By Barry O'Donnell
THEY may be quoted as long as 33/1 in some quarters but the bookies could still take a beating if Tyrone can justify the bullish optimism of young defender PJ Quinn and give the All-Ireland a real crack in the autumn time.
The Red Hands provincial title aspirations were ended in breathtaking fashion at Pairc Esler in Newry on Saturday evening, hosts Down edging an epic first round replay 1-19 to 0-21 after extra-time to set up an Ulster semi-final confrontation with Armagh.
It was a result which leaves Mickey Harte's charges frustratingly kicking their heels on the sidelines until Saturday July 19 when the first round of the Qualifiers are scheduled to take place, and with a number of big hitters already resigned to the 'back-door' (Donegal, Monaghan and Meath for example), it's a route to glory rife with potential pit-falls.
Though desperately disappointed to relinquish their grip on the Anglo-Celt Cup, there could be no questioning Tyrone's aptitude nor character on the evening. The players gave it their all, though whether that's any longer sufficient to garner the sport's top prizes has to be now open to doubt.
Clearly the management and players bristle at any suggestion that the side have slipped markedly down the pecking order and in fairness Down's next outing against the seasoned Orchard men should provide a more reliable gauge of the Red Hands current standing.
Quinn, who enjoyed an excellent Championship debut in the corner before cramp set in, pours scorn on the notion that the 2008 campaign is now doomed to failure.
" It's a big setback but we'll just have to regroup and aim for the All-Ireland now, it's all we have left. Our hopes in Ulster are over now which is disappointing. I was called into the squad last year and there was some difference in the mood after we won the Ulster Final to what it was after the game in Newry. We don't want to experience this again for a while.
" We totally emptied the tank and gave our all which made the result that bit harder to take. But Tyrone being Tyrone we will pick up and go at it again even harder. We are not going to let this setback knock us off track for the whole year.
" There's been a lot of people running us down all year and we've taken a lot of stick from the media but hopefully now after the replay no-one can question our hunger and character. There was no lack of heart nor lack of pride in the jersey which has been questioned by people outside the fence. In my opinion it had never gone in the first place but this match with Down underlined that even in defeat."
Tyrone fought back valiantly to secure extra-time at the weekend, four late points from ice-cool super sub Tommy McGuigan sending the match into additional time. They then steamrollered ahead by four points but just when it looked like Down's resistance had finally wilted, Benny Coulter's fisted goal brought about another incredible twist. Quinn felt that neither side could really have complained if another instalment had been required to separate them.
"It was a real test of character. Tommy came on and showed his experience and class by knocking over those four late frees to get us back level. It helped pull us out of the bag.
" We were able to push on again in extra-time but after last week's game we knew it would be tight again and a real roller-coaster to the end. I suppose a draw and a third game would have been the fairest outcome but it wasn't to be. Full credit to Down, they've waited a long time for a result like this."
The 22-year old Moortown player produced an accomplished and disciplined performance against a much-vaunted Mourne attack,
While naturally distraught at the outcome, he was reasonably pleased with his own contribution.
" They were both tricky, particularly McCumiskey. I marked him a few years ago at underage level so I knew he would be dangerous. I was happy enough with how I fared. At this level you know you're always going to be up against quality forwards and if you want to keep your place in this team you have to learn to deal with them."
Meanwhile a relieved Down captain Dan Gordon praised his own side's battling instincts as they once more overcame a considerable deficit (four points in arrears during extra-time) to dig out a famous victory.
" We gave them a head start, well we gave them two or three head starts and we still came back. This team is full of belief, they worked hard and I thought we deserved the victory.
" They were four points clear in extra-time, they were seven point clear in Omagh and we still came back. They were a great side and we knew that and we knew we'd have to work hard.
" We felt that it should have been our game at full-time but we regrouped came out and the fact that we started poorly - but as we did in Omagh - we fought back and fought our way back into the game. It shows you the character of the squad.
"We haven't been training all year, to be beaten in the Ulster Championship as we have in the last couple of years; things have changed and hopefully we're onto winning ways."
