By Cian O’Connell

A rivalry was born two years previously. Tyrone’s statement All Ireland SFC Semi-Final win over Kerry suggested a new force was emerging. That suspicion proved to be correct as Tyrone gleaned Sam Maguire in 2003, 2005, and 2008.

It was a truly remarkable time for Tyrone. Unfortunately Tyrone had to deal and cope with deep tragedy. The pain indescribable, but on the field of play the Red Hands remained daring and defiant.

Some of their signature displays arrived against the bluebloods of the game, Kerry and Dublin. The bigger the challenge appeared to be how Tyrone would prosper.

So many Croke Park occasions were lit up by Peter Canavan’s craft; Brian Dooher’s dynamism; Conor Gormley’s character; Ryan McMenamin’s graft; Owen Mulligan’s style; Stephen O’Neill’s skill; and Brian McGuigan’s thoughtfulness.

Others delivered critical cameos too, but the final of 2005 counted for so much. Kerry had responded to the 2003 setback by claiming an All Ireland a year later.

Kerry hit Croke Park intent on remaining at the summit of the Gaelic Football world. Tyrone wanted to illustrate that their first title wasn’t the end of a journey, merely the start.

Harte’s Presence Is The Only Thing book with Michael Foley provides a real insight into Tyrone’s approach.

Being relevant counted for a lot with Harte recalling a conversation with Kerry manager Jack O’Connor. “He told me our performance in the first half of the 2003 semi-final was among the best 30 minutes of football he had ever seen.

“I was glad someone acknowledged we had to have played some decent football to score nine points against Kerry in the first half.”

Ultimately, though, Harte stressed how Tyrone were primed. “Essentially Kerry were out to redress the balance,” Harte stated. “Victory in 2005 would right all the wrongs we had perpetrated in 2003.”

There was a game to be won. “We had to show that 2003 wasn’t a freak accident. Staging an ambush to catch Kerry might have been part of the process, but we didn’t see ourselves as an ambush team. We were a team of quality. We had to convince the wider world of that.”

That mission would be accomplished.

In Paul Galvin’s autobiography In My Own Words, the Kerryman offered an honest appraisal. “Tyrone proved themselves a great side on the day,” Galvin said.

“That was probably the best team I played against if you look at the quality and character spread throughout.”

**

Cormac McAnallen’s memory and ambition stayed with the Tyrone panel. His drive and desire wasn’t forgotten. ‘Legitimate, enduring champions,’ is what Harte wanted Tyrone to become.

It meant the 2005 decider was stuffed with importance. Five changes had been made from the victorious 2003 team, that was the beauty of that era for Tyrone. Players were integrated into the set-up.

Depth was created and when matches were delicately poised Tyrone frequently had someone to call on. Chris Lawn and Peter Canavan, two totemic figures from the nearly year of 1995, were still on the beat, supplying inspiration on and off the field.

Harte had found a way to stitch the generations together. Despite the trying circumstances Tyrone were on the march.

Brian McGuigan had occupied a central role for Harte at every level. “Mickey is a legend,” McGuigan reflected.

“He was a legend in the eyes of the players that were involved with me right up from minor. The thing about it is I always knew Mickey Harte.

“I spent a year or so with Eugene McKenna and Art McRory, but to be fair I was probably a bit immature coming into the senior set-up. I didn't give it the full attention that I probably should have.

“Once Mickey came in we really bought into him. In my Tyrone career I knew nothing else from minors to under 21s to senior. I would hold him in high regard.”

McGuigan, though, is adamant about Harte’s utter determination for Tyrone to succeed. "If you look at the period in which we were successful, Mickey was just ruthless in everything he did,” McGuigan recalls.

“He dropped me for an All Ireland Final and I had no bother with it as it was the right call. He does everything for the good of the team and for the good of Tyrone football.”

A close connection had been forged with the majority of the panel during a decorated stint in the underage grades.

Those triumphs at minor and Under 21 level offered hope and attached some expectation to Tyrone, which was no harm either.

“It was unique in the sense that a special bunch of boys all came through at the one age, at 16, 17, then we grew up together,” Enda McGinley admits.

“Mickey Harte was our manager, he was a young manager back then at the start. He had us as minors and took us up right through with the Under 21s and seniors. Thankfully we won underage All Ireland titles and then won three senior All Ireland titles.”

Every All Ireland carried meaning and brought joy, but the victories at GAA headquarters will always be cherished.

“It was the battles with Dublin, the battles with Kerry, unfortunately the death of Cormac McAnallen, the death of Michaela, it has just been an amazing 10 or 12 years to be involved in,” McGinley remarks about his time with Tyrone.

“I suppose that sense of privilege is there because Croke Park holds so many of them memories, especially the moments in the dressing room before and after the games.

“They are probably the most personal and precious memories for any player because they are unseen, only the people inside the circle get to experience and see. Croke Park, the dressing rooms, that really encapsulates the time with those bunch of boys.”

**

Kerry started smartly. Dara Ó Cinnéide planted a goal, but Tyrone stayed cool. At the opposite end Ryan Mellon was prominent, while Dooher was in electric mode too.

Mulligan and Canavan combined with the Kerry net eventually dancing. Tyrone led by three at the turnaround, but it stayed hard fought.

A Tomás Ó Sé major narrowed the gap to the minimum. Similar to the 2003 decider Canavan had been withdrawn in order to be sufficiently fit to conclude the game.

Harte turned to Canavan again. “Canavan scored a class goal on the stroke of half-time from a Mulligan knock-down, then Harte took him off for a breather before sending him on again to close the deal,” Colm Cooper wrote in his autobiography

“More evidence of how they were re-thinking the game. We ended up chasing the game and, in the dying seconds, Canavan pulled me down with a virtual rugby tackle as I sprinted to take a return pass. Their best player doing whatever it took.”

Tyrone finished the job. A second All Ireland title had been secured. It was a victory for perseverance and passion. A gripping summer of football, sprinkled with draws and drama, was over. “It was an incredible sensation,” Harte admitted in Presence Is The Only Thing. “It wasn’t euphoria or delirium, just a warm, reassuring sense of satisfaction.

“Back in January, Ger Loughnane had been invited as a guest to the Errigal Ciarán dinner dance. I could remember his words now. ’The second All Ireland is fulfilment’, he said. ‘There was so much more added value to a second All Ireland.’ I could see what he meant now.”

Away from the fuss and celebrations the next day Harte and Brian Dooher brought the Sam Maguire Cup to McAnallen’s grave in Eglish. A Tyrone warrior was gone, but never forgotten.