By Barry O’Donnell

FORMER Tyrone player Conor Gormley said he hopes that a ‘fit and healthy’ Red Hand side can go head-to-head with Kerry after the saga over the date of the All-Ireland semi-final was finally resolved last Sunday night.

The Covid-ravaged Red Hand senior squad were ultimately successful in their request to the GAA to have their match with the Kingdom delayed for an additional week, with the fixture set for Saturday, August 28 at Croke Park.

Gormley, a three-time winner of a Celtic Cross medal in his pomp, felt that now the issue over the rearranged date had been finalised, Tyrone could fully focus on the match itself and trying to reach the All-Ireland final against Mayo.

“From a players point of view, we saw the GPA talking about it, player welfare had to be the key. It is only right that they get the extra week to try and get everyone fit and healthy. The team will just want to look forward and focus on the match now with no other distractions.

“It won’t affect the season too much, just pushing the club leagues back in Tyrone a few days but if we get into an All-Ireland final all the club players in Tyrone would be happy enough I’d imagine.”

The Carrickmore legend understood why Tyrone were reluctant to proceed with the match this weekend given their resources were stretched to the limit because of the rates of Covid within their ranks.

“You are going down to face Kerry, probably the most potent team in the country. You want everybody fit and healthy and going well. Hopefully with the extra week they will be firing on all cylinders.

“Maybe everybody will be writing Tyrone off going in because of the Covid issue and the fact they were outgunned by them in the league semi. They didn’t show up that day at all so this is a great opportunity to go and prove what they really can do.

“There is no better place to go and play Kerry than Croke Park. It will be a tough ask for them but it’s a massive opportunity. The prize of an All-Ireland final doesn’t come around too often. We weren’t there from 2008 to 2018.”

Gormley is currently part of the Tyrone minor backroom staff and was able to bask in the glory of their Ulster title triumph at the expense of Donegal last Friday night.

While it’s a different role to the centre stage part he played in many of Tyrone’s past provincial victories during his stellar playing career, Gormley savoured the victory at Brewster Park and hailed the attitude of the young squad.

“It was actually a great feeling to watch Cormac (Devlin) walk up the steps and raise that trophy. I am immensely proud of the work that they have done over the last number of weeks.

“I just said to them before the game the progression they have made individually and as a team has been massive. They are a great bunch of lads and fair dues to them and their management team.

“I have been in the background and haven’t done a lot to be honest. Gerard (Donnelly, manager) and Gary (Hetheringon) and Tommy (Canavan) and Ciaran (Gourley) have done massive work in the background. They have been exceptional. I have never seen a team as well prepared. It showed in the effort they put in and the massive result they got.”

The minors now face Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final down in Tullamore this Saturday afternoon and Gormley is expecting a stern test of their title credentials against a county whose youth sides are flourishing right now.

“They disposed with Limerick the other night by nine or 10 points. They are clearly a good strong outfit who have got their act together. They have won the Munster U-20 and Minor Hurling and Football Championships this season so they have plenty of good young players coming through.

“It will be a really tough test but it is an All-Ireland semi-final so you expect a tough test. There is a spot in the final up for grabs so we will go down and give it a good lash.”