Tyrone minor manager Gerard Donnelly paid tribute to injured captain Ciaran McCrystal after his side All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kildare yesterday evening.

The Red Hands defeated the Lilywhites on a 1-15 to 1-12 scoreline at Kingspan Breffni, where Conan Canavan netted the winners’ goal in the first-half, as they left themselves 60 minutes away from retaining the Tom Markham Cup.

Speaking to TG4 after the full-time whistle in Cavan, Donnelly praised his group and had some special words on skipper McCrystal, whose influence is still strong in the dressing room despite the Achilles injury which has ended his season.

“Look, Ciaran is an incredible player and an incredible person. He's a huge loss for us on the pitch, but he's still there,” stated Donnelly.

“He's still leading us and he's still our leader and our captain.”

He added: “I'm just delighted for him now that he would be there for us on an All-Ireland final day. He earned our captaincy and he will still lead us out come All-Ireland final day.

“I'm just delighted for him. He's a leader for us now, just in a different role.”

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