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Brian Dooher firmly believes that actions speak louder than words.
The Tyrone captain, who continues to defy the passing years as well as a recurring groin injury, proved that in some style in the unforgettable 2008 All Ireland victory over Kerry.
But at half time against Kildare on Sunday when Tyrone’s crown appeared to be slipping Dooher’s well chosen words at half time steadied the ship.
A fired up Tyrone came out with all guns blazing in the second half, hitting six points without reply to go two clear.
“I thought Brian showed the way. He was just unbelievable,” said Owen Mulligan.
“He did most of the talking at half time and you could hear a pin drop.
“He’s the kind of captain who won’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.”
Tyrone players didn’t need reminding that they had missed out at the quarter-final stage both in 2004 and 2007.
Dooher used those massive disappointments in rallying the troops when their backs were very much against the wall at half time.
“We weren’t panicking, but there were some harsh words spoken at half time.
“We were all very much aware of how down we were after losing to both Mayo and Meath and we were determined to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.
“Beating Kildare would ensure our championship was still very much alive and that we would all remain very much part of a special group of players.
“Had Kildare won, it would have been a very long road back home to Tyrone facing the prospect of no meaningful football for close on six months,” he said.
Mulligan’s timing last Sunday couldn’t have been better.
For when it mattered most he stood up and was counted.
Too often in this championship season he has been a peripheral figure with games passing him by.
There were even suggestions that his best days were in the past.
But he confounded those critics with a masterly attacking performance.
Dooher’s well chosen words of wisdom must have struck a chord with the Cookstown clubman for early in the second half when the game was still very much in the balance he kicked three crucial points.
It was vintage Mulligan and how Tyrone needed that special spark and inspiration.
“People might say we weren’t tested, but fair play to Kildare — they pushed us all the way.
“Credit to Kieran McGeeney and Paul Grimley — they had Kildare flying and we were lucky enough just to edge it.
“But while we didn’t set the world alight in the Ulster championship we’ve been working our socks off in training and that stood to us especially in the second half of the Kildare match.
“It was a high quality 70 minutes and we were under big pressure in the first half, guilty of making too many unforced errors.
“But we got that sorted out at half time and that made all the difference,” Mulligan said.
“Now it’s all systems go for the game against Cork and we’re all very focused for that one.”
