Hampsey sights on Mon men

ALL-STAR defender Padraig Hampsey is well aware of the importance of Saturday’s evening’s Allianz National League division One encounter with neighbours Monaghan at Healy Park.

Two of the leading lights in Ulster football have struggled in the opening three games of the League and there is no doubt whoever comes off second best in this encounter is in trouble.

Tyrone go into the game looking for their first win and if they were to achieve it they would be one point better off than at this stage 12 months ago.

“Every game from now on in the league is vital for us,” said Hampsey.

“We need to be picking up as many points as we can and we’re not looking past this game at the weekend. Monaghan are our focus and we’re going to hopefully get points.

“Last season, we had a late rally to get points and we did just manage to stay up, so it’s very important for us to be on form this season and we’ll be trying our best to win the game.”

The Red Hands broke their duck last day out when a spirited second half revival saw them earn a share of the spoils away to Roscommon thanks to a late equaliser from Niall Morgan.

Monaghan on the other hand had a great result first day out at home to All Ireland champions Dublin but they have since tasted back to back defeats at the hands of Roscommon and Galway and they will be a wounded animal at Healy Park.

Hampsey: “They did pick up two great points against Dublin, it’s always great to get a win over the likes of a big team like that, but it was a weird one for them and I’m sure they will be coming all guns blazing on Saturday evening and will be confident of picking up the points themselves.

“It is going to be a very tough encounter.”