Cavanagh says Red Hand have to improve

COLM CAVANAGH has admitted that Tyrone will have to take their game to another level if they are to survive the Super 8s test. Tyrone booked their place in the last eight with a 16-point rout of Cork in Portlaoise last Saturday, but not even the emphatic manner of that win could mask a sluggish firsthalf performance. And while Cavanagh (above) can testify to the healing powers of the qualifiers — he is the only survivor from the team that won their last AllIreland through the back door in 2008 — he admits that their current run of form will not suffice. ‘I still don’t think we would be happy with some of the things we did against Cork. ‘It’s only going to get harder from here so you have to step forward and improve again to be able to compete in the Super Eights. ‘We haven’t hit the heights that we have probably hit in the last year or two. ‘But we do know that there are big performances in this team on any given day,’ insists Cavanagh. And the All-Star midfielder knows that with Dublin in round two and an away trip to Ballybofey in the final round, where Donegal have not been beaten in eight years, this Saturday’s Croke Park showdown with Roscommon is a case of win or bust. ‘I saw them in the Connacht final against Galway and they looked very, very impressive, they could have nipped Galway. ‘The first game is going to be a massive test and it’s very important in this type of Champions’ League structure. If we get the first win then we’re pushing for top place but if we lose the first game and the second then we’re gone. ‘It’s very important to get off to a good start next week.’