BY GEOFFREY GILLIS
TYRONE'S Hurlers head West on Saturday afternoon to tackle Sligo in a very interesting Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-final meeting, at Markievicz Park, and manager Kevin McNaughton is relishing the challenge.
An opening round victory over Donegal sealed their place in the last eight for the second year running, but their progress was in doubt following Brendan Sweeney's final whistle, at Clones on Saturday where Donegal faced Monaghan.
Confusion reigned as the Cavan official had indicated Donegal had won by a point. That would have given Eamon Campbell's men the runners up spot in the group behind Monaghan, and ended Tyrone's participation on scoring averages.
However, following an objection from Monaghan, they were declared winners earning Tyrone a reprieve, and McNaughton is determined to grasp the opportuinity.
"It's a very favourable draw for us because we have avoided the stronger teams such as Fingal and South Down, but there are no easy touches in this competition. We are at the All-Ireland quarter-final stages, and there are going to be no easy games.
" I'm expecting it to be a very tough game between two evenly matched teams. Both teams will be very confident about progressing to the semi-finals," he remarked.
During the group stages Tyrone produced some decent hurling, but their lack of discipline put them under serious pressure. It contributed to their defeat against Monaghan, and McNaughton believes that if Tyrone are to mount a successful challenge then they will have to reduce the number of frees they are conceding.
"I honestly believe that Tyrone can beat any team remaining in this competition, but to succeed we have to cut down on the number of frees we are conceding. They are killing us in games.
" We talked about it at half time during the Monaghan game, and during the week at training we plan to work on aspects of our discipline. We are pushing, pulling and dragging players when its easier to shadow them" he quipped.
Tyrone enter Saturday's game having already lowered the colours of Sligo in the National League, but Kevin is adamant that result will have no bearing this weekend.
"The league game will have no impact on Saturday. Its a new game, a new day and both teams will be determined to make it into the semi finals. Its an opportunity to get playing in Croke Park. It's a big incentive for everyone, and it should make for a very good game"
With their destiny out of their own hands Tyrone took the week off following their defeat to Monaghan to wait on the result of the final group game. Their season is still alive, but not for the first time this term preparations have been hampered.
"We are still without Justin Kelly, while Terry McIntosh is unlikely to play with his knee giving bother. Stephen Donnelly is on holidays, but on the positive side Michael Kelly is back from injury, while Kevin Connolly has joined the panel to provide goalkeeping cover. We don't want to tinker too much with the team although Stephen's absence means that we will have new a centre half back on Saturday. John Kerr is also available and his experience is a boost for us" claimed the Antrim native.
Sligo endured a torturous National League campaign that resulted in the departure of manager Frank Burke, but they have regrouped under the guidance of Mickey Galvin.
They won Group 9 with impressive victories over Cavan and Warwickshire and with Keith Raymond, Paul Seevers, Aidan Walsh and Joe Bannerton in their ranks they will cause Tyrone problems.
Tyrone with Leigh Moore, Noel Hurson, David Lavery Conor Gallagher and Cormac McHugh on board have the ability to reach the semi finals, but with home advantage Sligo will have other ideas.
