Playing for the thrill

As with most successful athletes you only touch the surface of Seán Cavanagh in conversation. He presents himself as a clever, lively, pleasant and clearly capable young man - which he is - but inside you know he's ambitious, determined, fearless and highly competitive - which he definitely is.

He rarely reveals that side outside of football, but let it slip last week when travelling in a small convoy of cars across the winding roads from Ballygawley to the Tyrone press night in Carrickmore. Cavanagh keenly chased a team-mate's car in front of him and seemed intent on dropping the one behind him.

Later, when Cavanagh describes that drive as "good fun", it becomes a little clearer why he always talks about enjoying his football so much. It must be the similar thrill of the game, the near hits and near misses and the chance to race down the field until the ball is either over the bar or settling in the back of the net.

His love of the game must also be heavily dependent on that thrill, because he can hardly be driven by the hunger for success. Although only 22, Cavanagh has effectively achieved it all: All-Ireland medals at every grade from minor up, two All Star awards, and the honour of playing for Ireland in the International Rules. His professional career, too, is well ahead of schedule, and next year he'll have his full chartered accountant's qualification.

"Aye, I just love playing Gaelic football," he replies when asked what it is that drives him. "I would play in Croke Park every Sunday if I could. And I know from talking with the older players like Chris Lawn and Peter Canavan that I can't take anything for granted. So the way I see it is Sunday could be the last time I set foot in Croke Park."

Unlikely, of course, and yet Tyrone's insistence on taking every chance when they can is what ultimately drives the team going into Sunday's final. Cavanagh thinks back on the season and recalls a few moments when that drive revealed itself in full, having perhaps stalled a little earlier in the season.

"Maybe that drive wasn't quite there with the team at the start of the year. I know it was hard to get ourselves up for the league matches. I remember the defeat to Wexford in the league made us lift our heads a little, and I think losing to Armagh worked to our advantage a little. It made us realise that we were beatable, and we had something to prove after that. After being beaten by Armagh we just took a good look in the mirror, and asked ourselves what we really wanted out of the year.

"At half-time in the first Dublin game was another moment, because it looked like the end of the road. We realised this was it, we had to show some character, and we haven't looked back since. Now people keep telling us we must be tired. But I feel our season only really began when we beat Armagh, that maybe we were coasting along a bit too easy before that. So from the players' point of view it's just bring it on. We just can't wait until that whistle blows at 3.30 on Sunday."

As well as his enthusiasm, Cavanagh's versatility on the field is typical of this Tyrone team. He's labelled as an attacking midfielder, and that's the way he wants it. He's never had a problem either defending the style of his team, but he won't be drawn into any take of Kerry's revenge factor from 2003.

"You can talk all you want about it, but it's two years ago now. Kerry have already come back to win the All-Ireland. We've plenty of scores to settle too, such as the defeat they gave us in the league this year, but that's not always the best way to approach the All-Ireland. If Kerry want to see it that way, fair enough, but we just see it as a trophy to be won, and we'll be going all out to win it.

"But of course to beat them in the final would be something special. To beat Dublin, Armagh and then Kerry would be some way to win an All-Ireland. Maybe even sweeter than 2003. But I just think we're in the best shape we possibly can be without the pressure of 2003."

His summer hasn't been flawless, however, and Cavanagh admits he lost a bit of form midway through it when the small matter of a possible career with the Australian football team Brisbane Lions appeared in various sections of the media. All he could do was play it down, although it is something he plans on revisiting.

"I just told them I'd get back in touch after the championship, and that's the way it's been. Sport has always been something I've just enjoyed. I work as an accountant, and work hard at that as well, but the lure of Australia obviously is huge, just from the professional aspect. Every Gaelic footballer in Ireland would like to go out there at some stage and sample that. When a story like that breaks everyone will be talking about it. The supporters, the media, even team-mates."