‘It was one-touch football. As Cork may learn, those who dwelt in possession got nailed'

THE IDEA that plain old hard work and discipline are the twin planks of success can be hard to accept, particularly for perennial runners-up.

There’s always a temptation to believe that some brilliant techniques and innovative coaching devices are what really separate winners from losers.

I am more guilty than most of believing in the ‘secret way’. And as I walked towards a Tyrone training session last Tuesday night, some of my long-held suspicions looked like they were going to be proved correct.