Michael O’Neill: Working as a plasterer, pelvic bone trouble and Tyrone’s 2024

O’Neill turned up in Garvaghey at the start of pre-season eager to get back at it and found a host of men feeling similar. 

WE GO AGAIN: Michael O'Neill of Tyrone is tackled by Adrian Spillane of Kerry during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Tyrone’s bolt to the 2021 All-Ireland title came like a runaway train. It was a dashing raid through the three prior Ulster champions, Kerry and finally Mayo in Croke Park that few saw coming. The same is true for what happened next. They, and Michael O’Neill, derailed.

In O’Neill’s mind what happened to Tyrone was a simple case of inconsistency. They played well in parts but couldn’t string performances together. His predicament is more complicated. It started as a pain at the top of his hamstring. He fought to run through it until doctors ordered an MRI.