Tyrone hoping for third time lucky

Like Kerry, three will be a magic number for Tyrone today should they claim victory in the 122nd All-Ireland Senior Football final today.

Among the 12 Tyrone players chasing a third medal, following successes in 2003 and 2005 is Philip Jordan who is delighted that Tyrone have a fully fit side to choose from today.

"It's a big boost to the team to have a fully fit squad to choose from. In the past few years we have struggled with injuries," Jordan said.

"But with our performance in the last few years, despite the players being missing we still haven't been good enough – and that has been a disappointing aspect for us. Certainly we are happy with the fitness of the squad at present."

The Moy accountant has also praised team trainer Fergal McCann for his fitness work in ensuring the players are in precision condition for today's game.

"I think a lot of credit has to go to Fergal McCann our trainer. He has done fabulous work with us this year and I don't think that I have been involved with as fit a Tyrone team. He certainly has to take a lot of praise for that."

Jordan believes that the defining time-span to date for his side this year were qualifier victories over Louth, Westmeath and Mayo.

"Probably the three matches in 15 days was key for us – we managed to get through them. Then obviously the Dublin game was a big game for us and it was probably the best draw we could have got. We came through that test as well and I think to win that match and to win it so convincingly was a big confidence boost for our squad."

Getting the supporters back behind the team was also crucial in this success according to the Moy native.

"Supporters were hard hitting as well but we were probably more critical of ourselves than any of the supporters had been. We knew we had let ourselves down as well in those two matches (against Down). We had played 15 minutes of football in each game and if we had played a half an hour it would have been enough to win those two games.

Philip was part of Tyrone minor, U-21 and Senior teams alongside the late Cormac McAnallen. Cormac's mother Bridget is right behind her county's quest for victory today.

"Cormac was part of that team bond," she said.

Today's occasion is understandably tinged with sadness for Bridget and her family as she recalls that he "would more than likely have been playing".

"I don't see them as much as I used to but that's only to be expected," she said.

"I would like to think Cormac will be looking down on them. If they win it will be the icing on the cake - it will be the biggest achievement of all."