Tougher route to semis may have Tyrone sharp enough

Since making the breakthrough in 1956, Tyrone footballers have won the Ulster title ten times, with just two attempts at the All-Ireland thwarted, by Kerry in 1986, and Dublin eight years ago.

This year, it’s reckoned they have the best chance of all to make history, except that they face a mighty hurdle in the first of the Bank of Ireland championship semi-final in Croke Park tomorrow.

Kerry provide the opposition and, mainly because of the way they lost to Armagh 12 months ago, Páidi Ó Sé’s team has an added incentive to get back to the final. An intriguing pairing, it promise to be a terrific contest.