“It was a ferocious battle out there,” he said. “It was our third week in a row, and at times we looked leggy in the second half. And last week was a big emotional game for all of us, and we might have taken a bit more out of the legs.

“Croke Park is an unforgiving place if you haven't got legs. I thought at times Tyrone almost looked like they had a bit of extra freshness. But what a battle. Tyrone stayed with us right to the wire, as we talked about. So, all this foolish, loose talk that was going on for the last week or so has blown out of the water today.”

Tyrone’s ability to hang in impressed O’Connor. “We were never able to get away from them. I thought there was times, maybe in the second half, we snatched it a couple of two-pointers. We had a great goal chance that we appeared to over-elaborate on. Any of those (two-pointers) going over, I think, would have settled us. But we were never far enough away to relax.

“Tyrone just hung in there, and they were highly dangerous in the break. They're very efficient with the ball. Well-coached, well-coached team. So, well done to Malachy O’Rourke and Ryan Porter. They did a great job with that team. I think they've improved significantly from last year.” 

The last play, which developed into Armin Heinrich’s goal, was “crucial”, O’Connor said. “It looked like we'd lost the ball and then David (Clifford) got a hold of it. No better man knew the right thing to do. Worked it into the corner. Played it back out, back into the corner. That's what a bit of experience does. They've been in these situations and they've learned from them.

“There was some finish in the end. I wasn't even sure at the time who got it (the goal). But it was some relief to see that one hit in the net.” 

For the second week in a row, O’Connor found plenty of reason to applaud Dylan Geaney, who was the official man of the match after scoring eight points. “He had an incredible performance. In the end, he had cramped up so we had to take him off. But he kicked some great scores at times when we needed them.

“There was one down in the second half, over towards the Cusack (Stand), a two-pointer. I felt at the time that was a massive score because we were struggling a bit. And it just kept our noses in front.

“I don't know, was that a man of the match? He was in the conversation last week as well, along with David. David had to get it last week, but I'd say Dylan comfortably got it this week. Unbelievable, yeah.” 

O’Connor confirmed Brian Ó Beaglaoich was ruled out with a back spasm. His replacement, Gavin White, also put in an eye-catching performance. “He just gave us great go-forward momentum. He didn't know he was in the team until this morning, but what a replacement in Gavin.”