Hoping to make the final step

They may only be second billing on the GAA stage this weekend, but the Allianz National Football League semi-finals are still all that matters for the four teams involved. Tyrone's recent air of invincibility is at least partly based on their all-conquering league campaigns of 2002 and 2003, and having fallen against Galway in last year's semi-finals, they're particularly fired up for their meeting with Wexford.

For Stephen O'Neill, arguably their best player of the current campaign, Sunday's trip to Portlaoise has an added purpose. Having missed the last round match against Kerry he's both hopeful and determined to pick up exactly where he left off - and put enough points on the scoreboard to help secure another Tyrone victory.

On Monday, O'Neill was named Vodafone player of the month for March. That was no contest really as his 2-27 over four games put him head and shoulders above most other forwards in the country. The only downside was the hamstring injury that gradually grew worse, and eventually forced him to miss the narrow defeat to Kerry. "It had been a wee bit tight for a while," he explains, "but I'll definitely be declaring myself available for selection for Sunday".

Tyrone will start Sunday's game with the greater expectation. Although Wexford's rate of improvement has been steadily impressive, they are this year's surprise semi-finalists. O'Neill still does his duty and plays down any suggestion of favouritism. "Pat Roe has definitely done well in Wexford. They're one of those teams where everyone works very hard for each other, a bit like ourselves really, and they're a lot more physical than people think too."

O'Neill also points towards the 2002 All-Ireland qualifier when Wexford pressed them all the way before falling by two points. Manager Art McRory had told them they'd need to respect Wexford, and those words still haven't been forgotten.

It's most likely O'Neill will play at full forward on Sunday, assuming he does start. Like his fellow Tyrone forwards he was switched around throughout the league, but the number 14 shirt - which he also wears for his club Clann na Gael - is the one he feels most comfortable in.

What seems unlikely is that Peter Canavan will be back playing alongside him, at least anytime soon: "It was a big shock to everyone when he announced he was backing out from the panel. He's been missed, and I think he's still very valuable to us. So, hopefully, he will be back at some stage of the championship.

"But most of the newer lads have done very well, especially Martin Penrose, and Ryan Mellon is starting to play well again. And we've had the likes of Brian Meenan and Peter Donnelly doing alright at midfield. We certainly believe these extra league games are far better for you than just training matches or friendlies.

"And after the difficulties of last year we want to get back to the top. That would be the feeling among any team. Maybe the hunger and desire of 2003 wasn't quite there last year. I think it showed in some of our performances, because we didn't always do ourselves justice. Hopefully we've turned that around again. Time will tell."

As for the GAA's headline act this weekend - the debate on Rule 42 - O'Neill is a little more certain if the players themselves had the vote then Croke Park would be opened to other sports. "It's still hard to know how it will go. But it doesn't look like what the players think seems to matter. Croke Park is definitely one of the best stadiums in the world, and I understand why the GAA might want to keep it for themselves. But I still wouldn't want to see any Irish team having to go outside the country to play their home matches."

TG4 will provide live coverage of both NFL semi-finals on Sunday. Tyrone v Wexford starts at 2pm, while Armagh v Mayo begins at 3.45pm.