TYRONE'S victory over Down in Clones on Sunday has heightened hopes in Ulster that the Sam Maguire Cup is destined for another trip across the Border.

It was the first time for 20 years that a team retained the Ulster title and Tyrone's experience of having lost last year's All-Ireland final narrowly (a disallowed point which would have given them a draw ) was being seen as an indication of their determination and consistency. They now meet Meath on August 8th in the All-Ireland semi-final.

There is some relief in Tyrone that Dublin have been beaten. The accepted wisdom is that Croke Park is worth at least three points to Dublin any day. If that is accepted, then Tyrone's one-point defeat in last year's final may be regarded as something of a victory.

In Munster, Kerry have come back to take their first championship for five years. Mayo have emerged from Connacht and Meath from Leinster, all three heating the reigning champions in their provincial finals. Only Tyrone have retained their status.

It is no wonder then that Tyrone see themselves as the most experienced team in the semi-finals and a team with the right to assume the mantle of favourites.

They have many vastly experienced players available to them none more so than Finbar McConnell. Goalkeepers frequently exist on the fringe of great teams and are likely to end up as scapegoats for defeat.

McConnell, although young as goalkeepers go at the age of 24, is now regarded as a central figure in the side whose marshalling of players in front of him is as important to the team effort as the spreading of his bulky 15 stone, 6ft 4ins frame across the scoring area.

Elsewhere in the Tyrone team relative newcomers have emerged to give a nippy bite to the attack. Chief among these is Brian Dooher from the Donagheady club and Gerard Cavlan from Dungannon, both of whom have only recently passed their 20th birthdays.

Danny McNaughton who played as a substitute for Antrim against Tipperary in the 1989 All-Ireland hurling final, collapsed and died when playing for Cushendall on Sunday evening last.

He will be best remembered for scoring two goals against Kilkenny in the 1987 All-Ireland semi-final in Dundalk, when Antrim were beaten by a mere two points, and he was one of the many stars of the Antrim side which beat Offaly in the 1989 semi-final in Croke Park.