O’Rourke pleased with showing in Tyrone’s Championship opener

A MASSIVE showdown now awaits Tyrone, after a convincing Ulster SFC quarter-final victory over Cavan on Sunday at O’Neill’s Healy Park set up a tantalising semi-final against reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh at the end of the month.

It’s the kind of tie which will provide the perfect incentive for the Red Hands after their fairly routine win over Cavan. A total of 13 players contributed to the 1-24 to 0-20 final scoreline, a victory which leaves Malachy O’Rourke and the players in buoyant mood ahead of the semi-final on April 26.

Victory was essential after the disappointment of being relegated from Division One. Now they face the might of the Orchard County knowing that big improvements will be required to make the most of a golden opportunity.

Team manager, Malachy O’Rourke, was delighted to emerge from Healy Park with the win here, especially given that the blow of dropping to Division Two. He knows, too, that the championship challenges are only beginning as the 2025 season really swings into action.

“There were a few anxious enough moments when Cavan got close to us, but overall we’re delighted to have got the victory. We know that there’s plenty of work ahead of us as well,” said the manager.

“Once we got our game going in the first half, we were able to go at their defence and had some good inter-play. It wasn’t the case that we needed to get the two pointers and Cavan made good use of the wind in the second half to get a few two pointers.

“It was getting a wee bit nervous for us for a while, but obviously Conn’s goal was a massive score for us that turned the game back in our favour and I was glad that we saw it out. You have to play what’s in front of you.”

A hamstring injury to Darragh Canavan forced his late withdrawal from the starting lineup. Mattie Donnelly also missed starting, but there were others who made a big impact including Kieran McGeary, Darren McCurry, Conn Kilpatrick and Ruairi Canavan.

Tyrone were the last team to beat Armagh in the normal 70 minutes of action back in 2023. Now the task is to repeat that feat against opponents who blazed a trail to their second Sam Maguire triumph last July.

It’s a clash which will undoubtedly capture the imagination. But before that, there was a sense of relief among the Red Hand camp that this first challenge of the 2025 championship has been successfully overcome.

“No championship game is easy, so it was important to get this first championship win.

“We knew during the league that the boys had put in a lot of good work and we were pleased with the way we ended up in the league because our performances were improving,” the manager
added.

“We put on a good display here in front of the home crowd. Some of what we did was good and there are areas of improvement as well. It’s great to get through to the next round.

“All the players are experienced and realise that there are going to be ups and downs. It does no harm for every player to go out and get a few scores. This is a really competitive panel and that will continue. We need to improve rapidly over the next few weeks and that’s the intention.

“Armagh are a massive step-up. They overpowered us in the first half of our league game. They’re not All-Ireland champions for nothing and we know that we have a serious challenge in front of us. But that’s the hand we’re dealt with we’ll see how we get on.

“There’s no doubt that the lads are working hard and training well. There’s a great commitment, but there’s a lot of strength in depth as well. All the players are chomping at the bit and we’ve two weeks to prepare now.

“Armagh gave us a lesson the last day we played them and we know what’s in front of us.”