Battered and bruised Tyrone are feeling the pain

MICKEY HARTE and Tyrone are fast becoming accustomed to life as NFL and All-Ireland champions. And they have the bruises to prove it.

Their battling clash with Dublin in Sunday's Division 1A opener was a tough, physical battle with no quarter asked, or given. But that is one of the hazards of being top of the GAA footballing pedestal - everyone is lining up in a bid to knock you off.

"I had no complaints whatsoever," Harte admitted after Sunday's defeat. "Dublin played better football, they were hungrier for the ball and they played with a great intensity. They deserved to win."