Ian O'Riordan asks the Tyrone forward about the sacrifices he has had to make in order to help his county reach Sunday's final

I was actually saying I don't mind. But I was never so glad to see him come running over, to be honest. And I know Seán Cavanagh and Brian McGuigan were trying to get the ball off me and get it to him. Thank God he sent it over and that's the reason we're here now.

It's likely to be remembered as the most famous exchange of words in Croke Park this summer, and Owen Mulligan will probably be recalling the story for years to come.

Still, the Tyrone forward has no problem revealing exactly what he said to Peter Canavan before that free against Armagh in their All-Ireland semi-final. He could pretend or even exaggerate a little and say he was poised to risk it all for the honour and glory, but Mulligan wouldn't dare steal any credit from his old master.

"His experience is incredible," adds Mulligan, "and he's been around a lot longer than me. And he's still such a big influence on everybody. When he tells you what to do you listen, because he's always right. So I'll just keep listening anyway."

Mulligan still looks to Canavan as some sort of guiding light in his career. Their relationship as pupil and teacher at Holy Trinity has been well documented, but that relationship took a new spin this year when Canavan appeared to re-ignite Mulligan to his fiery best.

Still only 24, Mulligan was always going to require a little maturing since ceremoniously breaking on to the scene in 2003, and he's modest and open enough to admit it wasn't easy.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard to get motivated again after 2003. And maybe, when you think back on it, there was some training there where you'd lie back. But definitely that hunger came back there at the start of the year.

"I also just worked a bit more on my ball skills. They went bad there for a while, and I've had a very up and down season. But maybe that goal against Dublin set the ball rolling for me.

"I mean sometimes a kick of the ball can make or break your season, and I think that just happened to make mine."

So far he's scored 2-17 in the championship - including 1-7 in the quarter-final replay with Dublin. Injury did play some part in his loss of form over the past 12 months, but a player of Mulligan's talent can sometimes be more prone to cooling off periods, or even other distractions.

He's not known simply as "Mugsy" by his team-mates for nothing, and yet he doesn't try to play up any of the myths. "Well, any of the lads will tell you that they like a bit of partying. But when the chips are down and you're asked if you'd rather go out or play in an All-Ireland final, I think you know what you want to do. And I'm no different there. It's hard to miss going out sometimes, but I'll take a back seat for the wee time.

"But I know the sacrifices you make are all worth it, especially when you have Sam Maguire in your hands. And going back to your home town, seeing old men of 80 crying their eyes out. They're hugging you and kissing and you're wondering what they're crying for, but that's when you know it's all worth it. When you see what it means to them."

Although largely an extrovert on the field, Mulligan is far more contained in his main walk of life. He could probably sell himself to soccer or even the Australian version of the game, but he's perfectly content with his chosen profession in his home place of Cookstown.

"That's what I like about football. I'm not going to go into any job just because of it. I'm a joiner by trade and that's what I like to stick at.

"I know Seán Cavanagh has had offers from Australia, but look, don't get me wrong on this, I've been to Australia twice on holiday and played a bit of football out there. But a player like big Seán is a lot more athletic than I am, and better suited to that game. As long as I can stick where I am I'll be happy."

Having regained his old form and confidence, Mulligan is now certain to play a major role on Sunday. He has no doubt how Tyrone's nine-game preparation will work out: "I think it's a big advantage. Some people might think Tyrone are getting tired, but ask any footballer and they'll tell you they prefer playing games to training.

"And I think the games have improved our fitness. And I think the whole team's confidence has grown as the season went on.

"But I don't think we can talk much about Kerry. Some people have been saying they haven't been tested yet, but they've come through every time because they're a class act. But I'd rather our route."