Two years ago, Tyrone rained on Monaghan's Ulster winning parade and Mickey Harte's men will be hoping history repeats itself in Croke Park today.

Malachy O'Rourke and the Farney County arrived in GAA headquarters at the quarter-final stage in 2013 on a high following a first provincial success in twenty-five years but a 0-12 to 0-14 defeat to the Red Hands brought them back down to earth.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge in the past 24 months, however, and, following last year's 1-12 to 0-14 Ulster SFC quarter-final victory over their neighbours, Monaghan will travel to GAA headquarters as favourites to progress to a semi-final date against Kerry.

"It is going to be a big challenge for us, because let's face it, Tyrone have built up momentum now in the qualifiers with four victories so far and they have a great record in the qualifiers," Monaghan boss O'Rourke commented.

"There is no doubt too, they will relish this challenge in playing Monaghan again in Croke Park and they are a team now that has a lot of good young players coming in and they have brought a lot to the Tyrone team as well, so it's going to be a big challenge for us, but we are delighted to be there."

As expected, O'Rourke and his selectors have stuck with the same 15 that started the Ulster SFC final victory over Donegal and captain Conor McManus is the man that Tyrone have to watch - remember Sean Cavanagh's "rugby tackle" on the Clontibret ace in 2013?!

Cathal McCarron has been recalled to the Red Hands line-up, having missed last weekend's qualifier win over Sligo due to his brother's wedding, and it is anticipated that he will be handed the considerable task of trying to curb McManus' influence.

Otherwise, it's as you were for Tyrone who have built up a head of steam through the qualifier system.

"They're a formidable outfit and a huge challenge for us," defender Ronan McNabb remarked. "Against Donegal they showed that when their game-plan worked to a tee. They produced a good performance and probably frustrated Donegal.

"They are a quality side, we know that, but in the quarter-finals you don't expect anything else, as we were always going to meet a provincial champion. We know they are going to be a massive challenge."

Verdict - Monaghan.

Monaghan team: R Beggan; V Corey, C Walshe, D Mone; R Wylie, N McAdam,  K O'Connell; F Kelly, O Lennon; D Hughes, D Malone, K Duffy; C McManus, K Hughes, O Duffy.

Tyrone team: N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron; R McNabb, Joe McMahon, P Harte; C Cavanagh,  M Donnelly; T McCann, M Bradley, C Meyler; D McCurry, S Cavanagh, C McAliskey.

Match details: Saturday; Croke Park; 4pm.

Referee: Martin Duffy.

Odds: Monaghan 4/5; Draw 7/1; Tyrone 6/4.

Tweet

Most Read Stories