Owen Mulligan: Roscommon are a real test, but Tyrone have enough to edge it

I made no bones about it. I fancied Tyrone for Ulster this year, but it doesn’t always go that way.

They lost against Monaghan, but I still believe it could have gone either way. Tyrone seem to like this route though of getting away games and bonding.

Mickey Harte loves that stuff, going down the night before and making the plans.

The Qualifiers have been good for them, they’ve had good games with a couple of scares along the way and that helps.

McStay is on the way

I like Kevin McStay’s game plan, he’s very direct. Roscommon gets the ball into the forwards, who are allowed to express themselves.

They might be a bit leaky at the back, but that’s the game McStay plays and he obviously trusts his defence.

I really enjoyed Roscommon’s performance against Armagh, they’re a great team to watch and you need to give them credit.

Both teams had a never say die attitude and went at each other. It was hard hitting, a real physical battle.

If Roscommon had of been beaten, Joe McQuillan would’ve gotten an earful because I thought he gave The Rossies very little. They have the likes of Enda Smith and the two Murtaghs up front, who can score at will.

Smith scored 2-1 and the Murtagh’s got six each, so they’re definitely capable of causing any team problems. They’re strong up the middle too and have real drive to succeed.

Tipping Tyrone

The Cork game was a no contest and that won’t bring Tyrone on one bit ahead of playing in the Super 8s.

Roscommon have been in some great battles, the last 10 minutes against Galway could’ve gone either way and against Armagh their big players really came through near the finish. They’ll be ready and it’ll be a very tough game for Tyrone.

We won’t be able to waltz through the middle like Cork allowed us.

Roscommon showed they can run at sides against Armagh, so we’ll need to tighten up.

Tyrone racked up a serious score though, with Connor McAliskey and Cathal McShane on fire. Then you have the likes of Mark Bradley coming off the bench, so it’s looking good for Tyrone – but this will be a huge test.

It’s going to be a really tight game, but I still fancy Mickey Harte and the boys. They have enough fire power and a much stronger squad.