Mickey McGee looks forward to next Sundays All-Ireland Final In an interview this week Mickey McGee told Kenny Curran of “The Gaelic Game” how he nearly walked away from possibly the biggest game of his career. “I’m happy that I’ve stuck it out with Tyrone.” He said, “possibly if I hadn’t got a run in the team at the end of last year I might have thought about not coming back this year. But I’m still only 24 and I love playing for Tyrone. I’m confident enough that if Mickey (Harte) ever calls on me I can do a job, and thankfully he’s called on me a few times this year and I’ve been fit to do a job for him. You feel part of the team whether you’re starting or not, but it’s better when you can actually contribute on the field.” Looking back to the replayed quarter final against Dublin, where he successfully closed down the threat of Jason Sherlock, Mickey recalled how difficult it can be playing the Dubs in their own back yard with the roar of ‘The Hill’ in your ears. “It was the most partisan crowd I’ve ever experienced,” he added, “When you’re playing you try not to think about it, but it’s impossible not to hear that sort of noise.” Of the semi final victory over Armagh, in which he held the prolific Oisín McConville scoreless from play, McGee said, “In my time with the Tyrone senior squad, that win over Armagh was definitely the most important victory I’ve ever played in.” But a semi final is only a step to a final and Mickey is looking forward to the big one on Sunday with eager anticipation. “To actually play in an All-Ireland final and walk around behind the band, stand and shake hands with the president, that’s the pinnacle of the game and everybody wants to do that.” As for the game itself he isn’t worried whether it’s going to be one for the purists or not. “Potentially it should be a great game against Kerry,” he told Kenny Curran, “but I really don’t care if it’s the worst game in history and we win it by one point to no score. I would be extremely happy with that.” It’s likely to have a few more scores than that but if McGee and his defensive colleagues can limit the normally prolific Gooch and co. Tyrone has the attacking potential at the other end to bring Sam back among the bushes for a second spell. Article courtesy of Kenny Curran Editor The Gaelic Game Newspaper (full article in this weeks Game 23-09-05) http://www.thegaelicgame.ie/
