Cathal McShane insists Tyrone’s hunger and desire remains undiminished despite a lacklustre start to their Division One campaign.
The All-Ireland champions have yet to register a victory in 2022 following back-to-back losses in the pre-season McKenna Cup before beginning the League with a hard-earned 0-9 all draw with Monaghan in Healy Park.
Sunday’s six-point defeat to Armagh at the Athletic Grounds also resulted in four red cards for Tyrone after an ugly melee marred the end of the contest.
As things stand, Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher are set to be without captain Padraig Hampsey, Peter Harte, Michael McKernan and Footballer of the Year Kieran McGeary for the round three clash with Kildare on Sunday week in Omagh.
Armagh’s Greg McCabe, who scored his side’s opening goal, was also dismissed by referee David Gough.
Yet, despite their early-season woes, Tyrone attacker McShane is adamant that the Red Hands will come good again before too long.
When it was put to him that Tyrone might struggle to replicate the hunger of last season, McShane replied: “I wouldn’t agree with that at all.
“I see the hard work the lads put in at training. It isn’t just one or two nights - it is four or five nights a week.” said McShane.
“There is no questioning that. We are working hard and giving our all and we are as hungry as ever.
“Obviously, we probably started a wee bit later this year. We are back now and we are working hard and the boys are chomping at the bit.
“We just focus on ourselves. We didn’t play well in the first half (against Armagh) and we have to try and figure out why that was the case.”
After the game, Logan indicated that Tyrone will appeal the red cards which would rule four key players out of the Kildare tie while Armagh are also expected to appeal McCabe’s dismissal.
Tyrone’s poor first half performance was in stark contrast to that of Kieran McGeeney’s men with goals from McCabe and Jason Duffy giving the Orchard County a 2-8 to 0-4 lead at half-time.
The Red Hands managed to outscore the hosts 0-10 to 0-6 with a vastly improved showing in the second half, but they failed to test Armagh goalkeeper Blaine Hughes all afternoon.
“It was a bit of a ‘Jackal and Hyde’ performance,” said Tyrone’s joint-manager Feargal Logan.
“The first half was very poor, but the second half, Tyrone turned up big and did what they do best and ran at them.
“They (Armagh) were banked up at the back from the start and it was hard to break down and create goal opportunities. We were picking off the points and then we ran out of road.
“They are definitely on an upward curve and they look to have a bank of work done. They are a very good team. We commend and congratulate them.
“They’ve quality footballers on view and the challenge now is for everyone to catch and get at them.
“It is just unfortunate that it was cut short for want of a better phrase. There was still a bit to go in that game.”
