We look forward to the Electric Ireland GAA Football All-Ireland Minor Championship Semi Final between Tyrone and Roscommon, by taking a trip down memory lane as arguably Tyrone’s greatest ever player Peter Canavan recalls his day in Croke Park 25 years ago when the Red Hands lost out to the might of the Kingdom.

What are your memories of playing against Kerry in the All Ireland minor semi-final 25 years ago?

My memories of the day are still vivid and it was very much a case of mixed emotions. First of all, it was fantastic to represent the County because in those days Tyrone didn’t make it to too many semi-finals. It was also a massive occasion for us to be playing at Croke Park – it’s every young man’s dream to play there.

With regards to the game itself, the conditions weren’t great and I remember it being a very windy day. It was literally the old cliché of a game two halves and was very, very close. I don’t think we played as well as we did in the quarter-final and we were probably chasing the game in large parts against a very strong Kerry side.

Despite the tough conditions and the strength of the Kerry team, we gave a good account of ourselves and I had a chance to level the match late on with a free kick, but it fell just short and we went out.

We left Croke Park devastated that day and felt very much like our dream final had been snatched away from us. 

What were your worst and best moments of the game and of that Championship campaign as a whole?

That’s an easy one – the best moment without doubt was playing in the Ulster Final in Clones against Cavan. There were around 30,000 fans in the ground during our game, with Tyrone having fantastic support that day because of the Senior final. It was just a brilliant experience – one you dream of – and to win the Ulster title was a great honour.

The worst moment of the Championship campaign is coming within one kick of the ball from the All Ireland minor final. Those feelings are as strong today as they were 25 years ago.

What players stood out for Tyrone and Kerry that day?

To be honest, it wasn’t a great game. The conditions were very poor and spoiled the game as a spectacle. But if I had to pick the stand-out players from a difficult game, I’d go for Adrian Cush, Barry McGinn and Tony McGinn from Tyrone and Pa Laide from Kerry.

How special and daunting is it as a minor to line out at Croke Park in such a big game for your County?

It’s daunting for any young lad. Croke Park is such a special place and holds many memories and aspirations for everyone associated with GAA. I’d say that nowadays, the young players have an advantage when it comes to playing at Croke because they’ll have played there before. The Tyrone lads will have played there in schools and club matches, but the extra pressure will come with the game being shown on live TV.

There’s a huge prize on offer and there’s a lot at stake. It’s a showpiece final and a massive occasion, but it also presents opportunities to show everyone what you can do.

If I was to give any advice to young players heading to Croke it would be to try and ignore the surroundings and the sense of occasion and treat the day like any other normal game.

How do you rate Tyrone minors’ chances against Roscommon in the Electric Ireland Minor Championship semi-final?

In the games this season, Tyrone have played well in patches. They tend to have a spell where they lose concentration and this has almost cost them on a few occasions. Donegal missed several chances to let them off the hook, but I feel that if Tyrone play with greater consistency they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

One thing I will say about this Tyrone team is that it doesn’t have any stars – everyone chips in with scores and the support play from the substitutes is also very strong. The whole squad makes an impact in each game, like they did against Kerry, and I think they’ll go into the semi full of confidence.

Has this team been complacent, having been in control of the Electric Ireland Ulster final and eventually losing out to Mongahan?

It’s hard to say whether it was complacency or just that they were beaten by a better Monaghan side. Monaghan finished the game very strongly, Tyrone took their eye off the ball slightly and we all know how it finished up.

Tyrone will learn from that experience and I believe it’ll make them a better team. We’ve all been in similar situations before and I think the experience of losing the Ulster final will help spur them on in the future.

Why have Tyrone had so much success at minor level – is this an abiding factor in the senior team’s continued success?

There are a number of reasons, the first being the sterling work being done by the coaches at clubs and county sides from under 8’s right the way through to the first teams.

The primary school setup now is very strong, with players getting the benefit of playing in tournaments from a much younger age. The quality of coaching in secondary schools is also very high, with all schools now having access to qualified coaches through their teaching staff.

By the time these young players turn 17/18, they’re had a history of being well coached and are developed physically in a much stronger way. With regards to young players in Tyrone, Mickey Donnelly has a great crop to choose from and that’s thanks largely to the coaching infrastructure.

How difficult can the transition from minor to senior be?

It’s a huge step up, and in my opinion, that’s why the under 21 competition must remain in place. The U21 grade is crucial to help players make the step up – very few players can do it, so they need as much help as possible.

Is it a better brand of football at minor level now?  How different is it?

I would say that it is – the game has moved on. The skill and tactics have got better and better, with players now more aware on the pitch than we were 25 years ago. Positions in the game have also changed – even goalkeepers kick points now. Most players use both hands and feet for passing and scoring and I believe the skill of players across the squads has definitely improved.

Most accomplished player you have played against?

Séamus Moynihan from Kerry. He could do everything. He could read the game, he had passing, mobility and he could play anywhere. He had courage and bravery in spades and was totally reliable as a big game player. For me, he’s one of the all time greats.