Tiernan McCan.
By Cian O'Connell
Tiernan McCann is ready because 2018 promises to be a revealing stint for Tyrone. For much of last year there was so much Tyrone promise evident before a deeply disappointing All Ireland Semi-Final loss to Dublin.
That defeat hurt Tyrone deeply, but on the eve of the new Allianz Football League, McCann is relishing the challenges which await.
Solid footballers are being constructed in Tyrone with McCann remaining hopeful about the Red Hands’ future under Mickey Harte’s stewardship.
“Definitely,” McCann replies when asked if Tyrone are still on an upward curve. “We've a lot of lads in the group that maybe nobody outside of Tyrone has heard of yet that we're hoping will step up.
“Paudie Hampsey was a really good example of that last year. Not many people would have known about him, he ended up marking Michael Murphy and winning man of the match in Ulster, kicking three points and going on to win an All-Star nomination.
“I know we've players that have that potential in the group and I'd be hoping they really seize the opportunity to step up.”
McCann is adamant that his own brother, Conall, such an influential figure in St Mary’s, Belfast Sigerson Cup triumph in 2017, can develop further too. “There's definitely more to come from him,” McCann states. “He just needs to gain more confidence with games.
“When you go out to play well you gain confidence from that and you're able to go out to perform again the next day. He's a fantastic footballer and I just want him to keep improving.
“He got man of the match at the weekend there against Fermanagh and I'm hoping that'll step him up again when he goes to play - if picked - against Galway next weekend.
“Mattie Donnelly and Petey Harte are great role models that have come into the Tyrone team and have continually improved and set new standards. Paudie Hampsey did it last year.”
Tyrone footballer Tiernan McCann.
Stephen O’Neill’s arrival as a selector is another boost for Tyrone with McCann hugely impressed by his coaching methods.
“His drills and training has been very good,” McCann says. “Very innovative stuff in terms of movement and kick passing.
“We have Peter Donnelly as well, he's a fantastic strength and conditoning coach, and Gavin Devlin's fantastic in terms of his defensive set-up. It will be worthwhile to see the fruits of the labour of Stephen O'Neill's work soon.”
Now in his sixth campaign with Tyrone McCann acknowledges the difference compared to when he commenced his own inter-county career.
“It's my sixth year in the Tyrone team and there's been a lot of new young lads coming in,” McCann admits. “That was me a few years ago so I'll be trying to improve them as much.
“A lot of them are great leaders themselves and have set new standards, are winning the runs at training or making all the gym sessions.
“It's very much a player-led environment in that, when you come into the Tyrone set-up you try to push yourself as much as you can. Sometimes the older lads can get a positivity and energy from that to push on again. That's what it's all about.”
Valuable lessons were learned in Croke Park last August when Dublin delivered an awesome performance against Tyrone. “It’s not easy watching, but I think you’ll learn more from that game than you will any other game,” McCann adds. “It’s important to reflect to review and analyse.
“When you’re going forward, you can reflect back again and see what else you can do. It’s very early days in terms of that. We’ve a League campaign coming up now and that starts with a tough game away in Galway.”
Another mission starts for Tyrone and McCann is eager to maintain the standards he has attained in recent years.
“I love getting forward,” McCann remarks about his role. “I love trying to go to create. I love trying to go to get on the end of scores, and trying to take men on.
“I love that side of things, but as well as that first and foremost I’m a defender so I’ve a duty to guard our goals, to try to prevent goals and frees. I do enjoy the defensive side of it, too. I wouldn’t like to be thought of as a marauding half back who can’t defend.”
Always willing to evolve and adapt, McCann continues to contribute to the Tyrone cause.
