SQUAD MUSCLES
Lee predicting a show of strength from Red Hands despite absences
LEE BRENNAN insists Tyrone have the quality to absorb the absence of himself and Peter Harte on Saturday.
In the pick of the first round qualifier ties, the Red Hands are facing a tricky assignment in Navan.
And while Mickey Harte is looking for a big reaction to the two-point loss to Monaghan, Andy Mcentee is looking for the same from his Meath side after their surrender to Longford.
Brennan is out with a hamstring injury he sustained in the Monaghan clash – a big setback given he finished as Division One’s top scorer with 2-30.
The influential Harte, meanwhile, was sent off against the Farney and is suspended for this Pairc Tailteann clash.
“That definitely is a blow,” said Brennan. “It’s not ideal.
“But we’ve a good squad that will be able to deal with him being missed.”
Three years ago Tyrone went through the back door to the All-ireland quarterfinals and then lost to Kerry in the semis. En route, they met Meath in Healy Park, with Harte’s penalty making all the difference in a two-point victory.
Trillick hot-shot Brennan remembers it well.
“Meath are a good side. They were leading until the 60th minute.
“It’s not going to be easy, especially down there.
“They’ll be looking for a reaction – they won’t want to be out of the Championship either. They’re going to be fighting just as much as we are.
“Hopefully we get out on top but we can’t look past this.
“Obviously we wanted to beat Monaghan and we put in as much effort as we they did, it’s just that it was nip and tuck the whole way and two Conor Mcmanus points at the end made the difference.
“Not too many people would have scored them and it just showed his class. That’s why they beat us on the day.”
Monaghan will be in the next qualifier round after their surprise defeat to Fermanagh last weekend.
The Erne men prevailed by making better use of their defensive system – something that has worked in Tyrone’s favour in the past, but has also seen them come badly unstuck.
For a prolific scorer at club level such as Brennan, the system has it’s frustrations but he says it can be made to work.
“Obviously it’s hard to get on the ball if there are players back, but if the offensive style of play is right and we have a good balance then it doesn’t be a problem for me to get on the ball.
“It’s just down to me and my movement inside, and being able to take opportunities when you get on the ball or set players up.”