Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
Tyrone’s flying forward, Stephen O'Neill has played a huge part in getting the
Red Hand county to this year's All-Ireland football final. He is the championship's
top scorer, having notched up an unbelievable 5-46 in the nine games Tyrone
have played so far. Defences all over the country dread the sight of the former
All-Star, as the Clann na nGael club man can score with both feet and has
booted three penalties into his favourite spot, the bottom right corner, in this
year's Championship.
The ‘Red Hand’ county have been involved in some great matches this year, including a trilogy of thrillers against Armagh and the unforgettable drawn game against Dublin in Croke Park that had the nation talking. O'Neill says that it’s all history now and they will have to concentrate on the All-Ireland showdown against defending champions Kerry.
How does it feel to be back in an All-Ireland final?
It feels great, the whole county is getting behind us and there is a great buzz around, but we have to knuckle down and work hard if we are to beat The Kingdom.
What was the toughest match of the campaign?
Every game is pretty intense, but the Armagh matches were very physical, very fast and very tough. Even though they beat us in the Ulster final, we were delighted to win the semi-final. When Peter Canavan put over the free in injury-time, I was worried that Armagh might go down the other end and score again. When the referee blew the whistle it was just a feeling of relief.
Who are your toughest opponents?
Definitely Armagh, with defenders like Francie Bellew. We play Armagh so often that they know our style of play really well
by now.
The final will be Tyrone’s 10th Championship match in 2005. How do you
keep fresh?
Well, there are 3 weeks between the semi-final and the final, so that is a good break. People say we have had the harder route to the final, but Kerry beat some difficult teams along the way too and earned their place.
Tyrone beat Kerry in 2003 on the way to the county’s first ever
All-Ireland title. Do you think that will have a bearing on the final?
I don't think Kerry will use 2003 as a motivation, this is a new game and it's an All-Ireland final, that is motivation enough.
How do you rate your chances against the defending champions?
The Kerry defence are very tough; it will be difficult to get scores off them in the final. People always talk about their attack, but their defence deserves a huge amount of credit as well. It all depends on how it goes on the day, it's a 50/50 match. Obviously, I hope we can win!
You take the penalties for Tyrone - To which side will you strike the ball if you are awarded a peno in the final?
I can't be telling anyone, that would give it away!
Who were your heroes when you were growing up?
Peter Canavan was everyone's hero in Tyrone when I was a kid. I also admired Brian Dooher, who plays for my club, and outside the county, it would have been Kerry's Maurice Fitzgerald.
What advice would you have for young players?
Just practice all the time and develop your skills using both feet. |
