Tyrone build U20 All-Ireland football hat-trick bid around stingy defence

HERE WE GO, THREE IN A ROW?: Tyrone players Michael McNamee, left, and Ronan O’Sullivan celebrate. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.

A defensive unit built on trust has proved to be the bedrock of Tyrone’s march to another All-Ireland U20 football final on Saturday against Kerry.

Communication, organisation and strength of character have served the Red Hands well on their journey to the brink of a third successive title.

“The most important thing is that we trust each other, we trust the call from behind you, I have full faith in the men around, and I’d say that’s the same with all of us,” said Michael McNamee, whose warrior displays at corner back have been outstanding.

“We have a unit of eleven, plus Oisin in nets, we know what we’re doing, everybody has got a job and we just stick to it. Whenever you have that trust in each other, that’s where that unit comes out of.”

It’s not just about closing down opponents and keeping things tight at the back, there’s also an offensive aspect to the system.

“Defence is you base. You have to be solid, it gives you a platform to attack and probably allows you to go an attack with a bit more freedom, knowing that you have that structure behind us.

“And then the forwards go and they take care of the business, they’re very clinical, and they get us over the line with some big scores.” 

The stats tell the story of Tyrone’s resilience, with a string of clean sheets at the heart of a defiant run through the knock-out phase of the series.

“Thankfully we have been going well, we have kept clean sheets four games in a row, which is the main thing for us in the full back line.

“It’s all about working together, and that’s what’s getting us over the line, or giving us the platform to win the game.” 

 At the heart of it all is centre back and captain Conor Devlin, an inspirational leader on the trail of a third All-Ireland U20 medal. Once again in the semi-final win over Kildare, he stood tall at clutch moments and made all the right calls and interventions.

“We saw it, midway through the second half, they turned us over, they were through and then Conor comes up with a big hit, the ball knocks free, we turn it over and go up the pitch again.

“That’s the type of moments he brings to this team, it’s the leadership he brings, and that’s what we feed off, getting big turnovers in tough moments and carrying the ball out.

“We’re all backing each other up – Aodhan, Brian, Luke, Sean, they’re all brilliant and we come up with big moments together. “ McNamee insisted that the holders will handle the pressure that comes with the defence of an All-Ireland title.

“We’ll not be going in thinking we’re favourites or anything like that. We’re well aware of the challenge that Kerry will bring.” 

Fifteen members of last year’s squad remain involved, but five newcomers, including Loughmacrory’s McNamee, have broken in to the starting team.

“This is a new team to last year, a lot of new faces in the starting line-up, its’ new for a lot of us and we want to take that on.

“A few boys have been there last year and they’re using that experience to help us. It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait for it.