Michael McKernan knew he needed to stay switched on and on his guard right to the death in order to see off the challenge of 14-man Armagh.
And his razor-sharp alertness was to prove crucial as he prevented a certain goal deep into stoppage time with a game-saving tackle.
Tyrone’s keep-ball strategy malfunctioned, with ‘keeper Niall Morgan’s stumble, and Oisin Conaty pounced on the loose ball. As he headed for the gaping goal, corner back McKernan timed his challenge to perfection.
It was the defining moment that averted derby day disaster for a Tyrone side gambling on a slender two points lead by running down the clock.
“Even with Armagh going down to 14 men, we still knew we were going to have serious bother and a serious battle.
We just had to grind it out, and thankfully we did,” said McKernan.
“It’s more about just getting through that type of game. You know how hard Ulster is, it’s never easy. We’re happy to get through it, but we have plenty to work on.”
A 0-13 to 0-11 round robin win at O’Neill’s Healy Park was Tyrone’s first Championship victory in five attempts, and McKernan was happy to halt the slide.
“You’re judged by your last game, and obviously our last four Championship games haven’t been good, we came out the wrong side of them.
“Thankfully we won this one after a battle, and now we look to Westmeath.”
The Coalisland Fianna clubman got forward to shoot a crucial point to break an Orchard sequence of attacks in the second half, helping his side to carve out what was in the end a slender victory.
“I had two wides as well, so plenty to work on. It was great to get a point, everyone was driving forward, and maybe we had a wee bit more room when they went down to 14. And it was good to get out the right side of it.”
A final group game against Westmeath on neutral soil in two weeks time could well tie up second place and home advantage for an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final for Tyrone, but McKernan is taking nothing for granted.
“Against Armagh you could see the quality that Westmeath have up front, and even their defensive unit is very good. We know it’s going to be a huge battle for us.
“They won the Tailteann Cup last year, and we know what it’s going to be like, it’s going to be tough against a good side.”
But he’s happy to place his trust in red-hot Red Hand forwards Darren McCurry and Darren Canavan to deliver the scores they need on the day.
“Everyone in Tyrone and in Ireland knows the talent that those boys have.
“It’s probably about us getting good ball in, getting them a bit of space, and they’ll score.”
READ NEXT:
- Tailteann Cup venues and dates confirmed as Kieran Donnelly urges Fermanagh to make home advantage count
Derry can 'put it up to anyone' says Ciaran Meenagh after defeating Donegal
Recap as Antrim hit late brace against Fermanagh to clinch home Tailteann Cup quarter-final
- Armagh to review Rian O’Neill red card incident before considering appeal as Kieran McGeeney rues missed chances
- Recap as Tyrone withstand comeback to edge 14-man Armagh in Championship epic
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
