GAA: GAVIN CUMMISKEYon how the presence of a formidable bench of proven All-Ireland medal winners gives Tyrone options few rivals can match

A REMARKABLE 12 players from the 2003 All-Ireland-winning Tyrone panel remain an integral part of Mickey Harte’s plans for this evening. Seven of them start against Roscommon in the fourth round qualifier while Brian Dooher, Enda McGinley and Owen Mulligan could well bring the number of All-Ireland medals up to 30 in the second half.

Former footballer of the year Stephen O’Neill proved against Monaghan earlier this summer that if his hamstring problem clears up he will also be a valued piece in the Tyrone jigsaw.

Harte has made impressive use of veteran footballers in the past; most famously, the role played by an unfit Peter Canavan in the 2003 and 2005 All-Ireland finals.

Canavan started the ’03 final against Armagh only to be replaced by O’Neill at half-time. He was then dramatically reintroduced for Ger Cavlan on 64 minutes.

Harte repeated the trick against Kerry in the ’05 decider, springing Collie Holmes after the interval and then sending Canavan back into the fray, for McGinley, with 15 minutes remaining to close out the show.

Dooher, who will be 36 next month, may well be used in a similar role over the coming weeks. Still considered crucial to the cause, the idea is to have him involved when it really matters.

“It was going to have to happen because Brian Dooher can’t go on forever,” said Canavan this week.

Canavan, the ’03 captain, seems supportive of Harte’s conservative attempts to replace the greatest crop of footballers to ever play for Tyrone.

“Mickey has serious options. These younger men have to be blooded and it’s better that they are blooded in twos and threes rather than just bringing in seven or eight lads at the one time. A lot of the younger boys are going to have to be patient as well.

“We’d like to think we are starting to get the right blend but again you’ll only know that when you play against one of the top five or six teams and, with the exception of Donegal, the teams we have beaten wouldn’t be in the top 10.”

Of course, they didn’t beat Donegal. Roscommon would arguably be considered a top-10 county. But win today and Dublin are waiting seven days later.

And Dublin are a county they love to beat at this juncture, as the ’05 and ’08 sides proved en route to All-Ireland success. But the challenge for Harte now is integration coupled with the ruthless removal of the old guard.

Clearly, he still believes Dooher, McGinley and even Mulligan have roles to play as they were all allowed return to the fold at unusual moments this year.

Interestingly, just like in 2008, Harte has used the qualifiers to make significant changes after the defeat to Donegal on June 26th. Dooher and Mulligan are no longer considered starters.

“It’s a good tactic to have but I don’t know if it is intentional in that a lot of those men started against Donegal and probably when they were needed most they weren’t there, they didn’t have the legs,” observed Canavan.

“It’s not a case of just doing something as a tactic. If you want Brian Dooher on the pitch, the last 15, 20 minutes are the best time to have him on and the same with the others. I think he has probably found that out the hard way by experiencing the defeat to Donegal.”

Mulligan caused whispers and rumours when missing a few training sessions a few weeks back only to return before the Armagh match. The party line was that he had club commitments to attend to. Canavan invokes the image of Mulligan’s double-dummy hand-pass that shredded the Dublin defence for a memorable goal in 2005.

“If Tyrone are going to progress to All-Ireland semi-finals or a final I still think he is going to be very important to them. Croke Park seems to bring the best out in him so I would like to think that when he gets a scent of Croke Park he won’t be far away.”

Croke Park seems to bring the best out of all of them. Still, Harte seems equally aware this season, more than any time before, that the likes of Kyle Coney, Colm Cavanagh and Seán O’Neill must take ownership of starting positions if Tyrone are to be still fighting come September.

“Tyrone are coming in in a good position,” says Canavan. “They have got a couple of games, the younger men are starting to find their feet and I think Mickey now knows he has serious options, serious competition and he is reserving a couple of the stalwarts for roles as impact subs and they seem to be working well. The string of competitive matches in such a short space of time seems to suit Tyrone well. It has served them well in previous years and we’d like to think we are coming good at the right time.

“The only danger now is that the general public are talking about a Tyrone v Dublin All-Ireland quarter-final and the Tyrone players would not want to fall into that trap because it’s Roscommon they are playing and they are very much a team on the up. They work very hard for each other, they have an excellent manager and an excellent set-up.”

Tyrone talismans

Tyrone’s remaining three-time All-Ireland winners

Brian Dooher (age: 35)

The running man. Took over the captaincy after the shocking death of Cormac McAnallen in 2004, lifting Sam Maguire in 2005 and 2008. Confined to the bench since defeat to Donegal.

Pascal McConnell (31)

Starting goalkeeper in 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland final victories.

John Devine (28)

Lost starting role in 2005 and only missed the 2008 All-Ireland final against Kerry due to the death of his father.

Ryan McMenamin (33)

Despite his healthy record of indiscipline, Ricey remains a pivotal figure in the Tyrone defence. Started ’03 final at left corner, switched to the right in ’05 only to become a raiding wing back in ’08. Great engine.

Conor Gormley (30)

Began at wing back in ’03 but famously ended up marking Stevie McDonnell. Moved to centre back in ’05, returning to the full back line in ’08, but back on the 45 this season.

Philip Jordan (31)

The four-time All Star wing back needed a gentle nudge to return to the panel this season. Proved against Longford that he is still one of the best footballers around.

Kevin Hughes (30)

Man of the Match in ’03 All-Ireland final, didn’t feature in ’05, and was a half-time sub for Collie Holmes in ’08 final against Kerry, when he also kicked a point. Has re-established his midfield partnership with Sean Cavanagh.

Seán Cavanagh (28)

Another four-time All Star, the 2008 footballer of the year (and man of the match in final after scoring 0-5), when shifted to full forward. Back in midfield of late.

Brian McGuigan (31)

Ridiculously overlooked for an All Star in 2005, two years of horrific injuries followed which seemed to permanently reduce his natural brilliance despite featuring off the bench in ’08 final. Returned to the heart of the attack this summer.

Enda McGinley (30)

Started at corner forward in ’03 but midfield in the other two All-Irelands. Yet to make an impact this season after a late return to panel.

Owen Mulligan (30)

Supposedly quit panel due to lack of game time only to return. Lost his place to Colm McCullagh in ’08.

Stephen O’Neill (30)

An All Star in 2001 and footballer of the year in ’05 but injured during ’03 and ’08 campaigns yet still came off the bench in both finals. Currently hamstrung.