Mickey Harte leaves media job to Sean Cavanagh

Mickey Harte wasn’t available for interview following yesterday’s defeat in Omagh, Tyrone’s sixth in their last 11 league and championship games at Healy Park.

Harte left the dressing room and made his way to the team bus, choosing not to speak to journalists.

Captain Sean Cavanagh faced the media instead and insisted his team is moving in the right direction despite a third game in a row without a win.

“We felt in the last three or four games, every man has put the shoulder to the wheel. It’s obviously the way we are playing, it’s a collective effort and we have drawn strength from that.

“Despite some of the external reports, we as a group feel we are creating plenty of scoring opportunities. Today we got a couple of goals and probably got a chance for some more. But last week it was a ball short, against Derry it was a few chances wide. But generally we are creating chances, but you have to give Cork credit. They are top of the league and you can see why with some of the scores they were hitting outside the 50.”

Cavanagh didn’t think Colm O’Neill’s last point was a disputed one and made light of Tyrone players querying the amount of injury time played.

“We obviously felt that but we’re going to say that and Cork are going to say the opposite. These things are out of our control. I think generally Marty Duffy didn’t do a bad job there today. There will always be a few disputed decisions but as a team we can’t get caught up in it.”

With both Tyrone and Donegal on four points, Cavanagh knows how important their clash will be in Ballybofey on Sunday week. “It’s away from home so I’d say we’ve probably a good chance to win!” he smiled.

“Obviously, it’s a big game and it has added significance with the championship just around the corner. It’s obviously set up for a big night in Ballybofey.

“We know Donegal have had the edge over us in the last few years and we as a group have to try and rectify that.”