Devlin can’t wait for All-Ireland showdown

By Alan Rodgers

ANOTHER top class display is now being demanded from the Tyrone U-20s as they prepare for more All-Ireland glory after confidently disposing of the Roscommon challenge in Saturday’s semi-final.

It’s set to be another highly-anticipated clash against old rivals Kerry in the All-Ireland Final next weekend. The Red Hands enter the tie anxious to make their mark against a Kingdom side which defeated Meath in their semi-final on Saturday.

Three goals at critical stages earned Tyrone an emphatic 3-18 to 3-8 win. According to team manager, Paul Devlin, the young side is now determined to end the season on the highest positive note.

“We were a bit shaky when they got the couple of goals. They were decent goals, but they reacted to it , shut up shot and then pushed on. This is another step and I couldn’t ask any more of the lads,” he said.

“There’s a bit of momentum going for the lads now. At the end of the day, what better place can you be than in an All-Ireland Final. They’re a superb bunch of lads and I can’t commend them or their parents enough.

“They’re now pushing on to the next level. The players are working hard, and the challenges have been put up to them. Anything that seemed to be put up to them there today, they responded and it worked well for them.”

Paul Devlin was part of the Tyrone U-21 team which defeated Kerry in the 1991 All-Ireland Final and the 1992 All-Ireland semi-final. Now, he’s seeking to overturn the Kingdom as a manager as well, and is well aware of the threat posed by the Munster champions.

“Next week is another game and we’ll hope to go to another level with the lads and see where it takes them. That’s all that we can ask of them,” he added.

“Every game is different; we’re there on final day. We’ll sit down and go through things. It’s all positive for ourselves, and you can’t criticise them.

“We’ll be looking forward to the final now against Kerry.

“There’s a lot of them that weren’t involved in the All-Ireland Minor final for 2021. They’ve missed out on a medal before so that’s a big incentive for them.”