Tyrone's captain Damien O'Hagan - an inspirational figure writes Francis Mooney The enduring magic of the Ulster Football Championship has never loomed so large for Damien O'Hagan. A veteran of nearly a dozen northern campaigns and holder of three Ulster medals, the tireless Tyrone attacker goes into next Sunday's first round clash with Derry tugging tightly at the threads of a lifelong ambition. The mission that has spurred him like no other is a burning desire to step forward proudly on Ulster Final day as the Anglo Celt Cup is about to be consigned to the custody of its ephemeral minder for another twelve months. At 29, O'Hagan has been made captain of the Tyrone team for the first time, a long overdue appointment for an inspirational figure whose qualities of leadership have helped Tyrone through many troubled times. The sheer unpredictability of the Ulster title races throws up a multitude of possibilities, but a Tyrone success in 1991 would surely be a popular outcome for the sake of the new leader of the Red Hand pack. As the omens are good as John Donnelly's men put the finishing touches to their preparations for this week's eagerly awaited contest between the age-old rivals in red and white at Omagh. O'Hagan has returned to his favourite centre half forward spot after a spell at full forward, and is almost certain to be on the 40 on Sunday. Football fans throughout Ireland will recall that it was in the Number 11 shirt that O'Hagan terrorised defences week after week in 1984 and again in 1989 as Tyrone marched merrily to Croke Park as Ulster champions. His remarkable accuracy and uncanny composure under pressure made hie one of the most feared attackers in the game, and it was no surprise when he won an All Star award in 1986. His performance in the All-Ireland final against Kerry, when he moved to centre half forward was probably already an automatic selection. But the past glories count for nothing as each new championship series gets underway, and O'Hagan is in no doubt as to the enormity of the task facing his side. "It would be great to captain an Ulster Championship winning team, and I think we have the team that can do it this year," said the Tyrone skipper. "We have quite a young team, so obviously speed and fitness will be a very important part of our game, but the young players who have come into the side are also talented, and some of them are certain to become very big names in the near future." But there is nevertheless an ideal balance of youth and experience in this maturing side, according to O'Hagan. "Kevin McCabe is back, and there are a few other hands, including myself, such as John Lynch, Plunkett Donaghey and Harry McClure, so the steadying influence is spread throughout the team." Derry's first round challenge will provide a stiff test for the Tyrone temperament, a temperament which was starkly called into question following the National Football League quarter final defeat by Roscommon, when the Ulster men shot an incredible 19 wides. But the experienced O'Hagan and McCabe were absent on that day when the Tyrone ship was cast adrift without a rudder. "Perhaps we just didn't have enough leadership up front to win the game," said O'Hagan. "But I feel we have addressed many of the problems which contributed to our downfall in the National League, and we won't make the same mistakes when we meet Derry in the championship. "We are rated as favourites, and that puts a lot of pressure on us to do well. I would prefer to think of Derry as favourites." The memory of last year's first round defeat by Armagh has not quite faded, and the disappointment created by a disallowed goal late in the game should act as a spur to a Tyrone team hungry again for success. "We are certainly a good enough team to win the Ulster title, otherwise we would not be putting so much work into our preparations," said O'Hagan. "We have come through the National League with a number of very good performances which won us promotion to Division One, and confidence is high despite the set-back against Armagh. "Last year we had no luck in the first round against Armagh, with Ray Munroe's goal being disallowed but we hope to make up for that this season." The Coalisland clubman is now back to full fitness after having his jaw broken in a National League game against Derry in February. The injury forced him to sit out the latter part of the league campaign, and in fact he only returned for his first full game last week. That was in the McKenna Cup semi-final against Antrim, and he showed that he had lost none of his old guile and sharpness by shooting five superb first half points. The broken jaw has in fact helped him to get back to peak condition, enabling him to shed a few pounds to reach his optimum weight of thirteen stone. "I had my jaw wired up for several weeks, with the result that I could not eat solids. I lost a lot of weight, but I never stopped training, so the injury actually helped me get into shape." Should they hit true form on Sunday, then Tyrone's potentially lethal forward division could do the rest. Meanwhile minor manager Mickey Harte is paying the price of success. The first ever McRory Cup win by St. Patrick's Academy, Dungannon robbed him of the services of some of the county's best young players until just three weeks ago. None of the St. Pat's players were able to join the county minor panel due to their Hogan Cup commitments, with the result that tyrone had to play their entire league programme with a seriously weakened side. Harte has consequently had to try to conjure up a three week miracle with a new-look squad, and if his young lions can defeat Derry in Sunday's curtain-raiser then he will truly he hailed as a Messiah. And he relishes the prospect of meeting Derry before a fanatical home following in Omagh. "We are all looking forward to the game. Derry-Tyrone games are always very competitive and normally very close. I don't expect this one to be any different but I do think we will win." But he accepts, for the senior game, that Derry's explosive attacking force of Dermot McNicholl, Damien Cassidy and Enda Gormley will have to be defused. "They are always the danger up front, and Brian McGilligan at midfield is always an obstacle. It's very important that we get a good share of possession at midfield, and if we can supply that to the forward line we have the attackers who can take the scores. "Peter Canavan and Adrian Cush have been outstanding this season, and their ability to beat defenders and take scores has been unbelievable. "But their biggest test has yet to come. They have done it in the National League, in the Under 21 Championship and in the Railway Cup, but not yet in the championship. "The championship is the real tester. Ulster Championship football is totally different. There is so much at stake, and very often it is not the best footballing team which comes out on top, but the team with the most determination and grit. However, I feel these young players have the temperament and skill to do a good job for us." They are both members of the successful Under 21 side, which over the past two years has provided Tyrone with a rich crop of new talent. Others to graduate from the Under 21 grade are Paul Devlin and Aidan Morris, with Adrian Kilpatrick, Danny Barr and Fay Devlin waiting in the wings, and a few more young stars undoubtedly in line for the inevitable call-up. Tyrone's experience will, however, be more important than youthful exuberance in the cauldron that is championship football. And the presence of John Lynch, Adrian Kilpatrick and Ray Munroe in a solid defence will be vital. The long standing midfield partnership of Plunkett Donaghy and Harry McClure has stood the test of time handsomely, and a huge responsibility rests on their broad shoulders. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 17 May 1991 Tweet

Most Read Stories