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.
Steely https://t.co/8UlAuGhGwC #Tyrone
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 13, 2017
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.
