Enda Gilvarry is asked about the perception that Tyrone are a cynical football team but the Mayo manager deftly side-steps the suggestion with a bouquet of compliments.

“Look it, I seen them in the semi-final and I seen them today.

“I thought they were fantastic the way they went about their game, very well drilled, very well coached, very skilful and with great heart.

“Many minor teams would have given up the ghost, eight points down 15 minutes into the second-half. Tyrone certainly didn’t do that.”

They didn’t. And the free count is hardly an indictment either (Tyrone were awarded 20 fouls yesterday, Mayo 23). When Mickey Harte was asked about Seán Cavanagh rugby tackling Conor McManus this summer he asked for a forensic examination of the game knowing full well reporters wouldn’t be able to do that in the moments immediately afterwards.

But our eyes were not lying.

Referee Conor Lane deemed zero Mayo fouls warranted a yellow card but five Tyrone players were booked, two for off the ball incidents that didn’t disrupt the contest due to the new liquidity of the advantage rule.

Come up short
"Certainly I thought the referee had a good game," said Gilvarry. "Both teams were fouling. He let the game go when he could."

In seasons gone by a Mayo minor team, even one as talented as this bunch, would have come up short against the Tyrone approach.

But not yesterday.

“All I can speak about is this year,” said Gilvarry.

“This year the seniors have been brilliant role models to follow in the way they go about their game and the way they have played. I think what the minors have just done will help the seniors.”

Tyrone themselves didn’t follow all their own rules on how to own a game.

“We felt we were shooting from the wrong areas of the field,” said manager Mickey Donnelly.

“Shooting under the Hogan Stand, we weren’t working the ball in centrally and as a result of that we kicked the ball short or wide.

“Bit of a lack of experience.”

Seven of their starters
are available in 2014, eight from the Mayo panel. The production line in both
academies is stronger than ever.

“David Mulgrew is 15 years of age. I thought he was outstanding there today. Brilliant future ahead of him, said Donnelly”