Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Things might be about to get tricky for Tyrone

With success comes the questions: 'Why am I not starting? Why is he getting game time ahead of me? I’m working harder than everyone else here. They don’t rate me at all'

PRESSED: Armagh and Tyrone players jostle for position from Armagh goalkeeper Shea Magill's restart in the McKenna Cup game at Healy Park in Omagh. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

At this stage the value and quality of the Allianz National League is universally acknowledged. This year its stock will jump further in value because of the July All-Ireland final date.

Back when league games were before Christmas, Páidí Ó Sé, and Mick O’Dwyer before him, had a great expression which highlighted the insignificance of the league and the importance of timing your run for the summer assault. They aligned their ambitions with nature, by outlining the importance of coming into form with the arrival of the cuckoo.