TYRONE manager Fergal Logan needs no reminding about the huge benefits which can be accrued if the Red Hands are successful at U21 level.
When Logan was on the Tyrone squad that won back-to-back Ulster titles in 1995 and 1996, he was surrounded by players who were involved in the U21 sides that won successive All-Ireland crowns in 1991 and 1992.
Ten of the players (Chris Lawn, Stephen Lawn, Fay Devlin, Peter Canavan, Ciaran McBride, Jody Gormley, Seamus McCallan, Ciaran Loughran, Brian Gormley and Paul Donnelly) who featured for Tyrone in the 1995 All-Ireland final had won All-Ireland medals at U21 level.
An 11th player, Adrian Cush, who missed the '95 final due to injury, played in two All-Ireland U21 finals, winning one in 1991 and losing one in 1990.
While Tyrone have been hugely successful at minor level, winning four All-Ireland titles in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2010, they have failed to maintain that form in the U21 grade.
And the history of Tyrone football would suggest that success at U21 level carries far more stock. The squad which won the county's maiden All-Ireland title provides compelling evidence.
A dozen of the players who featured in the 2003 final won All-Ireland medals at U21 level.
The Tyrone County Board is now eager to address this failing. Logan spearheads a management team which includes two All-Ireland winning captains, Peter Canavan and Brian Dooher.
Irrespective of their tactical nous, the trio have wasted no time in infusing the current squad with a huge level of passion.
Before they took to the field for their semi-final against Armagh last Wednesday night, team captain Kieran McGeary said the players "were ready to take the walls down".
McGeary said the management trio have been urging the players to take Tyrone back to the top table.
"Brian [Dooher] and Peter [Canavan] and Fergal [Logan] like to remind us of where we should be and where we can get to. We always talk about doing things and not just talking about it."
Speaking ahead of tonight's Ulster final against Donegal, Logan admitted he is keen for Tyrone to lift their first U21 title since 2006.
"Part of the motivation is to bridge this nine-year gap and to deal with this age group, which is a transitional age in both football and life.
"We have set about just trying to work as hard as we can and the players have committed absolutely and fully to that. I just hope that it reaps a reward. If that asserts Tyrone a bit, then all the better," said Logan.
The Omagh-based solicitor is acutely aware of the challenge which will confront his players in Celtic Park this evening.
Last year, in his first season in charge, Logan's team was beaten by a Cavan side that went on to lift the county's fourth successive provincial crown.
Cavan were incredibly well-organised. Playing the defensive system which has become the county's house style, they swept past Tyrone.
For tonight's final, Tyrone will play a Donegal team that plays in a similar fashion to Cavan.
"Anybody that has beaten Cavan is going to fancy themselves. This is Donegal's third final and the county is riding high at the moment...
"It is all about systems and at the forefront of all that is Donegal. They appear to have cracked Gaelic football in all respects. They will be red hot going into this," said Logan.
Despite the fact that Donegal have eight players who were involved in last year's final, the Red Hands are marginal favourites for tonight's game.
Donegal will be relying on the McHugh cousins, Ryan and Eoin, Darach O'Connor, Hugh McFadden and their driving centre half-back Darragh Mulgrew.
Kieran McGeary (0-2), Cathal McShane (0-2), Conor Meyler (1-0), Mark Kavanagh (0-1), Lee Brennan (1-3, 0-3 frees) and Daniel McNulty (0-3, 0-2 frees) contributed to Tyrone's 2-12 to 2-8 victory over Armagh.
The Red Hands will face a sterner test against a Donegal side that restricted Monaghan to just 1-5.