Hughes: Tyrone will be ready for us this time

DOWN forward Danny Hughes has acknowledged that revenge will be uppermost in Tyrone’s minds when the teams meet in their provincial football championship semi-final in three weeks’ time.

The Ulster rivals played out a memorable mini-series the last time they met in 2008 with Down advancing on the back of the narrowest of margins after a replay that went to extra-time in Newry.

“I suppose they will but on any given day anyone can beat anyone,” said the 28-year old. “Tyrone will fancy their chances. They’re a confident team and they had a good win over Antrim. I’d say the first 15, 20 minutes the teams will be weighing each other up and from then on it will be a tight game. We’ll look forward to it when it comes around.”

As for Down themselves, Hughes has played down the significance of that success in Páirc Esler after which many an epitaph was written for a Tyrone team that then went on to claim a third All-Ireland title.

The wing-forward has played alongside many of Mickey Harte’s players whilst on interprovincial duties and has predicted a typically tight encounter and a final scoreboard with little to choose between the teams.

Tyrone, as is their due after their successes in recent years, will enter that tie as favourites, especially since Down needed 90 minutes to negotiate their way past a disappointing Donegal side last Sunday.

Still, when Hughes was asked what he would take most from the game in Ballybofey his reply was short and sweet – the win – and it isn’t difficult to understand why.

That success against Tyrone in 2008 aside, Down have beaten only Cavan in the Ulster Championship since reaching the final in 2003 and there is an acceptance that time is getting away from some of them.

Coulter, who is also 28, said as much after the game and Hughes is equally aware of Father Time’s hand but the win over Donegal was cathartic for the Saval man in more ways than one.

Four years ago, when Down last took a summer jaunt to Ballybofey, Hughes missed a crucial free in a game his county lost by a single point but his latest visit was far more memorable.

Though Coulter was undoubtedly the spark that fired Down to the semi-final, Hughes chipped in with four points from play and it was his dispossession of Neil Gallagher in extra-time which set up the crucial goal.

“Maybe I should have got a few more. I’m always my own worst critic. I’m never pleased with my performance. It’s good to get a few points on the board. Playing at half-forward it’s nice to get on the scoreboard at all.”

None of it will count for much if their provincial ambitions peter out yet again later this month but, though they were far from formidable in their opening fixture, Down have reasons for cheer. Half a dozen players, including the inspirational Ambrose Rogers, sat out last weekend’s affair either through injury or suspensions and there is little doubt but that they possess individuals of genuine class.

Few performances – in any province – this summer have been as exceptional as that of Coulter’s. His 1-4 was just the tip of an all-round performance that coloured events on almost every line of the pitch.

“Benny’s Benny,” said Hughes of his captain. “He has a fantastic goals-per-game ratio. He’s one of the top players in Ireland and he’s a class player to play with. I’m privileged to play with him.”

And then there is Clarke.

The former Collingwood star hasn’t blown anyone away with his performances of late, either in Donegal or in the Division Two final against Armagh at Croke Park, but there are clear signs of a burgeoning talent waiting to explode.

His dual with Barry Dunnion two days ago was fascinating and, well as the Donegal defender did, he was unable to prevent the 22-year old forward from having his say.

He is coping admirably for a man playing his first season of senior football and Down manager James McCartan has already said that this year is chiefly about the An Riocht star re-acquainting himself with the game.

How he copes with the suffocating attentions of the Tyrone defence will tell us just how quickly he has adapted but, whatever the script this year, Hughes is adamant that Clarke’s long-term future is bright.

“Martin is a class footballer, it was great to see him in his first championship match. He thoroughly enjoyed it, I was talking to him afterwards on the field.

“He has a massive career ahead of him. I don’t know if I’ll have as long, I’m a wee bit older, but hopefully I’ll be with him for a few years.”