By Barry O’Donnell

LAST Sunday’s man of the match Niall Devlin confessed that he had bitter-sweet emotions as he left Tuam Stadium following the league draw with Galway, which only slightly enhanced Tyrone’s survival hopes.

The Coalisland defender turned in a tremendous man-marking job on the Tribe’s attacking talisman Shane Walsh, who managed just one point from open play across the contest.

However it was a two-point free converted by Walsh which restored parity with the very last kick and leaves the Red Hands hanging on precariously to their top flight status with just two matches remaining.

Devlin admitted that it was tough to see victory snatched from their grasp for the second weekend running, with Kerry having spoiled the party in Pomeroy the week before.

“We played some great stuff but things didn’t go our way in the last few minutes and we allowed Galway back into it. So we were happy enough with our performance but it was just annoying not to come away with the two points.

“I thought our control in the first 15 minutes was really good. We moved the ball well and took the right shots. I thought we handled them really well especially playing against the breeze. The two-pointers helped to keep them in it at stages. But we kept coming back with an answer to every one of them.

“We had a couple of really good chances and it is good that we are getting them. We worked the ball well into good scoring positions. On another day they could have been taken.”

Devlin accepted that Tyrone must learn how to put teams away when in the ascendancy, though adding that the calibre of opposition they were facing meant this was easier said than done at times.

“I thought we looked like pulling away but then they got a penalty too and that was a blow to us. But those sort of things happen. We reacted well to it too in fairness. Mattie (Donnelly) struck over a two-pointer and I thought that was it but in today’s game you just can’t afford to switch off.

“As things stand it has all tightened up a bit (the table) so we now have two massive games and in the next fortnight we will look to get a lot of work done preparing.”

As for his own individual display in being handed the task of nullifying the threat of Walsh, Devlin was happy enough with how it went.

“He’s a lethal player and you had to have your eyes on him at all times. His turn of pace is frightening and he can turn onto right or left foot to shoot.

“I was really glad to get handed that job. On another day it could have been different but it went okay overall.”