McConnell relishing unexpected chance to continue Croker odyssey

Pascal McConnell was convinced his love affair with Croke Park had come to an end. Having lost his place as Tyrone’s first choice goalkeeper, ‘Packie’ was a permanent fixture on the bench.

New kid on the block Niall Morgan was turning in sensational performances with his free-kicks and shot-stopping skills and forced Mickey Harte, for the first time in more than a decade, to dispense with his goalkeeper rotation policy.

But a knee injury ended Morgan’s season back in June, and propelled 33-year-old McConnell back into the first 15. But he admits just a few weeks ago he was on the verge of accepting his career was nearing its end.