Strength in depth pleases Cavanagh

Seán Cavanagh believes Tyrone is one of the few counties that can challenge Dublin’s strength in depth.

The All-Ireland champions are hot favourites to retain their crown, chiefly due to the vast resources of talent in their set-up.

But the Red Hand skipper insists his side will not be found wanting when extra manpower is required in times of need. Seasoned campaigners Justin McMahon, Conor Gormley and Stephen O’Neill were back in action to help them get over a preliminary round hurdle against Down at Páirc Esler at the weekend, and Cavanagh feels the squad is growing stronger week by week.

“We know that we have a strong panel, we know ourselves in the training games that we play, we know we have one of the stronger panels in Ireland,” he said. “And when the game was in the offing in the second half we were able to pull a few of those guys off the bench, and see the game out.

“We know from Dublin last year that you need a strong panel, and whenever you can use those for two games in six days, it’s really a big plus.”

With two championship games under their belt, Tyrone will take some momentum into their quarter-final clash with Monaghan on June 15. And Cavanagh feels that nothing can prepare a team for championship football like championship football.

“You find out more about yourself whenever you play these championship games, and you find out more about your squad. We’re going to need all that talent against Monaghan.”