NICKEY RACKARD CUP ROUND FOUR

Roscommon v Tyrone

Saturday, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

By Niall Gartland

TYRONE hurling manager Michael McShane describes Saturday’s Nickey Rackard round four group stage match against Roscommon as akin to an ‘All-Ireland semi-final.’

While the Red Hands will have another shot at qualifying for the final when they take on Donegal on their last day out, they can book their place in a decider at Croke Park with a game to spare if they get the better of the Rossies at Dr Hyde Park.

So far it’s been a flawless campaign from the Red Hands, who have secured victories against Fermanagh, Warwickshire and Armagh en route to their penultimate group stage clash.

They only managed a draw when they faced Roscommon in stormy conditions in the league, but McShane is quietly confident ahead of Saturday’s game.

“We don’t fear anybody in this competition and that’s not being arrogant – we have confidence in our own ability,” McShane said.

“We went to Roscommon in our first league game this season and drew with them. We were disappointed we didn’t win that game but I think we were eight or nine points down so we came back to draw with them.

“It was an awful day, it’ll be a totally different game this time around. Roscommon will have changed and we have as well. I’ve said to the lads that it’s an All-Ireland semi-final so that’s the way we’re approaching it.”

One of the reasons Tyrone are doing so well in this competition is their strength-in-depth, something they haven’t always been able to call upon as a luxury.

“We’ve had to play a lot of games with 20 men because of injuries in our camp, but those injuries are starting to clear up at the right time. Aidy Kelly has come back and is rehabbing very hard. We brought on five subs on our last day out against Armagh, and each and every one of them would’ve been worthy of a starting place so it’s a great place to be.”

Tyrone racked up an impressive tally of 3-17 in that win over the Orchard County, with Belfast native Tiarnan Murphy scoring a second-half hat-trick. McShane says that’s the type of total they need to be scoring to win hurling games at this level.

“Any day you score 3-17 is a good day, but you need to be hitting about 25 points anyway, and we did hit a lot of wides, particularly in the first half. I’ll take 3-17 against Roscommon as well, but we need our defence working a bit tighter too.”

Carrickmore, Eire Óg defender Oran McKee was arguably the best performer on the pitch against Armagh, but there was also a sterling contribution from his club colleague Conor McElhatton, the team goalkeeper.

“He pulled off an excellent save, he tipped it over the bar at a crucial time. If they got a goal they were right back in it. John Hennessey has done a lot of work with ‘Reevie’ and his communication with his defence, keeping them tight and organising them.”