Mossey making his mark with club and county

AN All-Ireland semi-final appearance combined with the imminent prospect of senior football at club level are the big incentives for a young man from Gortin who is enjoying football right now ahead of a big date with the Tyrone U-20s.

Liam Og Mossey was a key figure for the St Patrick’s when they collected the Division Two league title last autumn. Since then, he has been blazing a trail with the young Red Hands whose exciting win over Donegal last week at Owenbeg in the Ulster Final saw them clinch a fifth provincial title in seven years.

Victory in that game has set up a tantalising semi-final clash against Kerry oin Sunday. The Kingdom ousted Cork comprehensively in the Munster decider, but this semi-final clash promises to be another intriguing encounter between the most modern of footballing rivals.

it’s a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland Final clash which saw Tyrone win the title in style.The teams return to the scene of that clash at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise for the latest instalment and another chance for the Red Hands to write their own history at this level.

Team manager, Paul Devlin and many of the players are, of course, well accustomed to the big game pressures. Suffice to say, though, that they will be taking nothing for granted against opponents who are also being highly rated.

For Liam Og Mossey, this game is one to be both relished and enjoyed as they bid for an All-Ireland Final place against either Louth or Mayo.

“No words can really describe what it’s like for us to be Ulster champions again. It was nip and tuck between us and Donegal for so long and we knew that they were going to come out fighting and never give up,” he said.

This has been a journey that Tyrone have enjoyed, and their wins over Derry in the Ulster semi-final and then Donegal in the decider have highlighted their abilities, and, as Mossey says, the hard work which has gone into this campaign.

“I think all the tough training sessions which we’ve had since the start of the year have really paid off for us,” he added.

“Donegal had beaten us at the start of the year in the league, but I don’t think we were fully up for that game. Derry was a bit of an upset, and I think we definitely showed our class in the Ulster final.

“The management has been brilliant with Paul Devlin and O’D (Connor O’Donnell). They’ve been working on getting us ready with tactics and stuff. They’ve coached us to a tee and everything that we’ve gone through is starting to come out now.

“The Kerry game is going to be another big one for us. I wouldn’t say that I know much about them, but they’re going to be one of the favourites for the competition. They’ll be up for it as we will as well.”

Players change annually on panels, and as a survivor from last year’s historic side, Mossey is enjoying a new dynamic with the current squad. He’s now a regular starter as well and keen to make the most of this opportunity for another national title.

“This is a whole different set up from last year. It’s class to be in with a new group of players and it’s not really like we’re going for two-in-a-row because there’s so many new lads. That bunch of players is great.

“We have a great mix of lads from different clubs. We’re all best friends when it comes to training at Garvaghey, the training is class and you can just tell that we’re all getting on well.”

New rules, a load of new players and the fresh challenges that come with each new season provide the backdrop to the 2025 bid for glory for a Tyrone team determined to make its mark this Sunday.

“There’s a lot more running compared to last year and some packed defences as well,” adds Mossey.

“The Tyrone support was class in the Ulster Final and we’ll be hoping for the same again. Hopefully they can come on Sunday again. We’ve got a good momentum with the games every week, it’s all about the recovery and then leaving no stone unturned for the next match.”