Big statement.
Former Tyrone star Phillip Jordan has been involved in some of the biggest days in Tyrone history, including their first ever All-Ireland win in 2003.
However, now retired, and enjoying the game as a fan from the outside looking in, he was of course delighted with his county’s huge win over Kerry yesterday, especially as everyone had written the Ulster side off.
There is no doubt this is a huge win, but could it be the biggest one yet? Jordan thinks it might.
The former Moy star took to Twitter to try and articulate his feelings of jubilance.
“What a win for Tyrone. That could be their greatest ever win, in terms of being totally against the odds.
What a win for Tyrone. That could be their greatest ever win, in terms of being totally against the odds. Hampsey my MOTM, Meyler and McGeary exceptional, McKeena clinical and bench came up trumps once again. Great to be a fan again on a great day for Tyrone football ⚪️🔴
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) August 28, 2021
“Hampsey my MOTM, Meyler and McGeary exceptional, McKeena clinical and bench came up trumps once again.
“Great to be a fan again on a great day for Tyrone football.”
It’s a big claim to make, but there is some merit behind it. A Kerry v Dublin final wasn’t as much as an expectation as it was a formality.
It was seen as a done deal, a guarantee, and generally accepted as the case for most GAA fans.
Tyrone would have been deemed a success just by winning the Ulster title, with new management, no pre-season and the complications of a COVID outbreak.
Everyone could see that the Red Hands have quality players in abundance, but it’s very difficult to learn what your best team is in the middle of a season.
However, Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan have done a brilliant job in their rotation, seem to have found a settled team now, and have the best chance to win an All-Ireland in well over a decade.
Although it was only 2018 when they were last involved in the big day, they were up against the most dominant force the GAA has ever seen, and at their very peak, in the form of Dublin.
Now they play Mayo, who haven’t won the All-Ireland in 70 years, and despite overcoming Dublin, haven’t had the same rocky road to endure that the Ulster side has.
Of course, Mayo will also be licking their lips, knowing that instead of the usual Dublin or Kerry in their way, they have an opportunity to finally get over that last hurdle.
The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10
