McAliskey: Defeat to Kildare isn’t an option

Tyrone’s Connor McAliskey scored two sublime points against Dublin although he did miss a goal chance

CONNOR McAliskey recognises that Tyrone simply must produce the goods against Kildare this Sunday if they’re to avoid being sucked into a fight for survival.

The mood is one of pensiveness after back-to-back league defeats to Galway and Dublin, even if they produced a markedly improved performance against the All-Ireland Champions at a dank Healy Park on Saturday evening.

Division One newcomers Kildare have a similar lamentation following successive defeats to Dublin and Monaghan in their opening matches.

Something has to give and McAliskey assures that Tyrone will move heaven and earth to get a positive result at the third time of trying.

“To say that it’s a must win game is an understatement. They are in a similar position to us with nothing to show for their efforts from two outings and we need to get points on the board and begin to climb up the table.

“It’s a way too early to talk about relegation but there is no doubt whoever loses on Sunday is in trouble. From our point of view we have still tough games with Monaghan, Mayo, Donegal and Kerry coming up but all the focus is on Kildare this weekend.

“The changing rooms at Newbridge are small and the pitch is tight so we are under no illusions that a real battle lies ahead for us.”

The full inteview with Connor McAliskey is available in store today or online here.