Tyrone’s intensity is a notch above rest: Philly McMahon

Dublin defender Philly McMahon knows that the intensity levels are just about to spike for Jim Gavin’s side as they prepare to face Tyrone in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park (4.0).

The Ulster champions have impressed en route to the last-four with their defensive system and counter-attacking style marking them out as major challengers in this year’s race for the Sam Maguire.

“Monaghan would have similar defensive structures, although they probably didn’t go as defensive as we would have thought,” says Philly.

“Tyrone would be a little bit more defensive than them, they lock it down.

“It is nothing that we haven’t come up against before tactically, but we know the intensity they bring is another notch above the rest of the northern teams.”

“We’ve always said that we’re strong as a defensive structure, not just a back six.”

The Ballymun Kickhams clubman is really enjoying his football and is hoping the good times continue to roll.

“I suppose …’15 and ’16 were really good years for me. And although a lot of people think it’s a long year, it’s actually quite short.

“It’s six games and you win an All-Ireland. So it’s quite short that way.

“So I’ve only really started playing the last two years and I hope this is my third year, playing decent football and really enjoying it.”