Dublin demolition sparked Red Hand doubts, says Cavanagh

SEÁN CAVANAGH has admitted that he questioned if the all-conquering Tyrone team had reached ‘the end of the road’ after being demolished by Dublin in April.

The old rivals will contest their fourth All-Ireland quarter-final in five years on Saturday and while Tyrone progressed on both previous occasions to eventually win the Sam Maguire, their more recent Allianz NFL meeting clouds the background to this latest tie in Cavanagh’s mind.

He was left wincing in near disillusion as Dublin effectively won the final-round game by half-time when they held a nine-points lead thanks to a rock-solid rearguard display and the majesty of the Brogan brothers and Kevin McManamon up front.