Darren McCurry believes that Tyrone are coming good just in time ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final with Kerry.
Having stuttered through much of the League and Championship this year, Tyrone were on the brink of elimination as Westmeath’s John Heslin lined up a late free against them just nine days ago, but they survived to record a comfortable win over Donegal on Saturday.
It was just Donegal’s second Championship defeat in Ballybofey since 2010.
McCurry said: “I thought we managed that game very well. In recent games, in the second half we have tended to dip off a bit.
“But this time I thought we looked in control that whole game.”
He added: “I think we’re just peaking at the right time. We have done a lot of hard work over the last number of weeks.
“We have shown parts of how we can be.”
The Kerry game will be Tyrone’s first at Croke Park since beating Mayo in the 2021 All-Ireland final.
“It’s every man’s ambition in this team to get back to Croke Park, to get back to playing big games,” McCurry stated.
“That was the aim at the start of the year, to get back to Croke Park, and we have accomplished that.
“We have obviously a very tough draw, and we have a lot to work on, but a lot to look forward to.”
The form of Darragh Canavan has been timely for Tyrone, and he chipped in with another 0-5 on Saturday on the back of his 10-point haul against Westmeath, with McCurry linking up well with him on the inside line.
“It was unbelievable what he did last week. He has been doing that in training and in games for the last number of years, but I think this year he has really stood up.
“I think we have formed a great partnership in there, we both work really well with each other, and again he hit some lovely scores.”
