The Clann na Gael clubman felt that he could no longer make a contribution to his county’s cause but Cavanagh is hopeful that the appetite will return.
“If we can bend Stephen O’Neill’s arm to come back in before the year is, out who knows what can happen.
“Stevie is a fierce competitor and I know he has still got that drive and determination. Sitting watching Tyrone playing will be killing him, so fingers crossed, with a couple of months injury-free, he will be back in the squad before the year is out.”
Injuries have been a major handicap for Tyrone since 2005 and apart from O’Neill, Brian Dooher, Brian McGuigan, Conor Gormley, Enda McGinley, Ciarán Gourley and Collie Holmes have also suffered serious setbacks. Finally though, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s a bit of a freak of nature” says Cavanagh. “It is very strange. It’s been clearing up in the last few weeks though and fingers crossed it will have cleared up by the time championship comes around.”
While many of these problems may be of the ‘wear and tear’ variety, given that such a high number of the All-Ireland winning minor outfits of 1997 and 1998 are still involved, an infusion of fresh blood has helped to re-energise the panel. Most importantly the hunger for glory remains.
“After winning a couple of All-Irelands, everyone thinks that your hunger is dropped but speaking from my point of view, your hunger comes back whenever you see the likes of Kerry lifting the All-Irelands at the end of September.
“It certainly drives you on. I know Mickey Harte is as driven as he’s ever been as well as the other guys. Hopefully the injuries will clear up and we’ll be able to give it a right push and challenge with the likes of Kerry and Galway.”
Eight Hogan Cup winning heroes from St Patrick’s Academy are set to link up with the Tyrone minor squad for the first time this weekend.
The Red Hands will be boosted by the Dungannon contingent for Saturday’s important Ulster MFL clash with Antrim.
Fresh from their dramatic All-Ireland colleges triumph at Portlaoise on Saturday, Niall McKenna, Brian Kelly, Ryan Pickering, Dermot Thornton, Ciaran Gervin, Sean Murphy, Gavin Teague and Michael Slane are all available for the Casement Park tie.
Raymond Munroe’s side has been performing impressively even without the Academy boys, winning all four of their games to date.
Another success this weekend will secure a place in the final, but manager Munroe has made it clear he is prepared to change a winning team, as he strives to assemble his strongest possible squad in preparation for the championship.
“We haven’t seen enough of them, so probably we’ll see a few of the Dungannon boys there against Antrim,” said Munroe.
D. Murphy; P. Reidy, M. O’Se, T. O’Sullivan; T. O’Se, A. O’Mahony, T. Griffen; D. O’Se, S. Scanlon; D. O’Sullivan, D. Walsh, A. Maher; M. F. Russell, K. Donaghy, B. Sheehan.
P. Doherty; K. Fitzgerald, F. Hanley, D. Burke; G. Sice, N.Coyne, D. Mullahy; D. Dunleavy, B. Cullinane; P. Clancy, P. Joyce, D. Meehan; M. Clancy, M. Meehan, F. Breathnach.
S. Enright; M. O’Gorman, T. O’Gorman, J. Walsh; E. Rockett, S. Briggs, J. Phelan; G. Hurney, M. Ahern; T. O’Lionnain, G. Power, P. Hurney; S. Cunningham, A. Hubbard, C. Power.
