Tyrone defender Ryan McMenamin has paid tribute to retiring Red Hand star Brian Dooher by saying that the county could have won more if they had all followed his example.
The Clann Na Gael club man captained Tyrone to two All-Ireland’s (2005 and 2008), as well as playing in the breakthrough year of 2003, but McMenamin thinks they should have had a few more.
“Brian lifted it [Sam Maguire] twice, and probably there could have been times if the rest of the team had worked as hard as him, he could have been lifting it a couple of more times.”
The 36-year-old was plagued by injuries in recent years, and spent much of his final year as an impact sub for Mickey Harte’s men and McMenamin admits it is a shame it ended the way it did, in a thumping defeat to Dublin.
“At the end it was a pity the way he went out. He probably deserved to go out on a better occasion. He owes nothing to no-one, inside and outside Tyrone.”
“He was a fantastic leader and a very good friend.”
McMenamin also paid tribute to his bravery at battling back from any number of injury setbacks in recent seasons.
“Brian brought rehabbing to a whole new level. He came through a lot of injuries and a lesser man might have given up. He was an absolute legend, he was a winner and he will be missed.”