Owen Mulligan feels that poor shot selection from the Tyrone forwards was a big factor in their All-Ireland final loss to Dublin.
Mulligan claimed Sam Maguire in 2003, '05 and '08 as part of a forward line that also featured the talents of Peter Canavan and Stephen O'Neill.
However, Mickey Harte tasted defeat in the final for the first time today at the hands of Jim Gavin's unstoppable Dubs, and the Cookstown man highlighted the lack of impact up front - Tyrone's front six scored just five points from play between them.
"The shot selection was very poor and the forwards kind of let us down on the day." he told RTÉ Sport. "Forwards hitting with the outside of the boot when the shot wasn't really on.
"We got off to a dream start. The first 15 minutes we were coasting. We were in Dublin's faces and it was perfect.
"A bad shot selection from (Cathal) McShane, they went up the field and scored a point. A bad kickout from (Niall) Morgan and then the penalty.
"I probably don't think it was a penalty but the game is over at that stage."
Poor shot selection cost Tyrone, believes @owen_mulligan, while @Goldieface was impressed with Dublin's workrate and defensive subs #DUBvTYR #GAA pic.twitter.com/URfQWXZA4o
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 2, 2018
Tyrone trailed by seven points at half-time, 2-07 to 0-06, and looked a beaten docket for most of the remainder until closing the gap to four in injury-time after Peter Harte converted a penalty won by Colm Cavanagh.
"I didn't feel Dublin were being pushed the way we should have," reflected Mulligan.
"The last 10 minutes Tyrone reverted to Plan B, putting Cavanagh in to full-forward. I thought that was working and they should have done that a bit sooner.
"They were getting joy from it. Cavanagh got the penalty, Cluxton flapped at a few. "
Mulligan conceded though that no matter which tactics were employed, the men in blue weren't fazed.
"Dublin seemed to adapt to whatever Tyrone threw at them and that was the difference.
"Whatever other teams throw at them that's when Dublin become better.
"It seems to be on the pitch. Jim Gavin doesn't have to come and make these decisions, the men make them themselves and that's what makes them a special team."
