Peter Teague: 'I'm just trying my best to not let them down, and it's a great opportunity'

DIVISION ONE STATUS: Tyrone are clinging by a thread to their Division One status, but Peter Teague says they’ll take strength and belief from their first win since the opening day of the season.

Tyrone are clinging by a thread to their Division One status, but Peter Teague says they’ll take strength and belief from their first win since the opening day of the season.

Victory over Donegal at Letterkenny gives them a fighting chance, and as they head into the final round of the league, the Red Hands need to beat the Dubs and hope other results go their way.

“We're just delighted to get the two points and focus on our last game now, just to give us a chance,” said the Tyrone full-back.

“Donegal was a bit under-strength, but we still had to go and perform. Thankfully, we've got the two points and we can move on and focus for next week now.

“We knew we had to win, we kept it in our own hands. From that point of view, we're going in the right direction. The boys are putting in serious, serious work behind the scenes.

“We're only starting to get everyone back together now. We were hampered a bit with the Errigal men being away, such key players they are for us. We've still got big Paudie Hampsey to come back in, a real leader in this team.

“Hopefully, over the next coming weeks, moving into the Championship, we're only going to get better and better.

“Once we get more confident playing with each other, the boys just keep putting in that hard work, that graft, hopefully, it'll put us in good stead going into the Ulster Championship with Cavan.” 

Jim McGuinness rested the bulk of his first choice players, clearly not excited at the prospect of contesting a league final a week out form the Ulster Championship opener against Derry.

But he did take the opportunity to get much-needed game time into the legs of Michael Murphy, withdrawing his resurgent talisman five minutes from the end.

Teague was handed the task of curbing the three-time All-Star and All-Ireland winning captain, holding him to two points from play.

“I was given the task marking Murphy, that's what you want as a Gaelic footballer, and what a player he is. I was just delighted to keep him at bay as much as I possibly could.

“I know he still had a big enough influence on the game there, but as long as we got the win, that was the most important thing.

“You want to pit yourself against the best in the country. Whenever you're playing Division One football, inter-county football, there's no doubt about it, that's what you're going to be up against. That's what you play for, that's what you grew up wanting as a child.

“Watching Tyrone, wanting to play against those big boys to test yourself, to see what it's like and what you're made of.” 

New restrictions placed on attacking goalkeepers have somewhat eased the pressure on defenders, but the rule changes which have transformed the game mean the men at the back are more exposed and often short on protection.

“With that 11v11, especially with the keeper can't come up now, I know it makes it a wee bit easier, there's no overlap, but there's definitely more space.

“If you're up against a direct player, life can be difficult for you there. It's just about working as a unit defensively, a lot of communication. If you make one slip, they can get in behind for a goal.

“There's going to be lots of high scores in county football now, with the game 70 minutes long. You're going to do well to keep the top, top teams below that 20-point mark, where it was probably usually around 13-14.

“Donegal still scored 19 points, we did a lot of work defensively to keep it a little bit tighter, but there were no goals, so that was a bonus.” 

Dublin travel to Omagh this Sunday seeking the win that will almost certainly send them into the league final, but Tyrone must stop them to avoid the drop to Division Two.

“They're flying all cylinders at the moment. They're a really cohesive unit there, so that'll be no easy task next week,” said Teague.

“They'll be coming down, I'm sure, to Omagh next week to put on a show. We'll have to get ready for that now, just get recovered and focus on it.” 

Teague’s inter-county career has been disrupted by injury and study commitments, but he’s back for a third spell in the Tyrone squad, hoping to nail down a starting place for the championship.

“There was no doubt in my head whenever Malachy gave me the call, it was an easy decision. I was delighted to get the call back in.

“I was hampered with a bad injury there for a couple of years in my Achilles. I was glad I stepped away and got a good season or two with my club, put me in good stead. I'm just delighted to be back in, that Malachy and the lads have given me a chance.

“I'm just trying my best to not let them down, and it's a great opportunity. It's great any day you wear the Tyrone jersey, it's a great feeling.”