O’Neill admits referee fears

Stephen O’Neill claims Tyrone have been cast as a “cynical, dirty team” and that referee Maurice Deegan could be influenced by such commentary this weekend.

The 2008 All-Ireland champions have been put under a disciplinary spotlight since overcoming Monaghan in the quarter-finals. Pundit Joe Brolly famously called into question Sean Cavanagh’s integrity as a player for preventing a goal at a crucial stage by hauling Conor McManus to the ground.

Martin Penrose was also dismissed in that game for striking a Monaghan player while defender Conor Gormley was hit with a retrospective one-match ban that was subsequently overturned.