A chance encounter with former Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton helped Niall Morgan hold his nerve and convert a late two-point free as Tyrone beat Mayo 0-22 to 1-18 to secure a place in the last eight of the All-Ireland SFC.
The Edendork man had earlier converted a pressure 45′ to level the sides, before coming forward to kick the winner from two-point range with 90 seconds remaining.
“We met Johnny Sexton in the campus at Easter time, whenever we were over, just by chance. A few of us got to chat to him and he just said about the importance of going through your routine and taking your time,” Morgan told BBC Sport NI.
“At the end of the day, you’re there to do a job and sometimes it’s not the nicest or the easiest of jobs.
“Some days you’re well ahead and you’re going to hit the free kick. To be going up to hit one that ended up winning the game is a wee bit special.
“Just trying to relax and get your breathing down and just thinking about what you’re going to do.”
As Morgan was coming forward to take the kick he said the thoughts of his last-gasp miss in their Ulster SFC preliminary round loss by Armagh were racing through his head.
But, words from club-mate Darren McCurry, who kicked six points after coming on as a second-half substitute helped provide clarity.
“Armagh that’s what was going through my head. That Ulster game and having the chance to equalise in the last kick, basically. I completely rushed it that day and I was so disappointed after the game that I’d done that.
“Darren McCurry just said to me, just relax, as I was going past. If he’s happy to let me hit it, it just gives you the confidence. Because going forward, the form that he was in and he was giving me the go-ahead, that just thankfully went over.
“It’s just a typical Tyrone and Mayo game, chaotic from start to finish. We’re just delighted to get over the line, thankfully.”
The Red Hands join Galway, Louth and Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in two weeks’ time.
“Having the week off is massive. Especially if you look at the teams that are now in that draw, it’s going to be dog-eat-dog next weekend.
“We’re going to get a chance to go a wee bit later, probably Tuesday night, and then build again for the weekend after,” Morgan added.
“Ultimately, your aim is at the start of the year is to get to Croke Park and thankfully we’re going to be there.”
