Hurlers have nowhere to ‘Hyde’ in Roscommon- McShane

A CHASE for promotion which has demanded the attention of the Tyrone hurlers during the past three season resumes again this weekend when their 2022 campaign begins with a tough away challenge against Roscommon.

The Red Hand side, which reached the Nickey Rackard Cup Final in 2021 following a marvellous run, are competing in Division 3A. They are once more under the management of Michael McShane for a second year and will be aiming to make a big impression.

But this Sunday’s clash is a vitally important one. The top team in the Division will go into the final, with the next two placed sides facing each other to decide who joins them. As a result, Tyrone know what is being expected from them as this season gathers pace.

Now back from guiding Slaughtneil to another Ulster Club hurling success, Michael McShane is relishing the prospect of seeing Tyrone continue to make progress in 2022 and obviously promotion in a key target.

“It’s fairly likely that this tie against Roscommon is going to be the toughest one. We also have a bit of a distance to travel to logistically makes thing just that little bit harder,” he said.

“Roscommon are a team I don’t know an awful lot about. They were in the league above us and we can only imagine that they are playing at a fairly decent level and will be very determined to go straight back up again.

“Our games against them have been fairly tight over the past few years. The game is in Hyde Park and there’s no doubt that the players will have to work very hard. Ultimately, all the games in this division are going to be difficult because all the teams will have high hopes of doing well.

“The format this year emphasises that. If you’re in the top three you get a place in the semi-final at least and every team will feel that they are capable of reaching that stage.”

Tyrone welcome back Aidan Kelly, who has beern in Australia, and Dermot Begley to the squad. While Rory Weir and Anthony Crossan are injury concerns for this opening tie, the side have been going well in training over recent months.

In addition, a number of challenge matches have provided them with some competitive action. Games have taken place in the past few weeks against Leitrim, Derry and London as preparations gather pace for this Sunday’s opening tie.

“The good thing from our viewpoint is that we have had two or three challenge games, the players are training really hard and looking sharp. But we won’t really know where we’re at until the real competitive action begins,” he added.

“It certainly won’t be all over no matter what the result on Sunday and we’ll have a better idea after that as to where we’re at.

“We beat London, drew with Derry and played Leitrim in challenge matches, so it has all been very positive.

“Aidan Kelly is back from Australia and is a massive asset to us up front. Dermot Begley has also come back and committed to us this year.

“There are a couple of injuries, but we’ll not be giving up on anyone until Sunday.”

Reaching the Nickey Rackard Final last year was a significant achievement for the Red Hands. Although they ultimately lost out to Mayo in the decider at Croke Park, the confidence gained from that run is certain to prove an advantage in 2022.

“Last year was good and we did well and everybody is looking to push on from that. We punched above our weight and we want to go now and win things,” added Michael McShane.

“Getting to a higher level has to be the ambition for us, and to keep trying to improve. But Division 3A is not an easy league to get out of, as we saw last year.

“Sligo got promotion and went on to acquit themselves well in the Christy Ring Cup. Roscommon are coming down from Division 2B, Armagh will have ambitions of doing well. But ultimately Tyrone need to get up to Division 2B and away from that lower level.

“There are a lot of good young hurlers in Tyrone who will only improve if they get the opportunity to compete against stronger opposition.”

The Red Hands have come agonisingly close to sealing that promotion prize at various points in the past few years. Hopes will be high that perhaps 2022 will finally be the season that they make that all-important and much sought-after goal.