Tyrone u-21 boss concerned about absentees

Tyrone's Sean Warnock, right, is a key player for the Red Hands' u-21s

THE loss of Ronan O’Neill will undoubtedly hinder Tyrone u-21s chances of victory this according to manager Raymond Munroe.

That’s despite the fact that the Red Hands have a large amount of talent in their number.

“I think that the size of our panel gets over-exaggerated. If we lose two or three players we are still working off a panel of 24. Ronan O’Neill’s loss is devastating. Ronan McNamee is out with a broken ankle.

“They are two very important players who are not available to us. There are also a few men who are carrying knocks.”

Raymond Munroe is predicting a fiery battle nonetheless as he expects Down to be just as eager to get to the final as his Red Hand u-21 side.

However, he wouldn’t go as far as painting this game as a grudge match, despite the three-game meeting in last year’s Championship.

“We have had our battles in the past. Many of these boys will be well used to playing against each other. That is all it will mean, that they will know each other, but it will have little bearing on the game.”

The full story can be read in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published March 29. To get your copy, click the subscribe button on this page, or buy one in your local newsagent now!