COUNTY | Conor Feels Tyrone Will Do It

Saturday 08.08.2015

Club

Triple All Ireland winner Conor Gormley enjoyed plenty of success over the years against Monaghan in championship football and he is backing Mickey Harte’s current crop to get the better of the Ulster champions this Saturday afternoon.

Gormley was on the winning side against the Farney men in the Ulster finals of 2007 and 2010 while he also played a key role when Tyrone overcame their neighbours at Croke Park in 2005 and 2013 and he admits there is no substitute for playing.

“I real miss those big championship games, that’s where you want to be,” said Conor.

“You sort of forget about all the hard work that you have done earlier in the year as you don’t mind it when you are involved in big championship games like this but the time came for me to make a decision and I just want to wish the boys all the best for Saturday and I believe that they will come out with a win.”

It’s a case of déjà vu from 2013 with Monaghan going in as Ulster champions against a Tyrone side who have once again regrouped through the qualifiers. Conor believes it’s a massive opportunity for both sides, a revamped Tyrone outfit against a Monaghan side who are determined that a Provincial title will once again not just be their lot this season.

“Tyrone are on a good run at the moment with four qualifier wins on the trot and that will have built the confidence within the squad and I would say that they are really looking forward to Croke park this weekend against a very strong Monaghan side”, admits the three time All-star.

“I know that if I was playing myself in would be looking forward to it as it’s a great occasion for them and a big opportunity for the team I think. Tyrone are maybe looked upon as a work in progress so it’s up to Monaghan to step up and show what they are made of.

They beat us in the championship last season which was a big thing for them as a group to get over the hurdle and be the first side from Monaghan to beat Tyrone in the championship in so many years and to back that up with an Ulster title this year they will not be short of confidence.

They feel that they owe Tyrone one after what happened in the quarter final two years ago when we turned them over when they were Ulster champions as well so it’s a big game for both sides. Monaghan will be looking to push on and get to a semi-final and perhaps final as there a few boys perhaps coming to the end of their careers. Two years ago they were perhaps happy with an Ulster title but this time they will want to push on and win a major championship game at Croke Park.