Jordan thrilled that Red Hands are back in decider

Philip Jordan, one of that group of players – a defender with an attacking mindset.

Last Sunday it came to the fore once again as the Tyrone left-half-back scored two points inside the opening 11 minutes, added another in the second half – and finished on a winning side as Tyrone booked a place in their third All-Ireland SFC Final this decade, following a 0-23 to 1-14 victory over Wexford at Croke Park.

Jordan wasn't surprised to see an all-round team effort, which earned the Red Hands an All-Ireland spot against Kerry – with nine players on the score-sheet including three defenders – the Moy man revealed that manager Mickey Harte likes his side to play an open brand of football without positional barriers.

"The way we play it, everyone is entitled to go forward," the twice All-Star enthused.

"Mickey doesn't stop anyone from going forward as long as there are men covering back. I got a couple of scores and Ryan (McMenamin) and Davy (Harte) got points as well. It shows what the team is about – positions don't count, everyone plays football and that's what we're all about."

It's a burning desire for any player to reach an All-Ireland Senior football final – Jordan will contest his third showpiece final on September 21, and finds it hard to grasp that his side are bridging a three-year gap since they last contested the decider.

"It's only been three years but it feels an awful lot longer," he said.

Injuries have taken their toll in previous campaigns, but not as much this year.

"We've had a few problems with injuries and that. People said that when we lost Stevie (O'Neill) and Peter (Canavan), and even Chris Lawn, that we weren't capable of getting back here. I think this is the most satisfying All-Ireland final to get to."

However, the loss to Down following a replay in Newry earlier this Summer in the Ulster Championship left many questions to be answered.

He added: "We've obviously been through a lot of problems. After Down beat us, I don't think any of us honestly would have said that we'd be back here in an All-Ireland final."

A six-point victory over Wexford last Sunday was nicely carved out but Jordan is aware that Tyrone will have to up their game against a Kerry side who will welcome both Darragh Ó Sé and Paul Galvin to action from suspension, and will be more determined to right their wrongs of the 2008 Championship, having already lost the Munster final to Cork.

"Kerry will be tough and we won't get away with the lapses of concentration that we showed (against Wexford). Having beaten Kerry before, they'll probably have more motivation and be out to prove a point."

"They're deserving champions and we'll be up against it. I didn't get to see any of their game; Mickey turned off the TV in the changing rooms. But I'm sure over the next few weeks, we'll get plenty viewing of it."

But defeat isn't on Jordan's mind.

"There is no point in getting ourselves back into the final and getting beat. Thankfully we've produced the two times we have been there but that will count for nothing if we don't produce it again in three weeks time," he said.

"There were lapses in concentration (against Wexford) and I am sure Kerry will be much tougher the next time and we will not be able to afford those lapses but it is something for us to work on for the next day."