The timing of this evening’s Ulster under-21 football final may or may not be ideal from a Tyrone point of view: a chance to lift spirits after Sunday’s relegation to division two, or another struggle against low morale in the county.
What is certain is that new champions will be crowned, Tyrone seeking a first win since 2006, while opponents Donegal last won in 2010. Indeed Tyrone captain Kieran McGeary was part of the county side to last win an underage title, the Ulster minor crown in 2012, and admits the nine-year wait since winning an under-21 title is far too long.
“The conveyor belt has ground to a halt a wee bit and 2006 is too long for Tyrone to be winning an Ulster under-21 title,” he said. “It would be a massive lift for everyone to bring a bit of belief back into the county. At senior level, I don’t know what place they’re in but they can definitely come good again, and as for the under-21s, we believe it’s our time.”
Tyrone will have two former greats on the sideline to spur them on, Brian Dooher now acting as a water boy, while Peter Canavan is also there in an advisory role alongside manager Fergal Logan.
Donegal, however, having overcome last year’s Ulster champions Cavan in the first round of the competition, then enjoying a convincing semi-final win over Monaghan, netting four goals in the process, look marginally the better team.
