Tyrone still have big ambitions- Kennedy

THE last two seasons mightn’t have gone according plan for the 2021 All-Ireland winners, but Brian Kennedy says that they haven’t lost faith in their ability to dine out at the top table when the really heavy stuff starts later in the year.

It’s only early January and it’s a long and arduous path to the knock-out rounds of the All-Ireland, particularly with the new group stage format, but the Tyrone players still hold an unshakeable inner belief that they can get their hands on the Sam Maguire.

It’s obviously easier said than done, but they’ve done it before and Kennedy believes that they can do it again with Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher back in the hotseat for a fourth season in charge.

The Tyrone midfielder said, “The shift those two men put into this set up is second to none. You can’t fault them, the same goes with all the players, if we didn’t feel we couldn’t win an All-Ireland we wouldn’t be here either.

“There’s a serious belief within the squad and those two men instill that in us, that every game we have to go out and perform and do our best. It’s one game at a time’ and hopefully we can do the business again.”

Tyrone can still reach the semi-finals of the McKenna Cup if things go their way against hosts Armagh this coming Wednesday night.

Kennedy believes it’s important they book their spot in the semi-finals as they want to get a few games under their belts ahead of their Division One opener against Roscommon at the end of the month. Indeed, it’s especially important with All-Ireland winners Dublin and back-to-back Ulster champions Derry braced to play in the top flight following last year’s promotions.

“Yeah big time. These games in the McKenna Cup are vital, to not leave you running in cold to the first round of the league. So it’d be good to get the win over Armagh and get into the semi-final to run in nicely to the league. All the top teams are in there this year, it’s a very tough division one. You need to get off to a flying start and get points on the board early.”

It’s a busy schedule for intercounty players these days, particularly for the likes of Tyrone’s Trillick contingent, who played in a Division One final only a matter of weeks ago. The likes of Seanie O’Donnell and Ciaran Daly showed no wear and tear with an impressive contribution yesterday, though.

Derrylaughan clubman Kennedy said, “It’s definitely hectic enough,

“I know speaking on my own behalf I was probably one of the earlier ones out. My club reached the semi-finals of the championship and lost to Pomeroy, but then Trillick went all the way to the middle of December.

“It’s a tough ask for them to come back, but wee Seanie and Ciaran Daly did well today.

“They’re flying fit, so it’s good to see them getting the football and bringing their club form into Tyrone.”

He also hailed the contribution of Tyrone’s debut lads yesterday. There were nine newcomers in total and it should serve to heighten the competition in the squad.

“I think a lot of those young lads put their hands up, and I know we were beaten in the end but the second-half was a bit of a step up in intensity across the board. The first half, we tried hard, but things weren’t going our way. I think it was positive in that regard, for a lot of the new lads, that they didn’t show signs of nerves. There’s more to build on, and I think it’s good to get the first game under the belt.”