Things have started well for Tyrone in 2017.
Roscommon were beaten in Omagh on the opening day of the National League before the Red Hand pushed Dublin to the pin of their collar in Croke Park.
Tyrone left Headquarters with a point after a 1-7 to 0-10 draw that suggested the reigning Ulster champions will be in the reckoning again this summer.
The likes of
Niall Sludden and a few more younger stars have found their feet at senior level and the home side will be strong favourites when Cavan come to Healy Park this Sunday.
Manager Mickey Harte looked strangely at peace with the draw earned against Dublin, despite the fact they surrendered a five-point lead in the final quarter.
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Anyone worried the three-time All-Ireland winner Harte has lost his Mojo will be relieved to hear his competitive spirit is still definitely intact.
In his
new Mail on Sunday column, retired Kerry defender Marc Ó Sé recounted a recent fundraising event in Tyrone that he attended. On stage for a Q&A with Harte and the BBC's Thomas Niblock, Ó Sé witnessed first hand Harte's desire to win.
A raffle was being conducted in aid of AIB All-Ireland junior club football finalists The Rock St Patrick’s and, as the An Ghaeltacht player saw it, Harte was growing increasingly frustrated with each ticket drawn.
"We were about seven prizes in and three winners had come from table 25, when Thomas dipped again and the luckiest table in the house came up trumps once more.
"‘Thomas, can you not give that drum a roll and give us all a chance,’ he growled.
"I burst out laughing and, in fairness, Mickey saw the funny side of it too, but there was no denying he was caught up in the moment.
"On the long drive home the following day, it set me wondering that if he could be that driven to win a box of Milk Tray, what on God’s earth was he like when we were in his rifle sights and All-Ireland medals were up for grabs."
Harte's request for an extra year on his contract was
rejected by the clubs last year, putting his future in some doubt. With warrior Sean Cavanagh likely to call it a day at the end of the 2017 season, Tyrone will need all the experienced heads they can muster in 2018.
It sounds like Harte will has an appetite for the battle. And Milk Tray.
