THERE is quite a sizeable contingent of football pundits whether they be of the bar stool ilk or more serious analysts who consider tomorrow's encounter between Tyrone and Meath as the real All Ireland Final.
It isn't. I would question such an assessment and Mayo, certainly, wouldn't agree. Just like last Sunday, it's another semi final. The penultimate step.
The omens, however, are favourable for anyone making the trip to Croke Park for this match. It could be a classic. In modern day Gaelic football, the motto is very much to build from the back and to deprive the opposition forwards scoring opportunities. Yet, tomorrow, we have the rather unusual situation where I believe the respective attacking divisions actually provide the strengths and any question marks which exist hang over the defences.
Tyrone and Meath have shown considerable on field heart and off field shrewdness this season, important factors in progressing to the All Ireland semi final.
Take Tyrone. Art McRory and Eugene McKenna weren't afraid to undertake the necessary remedial work after last year's final defeat to Dublin and have been vindicated with the performances of Ger Cavlan, Brian Dooher and Adrian Cush in the half forwards, while the decision to draft in Peter McGinnity, an astute footballing brain, to assist with their preparations, displays the sort of open mind and unselfishness which epitomises the analytical approach required to succeed at the top.
Now Meath, Sean Boylan appeared to gamble on moving established defenders like Graham Geraghty and Brendan Reilly in to the attack and bringing in "rookies" like Darren Fay, Paddy Reynolds, Barry Callaghan and Mark O'Reilly. However, his bravery or cuteness? - has been rewarded and, certainly, I have been very impressed with the manner in which the newcomers, especially, have handled themselves.
Tomorrow's match could very well be the best, most open of the year. Tyrone, whether they like it or not, were pretty much a one man attack last year; and still almost won the All Ireland. Things have changed though in less than 12 months and, although Peter Canavan still exerts enormous influence, there is a much more solid look about the Tyrone forwards this season.
Canavan, of course, is so mobile that he can appear from nowhere. like a magician. He is a great man to have on your side. But the strength of the Tyrone team which, ironically, was its weakness last year is that Cavlan, Dooher, who impressed me greatly with UCD in the Sigerson Cup and has made the extra step up in class, and Cush provide a half forward line with considerable ability and Ciaran McBride in the corner can, when the need arises, be used as a more than useful targetman. They augment Canavan superbly.
Meath's strength also lies in attack, I feel. They may be a lighter, smaller unit than traditional Meath attacks, but they play to their strengths. Trevor Giles and Graham Geraghty play deeper roles than, perhaps, was the case in the past and are as likely to be seen helping out their half backs and midfield as instigating moves.
Geraghty is a great enigma, however. His match winning ability is unquestioned but he is also capable of disappearing for long stretches. Still, Geraghty's performance tomorrow will be crucial and Tyrone wing back Ronan McGarrity has one of the most important jobs on the pitch. It is one of many intriguing duels.
Tommy Dowd is very much the engine of the Meath team and I suspect Seamus McCallan will adopt a man to man marking commission on him. It could leave plenty of space in the middle of the Tyrone defence but that is something I'm sure the Ulster champions have worked on.
If Meath are to win. then Brendan Reilly can't afford to miss the sort of chances he spurned against Dublin. He has done well, in fairness, but similar missed opportunities tomorrow - possibly from a lack of confidence which inevitably arise in a defender who is turned into an attacker - could be the difference between winning and losing.
The midfield battle will play a key role, especially given the scoring potential which exists in both teams. John McDermott and Jimmy McGuinness may hold a slight physical edge for Meath, but Paschal Canavan's mobility has been important for Tyrone this season and he also provides excellent back up for the defence. I suspect Jody Gormley will adopt the strong man approach on McDermott and attempt to hold the middle, breaking ball to his colleagues. In the Leinster Final, McGuinness's distribution was poor enough and his forwards won't thank him for a repeat. An improvement is required in that department.
Some question marks still linger about the Tyrone and Meath defences. The main weakness for Tyrone is the manner in which opposing sides manage to penetrate right through the middle. McRory and McKenna are wise men and they will have recognised this fault. McCallan is a natural footballer, but at times he tends to forget his primary duty is to defend. It is a very difficult position to play in, however you can either cover the position or do a man marking job.
One area where Tyrone have been superb in defence is the manner in which the two Devlins, Fay and Paul, have managed to handle some very highly rated corner forwards in Ulster. Their confidence must be sky high.
As ever, opposing defences will wonder how to snuff out Peter Canavan's influence. The task falls to Darren Fay tomorrow. He has done well this season, really well. He has good pace. However, tomorrow's encounter with Canavan will be a different ball game to his previous day's work on Jason Sherlock and his lack of experience might go against him. Peter is constantly making space and is a hard man to marshall.
I expect Meath to push Tyrone to the limit. The "rookies" surprised me against Dublin but, then, the Dubs were a pretty spiritless bunch that day. The young Meath players, however, haven't displayed any of the naivety which, for example, the Kerry newcomers showed last Sunday and are definitely a side with huge potential. Their day will undoubtedly come, but not this time.
Tyrone's experience last year will stand to them. It hasn't been a great year for favourites - Cork in Munster, Galway in Connacht. Derry in Ulster, Dublin in Leinster and Kerry last week have all fallen by the wayside - but expect Tyrone to defy that trend tomorrow and progress to the final.
