Tyrone have double the incentive

Tyrone travel to Markievicz Park this afternoon looking to retain the All-Ireland under-21 football they won some 17 months ago. Extending their reign a little longer than usual was the cursed foot-and-mouth crisis, which at one point also threatened their actual participation.

Once common sense prevailed and the competition was rightfully postponed, Tyrone continued their title defence with ruthless efficiency, first with an Ulster final win over Fermanagh and then a hammering of Cork in last month's semi-final.

Now they meet a highly-regarded Mayo side, searching for their first title since 1983. Their semi-final win over Meath back in April was particularly impressive, and they've already handed Tyrone a defeat this year, in the final of the Hastings Cup back in March (albeit by a point after extra time).

Yet there are a couple of aspects to this Tyrone that make them a slightly more formidable outfit. The majority of players were bonded on the minor team that lost the All-Ireland in 1997 and then won it a year later. Also carrying them through to the next grade has been the same management partnership of Fr Gerard McAleer and Mickey Harte.

"So many of these players have been very closely linked together since 1997," explains Fr McAleer. "And having won this title last year, they are very determined to win two in a row, not just for the record but to truly fulfil their potential.

"They have a bond now from playing together and by being successful together they have developed a very strong self-belief. We just preach a brand of total football. We don't run players into the ground at training sessions, and it's very much skill-based training and sound tactical understanding."

For a while, though, it had appeared the season would end prematurely. On Good Friday, the day before the original date of the Ulster final, the foot-and-mouth outbreak brought Tyrone's run to a screeching halt. Fr McAleer remembers his feelings quite well.

"Well I was sick, for two reasons. I come from a farming background, and that was probably the most sickening, but the football was a close second. We just continued to train in hope, and tried to argue that there was no mad rush. Eventually it was decided to put the whole thing back."

There is little doubt Tyrone are an even stronger force than last year. With 11 of the team returning, and none more inspiring than Cormac McAnallen, Mayo will be under no illusions about the challenge that awaits them. Minor captain Peter Donnelly is also a phenomenal partner for McAnnallen at midfield.

Unlike recent years, however, this is a Mayo team full of high-scoring potential. Under manager Kevin McStay and selector Liam McHale, the side has also developed a strong bond of their own, clearly revealed by the hard-earned win over Meath.

While Tyrone go unchanged from their semi-final, Mayo have made two changes - one in defence and the other in attack. MJ Meenaghan, who figured in the Hastings Cup, comes in at right corner back, while Trevor Mortimer has been selected at left half forward.

There is a worry over the injured Ronan Loftus (hamstring) and Marty McNicholas (back) and one midfield berth and right corner forward have been left vacant until closer to throw-in in the hope both players can start.

Both sides have a significant senior presence, with Conor Gormley, Michael McGee, Stephen O'Neill, Brian McGuigan, Kevin Hughes, Eoin Mulligan and McAnallen part of the Tyrone team. Mayo can look to Sean Grimes, Loftus, McNicholas, James Gill and Trevor Mortimer.

Though Tyrone seem to have the greater depth, just don't rule out the prospect of a draw. Of the seven previous finals that Mayo have appeared in, four have gone to a replay.

MAYO (U21 football v Tyrone) D Clarke; MJ Meenaghan, P Kelly, K Duignan; E Casey, B Prendergast, S Grimes; AN Other, J Gill; C Lyons, A Dillon, T Mortimer; AN Other, B Maloney, C Mortimer.

TYRONE: P McConnell; C Gormley, D O'Hanlon, M McGee; C Meenagh, G Devlin, P Jordan; P Donnelly, C McAnallen; R Mellon, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; E McGinley, K Hughes, E Mulligan.