Ulster tie was great spectacle

THEY say a week is a long time in politics, but it was certainly the case regarding the provincial championships.

After the doom and gloom of the opening weekend, we were treated to some cracking games last Saturday and Sunday.

One that probably went under the radar was Cavantyrone. When all is said and done at the end of the Championship, we could look back on that as possibly the game of the season.

It made no sense really, which is often the case with the best games. Tyrone were cruising in the second half until a black card for Padraig Hampsey and the concession of a quickfire 2-2 left their Ulster title hopes dangling.

But they came through a testing extra time period and now go in as big underdogs against a revitalised Donegal.

Donegal themselves were underdogs last Saturday but the tables have now turned and they are being viewed through a different lens.

That brings a different type of pressure. How they handle that will be interesting.

If Shaun Patton hasn’t recovered, then that will be a big blow for them. Niall Morgan’s role tomorrow will be fascinating. He is a better ‘sweeper keeper’ than Odhran Lynch, but no doubt Donegal will try and target this area in.

Tyrone had nine Ulster Championships debutants last week which is crazy.

They certainly are a team in transition. They have the potential to give Donegal problems and I don’t think it’s as clearcut as what some observers are saying it will be.

But if there is any man that can bring Donegal back down to earth after a huge win and get them ready for a different challenge it’s Jim Mcguinness and I expect they’ll come through.