Mulligan: fans can be Tyrone's 16th man

July 20, 2018

Cousin's Jack O'Shaughnessy and Gero Gilmartin before the All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash between Dublin and Tyrone at Croke Park in 2017.
©INPHO/James Crombie.

Owen Mulligan is calling on Tyrone supporters to turn Healy Park into a cauldron for the visit of All-Ireland champions Dublin tomorrow evening.

With last year's humiliating All-Ireland semi-final loss to the Dubs still fresh in their minds, the Red Hands are desperate for revenge and there are even reports that they have narrowed the width of the pitch in a bid to give themselves an advantage.

"We are entitled to get carried away and think 'it's coming home', but we have to keep our feet on the ground," former Tyrone star Mulligan told Paddy Power News.

"Tyrone have played only one Division 1 team in this year's championship. The rest have been lower league teams. When the Dubs come to town it will show if Tyrone are title contenders or another season of empty promises.

"But they are peaking at the right time. Mickey Harte has given some of his squad players valuable game time. This will be key when they take on the Dubs and Donegal.

"Tyrone have been crying out for a target man like Richard Donnelly for so many seasons and he is going to be key for Tyrone at the edge of the square if they are going to qualify. He'll be relishing the chance to take on the big guns and test himself.

"For me I've seen enough of Tyrone that tells me that they can come out of this group and qualify. 

"Mickey Harte will love this latest challenge and the players will feel that they let themselves down last year. It would have hit them hard.

"But this is 2018 and a chance to put things right. Tyrone have a massive chance on Saturday night to cement the status of All-Ireland challengers this year. And no bigger game to do it in.

"The Tyrone supporters will play a massive part. It needs to be hostile, intimidating and uncomfortable for the All-Ireland champions. I've experienced first-hand how the Tyrone supporters can be the 16th man when the game is in the melting pot. I think Tyrone will do this on Saturday night."

Follow the hoganstand.com live match tracker this weekend for minute-by-minute coverage of the All-Ireland SFC Super 8 phase 2 games.


Most Read Stories