Champions get their timing just right

Ulster SFC Semi-final/Tyrone v Donegal: Although Tyrone's form was lacklustre a fortnight ago against Fermanagh, they still have the immaculate timing of champions. The re-introduction to midfield of Ger Cavlan, the return to full health of Brian Dooher and the emotional charge that will anticipate the comeback of Peter Canavan are perfect tonics for the All-Ireland champions for this tricky assignment.

The most obvious reference point for this match is the early February lecture that Tyrone delivered to Donegal in the McKenna Cup final, an occasion distinguished by the sad fact that it proved to be Cormac McAnallen's grace note for his county. Ten years have passed since the county's duelled in summer: a Tyrone victory in that Ulster semi-final marked the beginning of the Canavan era and was a funeral dirge for Brian McEniff's All-Ireland winning side of 1992.

How greatly circumstances have changed: back then, the prospect of an Ulster final getting a Broadway billing in the city would have been laughable. The announcement is a carrot for both counties, offering Tyrone a reprise of their All-Ireland success and Donegal the chance to make right the regret that lingered after their brave All-Ireland semi-final loss to Armagh. However, so tilted is opinion towards a Tyrone win that the final has already been floated in the public conscious as a re-run of last September's derby.

Such presumption, however unintentional, is disrespectful to a Donegal team that have established their play-off credentials over two seasons, despite the shadowy world of winter mediocrity and summer exhibitionism they appear to favour.

Donegal's most consistent quality has been their ability to raise their temperament and finely tuned style against the powerhouses of the modern game.

It does not get much bigger than Tyrone. The champions have an advantage at midfield, where Donegal are still blooding the novice partnership of Brendan Boyle and Brian McLoughlin. That said, Donegal have enough light, athletic players packed around the middle of the park to subdue Seán Cavanagh's exuberant qualities.

A key ploy for Mickey Harte this season is the placing of Kevin Hughes on the edge of the square and he will encounter an under rated full back in Ray Sweeney.

The teams look about even along the flanks though the loss of Kevin Cassidy from the heart of those peripheral skirmishes is inestimable from a Donegal perspective. However, Michael Hegarty has been cleared to play and he has the vision to cause Gavin Devlin problems at the heart of the defence.

The return to Brian Roper adds a robust energy that was perhaps lacking against Antrim. The key equation for Mickey Harte lies with Donegal's pairing of Adrian Sweeney and Brendan Devenney. However, if Brian McEniff's men cause an upset, it could well be because they possess the X-factor in Christy Toye and Colm McFadden.

If Tyrone are to lose their Ulster crown, it will probably happen tomorrow. They have looked less than invincible since the tragic departure of McAnallen and have yet to be really found out for that.

Donegal, when in full flight, have the requisite skill to trouble the best. The great drawback for them here is that they are emerging from a season of lower-tier football and a non-entity of an opening round game. The combination of that ring rustiness and the sheer mystique that Canavan's presence will bring to the Clones theatre, still makes Tyrone a safer bet.

TYRONE: J Devine; R McMenamin, C Gormley, C Gourley; J McMahon, G Devlin, P Jordan; G Cavlan, S Kavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; M Harte, K Hughes, O Mulligan.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver; E McGee, B Monaghan, S Carr; B Boyle, B McLoughlin; C Toye, M Hegarty, B Roper; C McFadden, A Sweeney, B Devenney.