Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TYRONE HIT BY BIG MATCH FEVER
Historicgames between two great rivals..
IT’S the final everyone wanted to see. Tyrone and Dublin battling it out as they’ve done many times before.
From the contentious All-ireland final of 1995 to the Battle of Omagh in 2006, when these two giants clash it’s sure to be a memorable occasion.
For the generation of Tyrone fans who remember the final from 23 years ago those scars have never really healed.
Revenge is still very much at the forefront of their minds, despite the Red Hands having won three All-ireland titles since that disappointing defeat.
That revenge was partly served up when Tyrone dumped Dublin out of the All-ireland quarter-finals in a replay in 2005 thanks to that goal from Tyrone’s Owen “Mugsy” Mulligan.
But arguably the real revenge for Tyrone fans would be served by stopping Dublin from claiming a fourth successive All-ireland title on Sunday.
The Battle of Omagh will also be at the forefront of fans’ minds, a fiery encounter which saw four red cards handed out as players clashed in ugly scenes on the pitch which spilled on to the sidelines.
Recent games have been more mild-tempered in nature and there have still been close encounters, such as the Super 8 qualifier meeting between the two teams in Omagh just a matter of weeks ago.
Some will argue Tyrone beat themselves that day with a large tally of wides, while others will argue Dublin were just too good.
Whatever the result come Sunday evening, fans are sure to enjoy the spectacle these two talented sides will no doubt deliver on the big stage in Croke Park.