“It’s a minor miracle that those guys were fit to do what they did” – Tyrone managers defend COVID approach

"This 'never say die' attitude. We're just glad they have it."

To think that this came maybe couldn't have been played would have stole the fans from an excellent contest between two GAA powerhouses. However, many fans and journalists do question the manner in which Tyrone handled the outbreak of COVID-19 that infiltrated their camp. The fact that they forced the GAA's hand to reschedule, and that the players were fit to put in such a performance right through extra time, led to some questioning for the managers. Ferghal Logan reveals that he has been in a constant state of worry throughout this ordeal.

"I worried during the game. I worried we would run out of gas in the second half. I worried about extra-time. I've worried the whole week, I've worried the whole month. "Listen, it's a minor miracle that those guys were fit to do what they did. If there is any impression that it wasn't men down low with Covid, blightness, then it's wrong.

"But, you can't coach character and resilience. In fairness to these guys, and everything that's gone before, they've built up a bank of fitness. "These guys are serious operators. It would shock me, coming in from an era where we just weren't as physically tuned. I've worried for a month, I'm going to try and take a day out of worry maybe." Brian Dooher admitted that he was unsure how the players managed to put in the shift that they did.

"We didn't know what way boys would go in the second half. We weren't sure would they stick it out. Some boys actually surprised us today. What they've been through, it doesn't add up... "It's a credit to our coaches, Collie, Joey and Peter, who have the boys in good shape. And our medical team for getting the boys re-integrated gradually.

"They haven't been over-trained. We didn't until the start of the season. The team has been built up as it went along. They have something inside them there that you can't coach. They have this real resilience. "This 'never say die' attitude. We're just glad they have it. You can do whatever you want on the field, but if you don't have that."