Tyrone dedicate win to McAnallen
The late footballer Cormac McAnallen was at the heart of Tyrone thoughts tonight as the county celebrated a thrilling All-Ireland final victory over Kerry.
The 24-year-old had played a key role in Tyrone’s first ever All-Ireland title in 2003 but died tragically last year due to a rare heart condition.
In his victory speech, Tyrone captain Brian Dooher said the man who should be receiving the cup was Cormac McAnallen.
“Two months before Cormac was taken away from us, he told us bunch of players that he didn’t want to be part of a Tyrone team that had only won one All Ireland. Well Cormac, you now have two,” he said.
“You are and you always will be always be part of this team.”
Dooher was graciously introduced by GAA president Sean Kelly, a Kerryman, as ‘Mr Perpetual Motion’ and his team’s relentless work-rate and drive overpowered a highly fancied Kerry team on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-10.
The 82,000-capacity Croke Park was packed to capacity and Tyrone fans, all decked in the county’s red and white colours, invaded the pitch to celebrate their team’s victory.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte made astute use of his team’s most famous player, Peter Canavan, by substituting him at half time and then bringing him on again later in the second half.
The 34-year-old more than justified his title of Peter the Great with a well taken goal before half time and a crucial point in the second half.
“Well Peter Canavan’s a special player, he’s 34 years of age, for 70 minutes he just can’t handle that kind of pace but he can certainly handle 50 of it and he did today,” said Harte, who broke down in tears when he spoke about Cormac McAnallen.
