Sparky says the fire still burns in Tyrone

Mark Donnelly is convinced Tyrone still have the firepower to beat Armagh despite losing some key forwards.

The devastating loss of Sean Cavanagh last week, coming so soon after Kyle Coney, Tommy McGuigan and Ronan O’Neill were ruled out for the season, means there is added responsibility on the remaining forwards to make an impact in tomorrow's Ulster SFC showdown at the Athletic Grounds.

“It was bad news losing Sean on top of the big injury blows we had already suffered, but we have to be positive,’’ said Donnelly. “We still have plenty of experience in Mugsy (Owen Mulligan), Stevie (O’Neill) and Marty (Penrose) and those three I have named are all score-getters too. We used 34 players in the league so everyone got a bit of experience and some boys are going to get a chance to go in there and prove themselves. I still think we can get enough scores to win the game.’’

The on-off comeback of Brian McGuigan has been a big talking point in the build-up to this Ulster quarter-final. Donnelly is the man who has inherited his number 11jersey and while he may not have the vision and passing range of McGuigan, he has brought his own skills set to the party.

The Carrickmore man’s nickname ‘Sparky’ is welljustified. His ball carrying ability, darting runs, his pace and movement have marked him out as a potent threat. The 28-year-old didn’t come through Tyrone’s famedunderage system but hisinfluence on the team is growing after establishing himself as a regular starter last year. He served the 2010 season as an apprentice, but got a chance in the league last year against Kildare and hasn’t looked back since. He played every single minute ofTyrone’s championshipseason last year.

“The first year I spent the whole time on the bench but since the second last match of the league last year, I have started every game. I definitely feel more confident in the team this year. I am really enjoying my football. Last year you were always thinking you hadn’t been herebefore and you’re doubting yourself and whether you’re able to play at this level. This year I have got on well and I have kept my place. ’’

A few months ago it looked a certainty that Tyrone would beat Armagh. Now it’s not so clear cut. Tyrone’s division two league final defeat toKildare raised more questions than answers about a Red Hands team in transition mode. But Donnelly reckons it’s no bad thing that the team had their colours lowered by Kildare last time out.

“We had won 12 out of 12 up to that point and every game we played, the tag was put on us about being unbeaten. If we had won, it would have been difficult to come down from that high. There would have been a lot of talk about Tyrone, but we didn’t perform that day. We did go out to win that game but maybe it was no bad thing that we didn’t.’’

Tyrone have played twice at the Athletic Grounds already this season, in the McKenna Cup semi-final and final back in January against Fermanagh and Derry respectively. Donnelly added: “Armagh won’t want Tyrone coming to their back yard and beating them so it will take a big performance from the boys.”