Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
O’rourke: Hands can shake Dubs
MALACHY O’ROURKE believes Tyrone can put it up to Dublin in their All-ireland semi-final collision.
The reigning champions look set to finally get a test worthy of the name after brushing aside Carlow, Westmeath, Kildare and Monaghan to get to the last four of the All-ireland series.
But on paper they will be properly examined by Tyrone, who scored three goals against a poor Armagh side two days ago.
“Tyrone can do well against Dublin,” claimed Monaghan boss O’rourke, above.
“You have to remember they (Tyrone) have been here (in Croke Park) before, have done well in the recent past and have three All-irelands to their name over the course of the last 14 years.
“That breeds confidence because Croke Park is a tough environment when you’re not used to it.”
But O’rourke is quick to add that beating this relentless Dublin outfit will take a monumental effort on behalf of Mickey Harte’s charges.
“Physically, Dublin are very strong and quick,” he said.
“Their range of skills are good, their kick passing, their fist-passing, but the big thing is they make the right decisions time after time.
“In the last 10 minutes of last year’s All-ireland that proved crucial because the higher level you go up, the more critical decision making becomes.”
O’rourke has hinted he will return to manage the Farney county again next year, but conceded: “We’ve lost four in five years now at the quarter final stage and it takes a lot of resilience and mental strength to keep coming back.
“But the teams who have beaten us – Tyrone and Dublin – are two of the top teams in the country.”