Brian McGuigan says fun is gone from the game

Tyrone legend Brian McGuigan has hailed the present team’s remarkable athleticism but claimed they’ve sacrificed much of the joy that used to be associated with the game.

McGuigan, a three-time All-Ireland medalist in the mid-2000s, revealed that he used to enjoy a Chinese take-away the night before games and often a pint afterwards but said the present players adhere to strict dietary protocols.

Their dedication is paying off because Tyrone are unbeaten so far this year and hot tips to overcome Cavan this Sunday and return to a first Ulster final since 2010.

“I was at an event last Saturday night and there were five or six of the current Tyrone players at it and even what they’re eating and drinking at these events is different,” said McGuigan. “It’s as if football is everything.”

He explained: “They were just sipping away at the water and maybe had their own water bottles with them. Whenever the food was set out on the table they weren’t eating it, they must have had their prep food with them or already eaten.

“I was actually talking to Sean Cavanagh one day and one thing we always prided ourselves on was that after we played matches we always liked to go for a drink, after a good Championship match, and Sean says that doesn’t happen now.

“It’s back to recovery and into the pool session and away home. Like, there’s no spirit at all. Even on the bus, we always would have had great craic but now everyone has their headphones on and there’s no talking or communicating at all.

“So I think the fun has gone out of it but if you want to keep up with the best, I suppose that’s what you have to.

“There’d certainly be no Chinese food on a Saturday night, or pizzas. I always would have loved getting a carry-out the Saturday night before a match. I just can’t see it anymore.

“It’s just something I would have done. But you look at the likes of Mattie Donnelly now, he’s just a pure machine. He eats, sleeps, breathes football.”

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