Second chance to turn tide of history in Ulster

‘Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.’ Dwight D. Eisenhower

Tyrone and Down will both find comfort in their respective interpretations of the history of this particular fixture.

In the Marshes, the Mourne men have had the measure of the Red Hands throughout the modern era, coming out on top in every meeting since their last reversal in a league game back in 1983.

The most recent Páirc Esler clash, an epic Ulster championship replay in 2008, went to extra-time before Down turned over Mickey Harte’s side.

But Tyrone regrouped, and went on to win the All-Ireland.

Today’s is the third provincial replay between these counties during Harte’s 12-year reign.

On both previous occasions, the Red Hands finished the season with Sam Maguire on the steps of the Hogan Stand.

The Tyrone boss won’t be making any rash assumptions, nor will James McCartan dare to trust in the friendly hand of fate, however well it has served him in the past.

“History is telling us that playing and beating Down in Newry is going to be very difficult,” said Tyrone defender Mattie Donnelly.

“They haven’t had a championship game there for the past five years, so they’ll probably be relishing this chance. There has been a lot of talk about how Down are fancying themselves in Newry, even before the drawn game. We’ll be expecting a really tough game again.

“But hopefully the drawn game last Sunday will benefit us and alert everybody to Down’s strengths. We didn’t under-estimate them before last Sunday and are certainly not taking Saturday’s result for granted either.”

Donnelly said it is important the Red Hands do not allow themselves to be consumed by doubts and recriminations over their collapse at Healy Park, where they went from seven points ahead to two behind, before skipper Sean Cavanagh rescued them with two late conversions.

“We’d obviously have liked to have got a better result, especially considering that we were in a good position after the Darren McCurry goal. At this level, you’d realistically be expected to push for home.

“The fact that we didn’t manage to do that is hugely disappointing. Down got the momentum at the right time and it can be very difficult to stop a team. The fact that the draw was achieved is testament to the character displayed by the team and is definitely a positive.

“Sean’s two points were brilliant and there was no better man to step up and convert those frees.”

Down will be running high on confidence, thanks to their stunning comeback in Omagh last Sunday. They learned a valuable lesson, that by running at a vulnerable Tyrone defence, they can inflict serious damage.

McCartan will want to pick up the tempo of Down’s second-half display at Healy Park, and avoid a repeat of a ponderous and fearful approach to the opening 35 minutes. And his counterpart Harte will be equally concerned with the persistent problem that is his leaking defence.

An injection of experience into Tyrone’s back six is an almost inevitable option.

Given the impact made by Benny Coulter and Cavanagh last weekend, it will be no surprise if men of a certain age strike the defining blows tonight.