McCurry rues Tyrone’s failure to see the match out

WHILE his excellent personal scoring tally of 0-10 earned him the official Man of the Match award, Tyrone sharpshooter Darren McCurry could only reflect back on the side’s one point loss to Armagh in Saturday’s Ulster Championship semi-final with bitter disappointment.

The Red Hands went at it hammer and tong with the reigning All-Ireland kingpins for 70 pulsating minutes at St Tiernach’s Park, but come the finish up it is the Orchard County who will be back in Clones in a fortnight’s time to do battle for the Anglo-Celt Cup.

‘The Dazzler’ McCurry more than lived up to his nickname as he swung shots over the bar regularly across the duration, and his two point free with less than ten minutes remaining appeared to have laid the platform for a famous come from behind triumph.

He was annoyed however that Tyrone were unable to see the job out down that home stretch, as Armagh snatched the spoils right at the death.

“I thought we gave the ball away inside a few times in the last few minutes which was crucial. They got big turnovers and got scores from it. So that is something we will have to look at. We probably should have seen that game out.”

Much of the build-up to the match had focused in on past iconic meetings between the two counties, especially in the early noughties when they were the two best sides in Ireland. In terms of excitement and intensity, this latest instalment also earned rave reviews in the aftermath, but McCurry drew little satisfaction from being one of the central characters in such a brilliant spectacle.

“We fought right to the end. It was exciting stuff no doubt. I thought we had it but it was snatched away at the end. We are obviously very disappointed but we have lots to work on for the next day out.”

Even when sprightly sub Eoin McElholm put Tyrone two in front entering the last five minutes, McCurry knew there would still be a kick in Armagh, and hence his annoyance that they were enable to dictate the closing stages.

After we went two up I was just thinking about the next ball. To try and get pressure on for the next kick out. I think they actually got it away and scored, and kept the ball for a few minutes after that. That was disappointing. We used up plenty of energy but they got on top at that stage.”

This time last year Tyrone were also involved in a real see-saw Ulster semi against Donegal, which they lost after extra-time in Celtic Park. Then as now the side hoped to regroup and give the All-Ireland series a real rattle but that didn’t materialise. McCurry hopes that their Sam Maguire campaign will prove more fruitful on this occasion.

“Last year just tailed off, so we are determined that won’t be the case after losing in Ulster this year. We will have a month or so to regroup and see who we get drawn with.”