TAKE a look at the following Tyrone team: Michael O'Neill; Ronan McNamee, Justin McMahon, Cathal McCarron; Ronan McNabb, Joe McMahon, Tiernán McCann; Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly; Conor Meyler, Peter Harte, Rory Brennan; Darren McCurry, Seán Cavanagh, Connor McAliskey.
What of them? Well, just one - Peter Harte - started the McKenna Cup opener against Queen's and only Justin McMahon, Seán Cavanagh and McAliskey came off the bench.
Given that the line-up looks close to a full-strength side, certainly with the inclusion of goalkeeper Niall Morgan, defender Aidan McCrory and forward Mark Bradley - all of whom started last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Kerry - then it's indicative of the strength of the Tyrone squad.
After all, despite starting without 11 of the team that lined out against the Kingdom, the Red Hands still beat Queen's by 15 points. Sure, it was only against a student side and the score-line flattered the victors, but it was still fairly good scoring on a heavy, puddle-strewn pitch.
Besides the obvious candidates of Morgan, McCrory and Bradley, there are other strong contenders who could come into that first paragraph line-up.
Cathal McShane has yet to sparkle for the seniors, but he showed with the U21s how good he can be. The captain of that All-Ireland winning side, Kieran McGeary, and his brother Hugh Pat, look solid defenders as does that U21 team's full-back Pádraig Hampsey. Barry Tierney is a fine attacking wing-back and Carrickmore's Jonathan Monroe showed he could be similar, scoring a goal. Richie Donnelly is versatile from midfield up, while Niall Sludden is much better than last Sunday suggested.
The one glaring proviso is Harte has to be in any Tyrone team, at least one that wants to succeed at the top level. Peter is irreplaceable if they want to perform well against the very best sides. The Errigal Ciarán man is the creative fulcrum for the Red Hands and there aren't many, if any, who can bring the same magic to the attack as the manager's nephew.
Kerry were well aware of the threat he posed and made sure to deny him the space to make runs at the heart of their defence. Although he was Tyrone's most consistent attacker last season, his less effective display in that All-Ireland semi-final arguably cost him an Allstar (even though he converted a penalty).
Darren McCurry was tried out as a playmaker at times, but the Edendork clubman is much more effective further forward as a finisher, like Connor McAliskey.
Young Bradley has the type of pass-picking talent that's required to carve out openings in packed defences, but last year was his first senior season, he needs more time to grow into the team. Even more time must be allowed to Lee Brennan, despite the Trillick teenager's tremendous talent, and he's more of a score-taker than a score-maker anyway.
However, perhaps there is someone who could augment the attacking impetus that Peter Harte provides. This could - should - be the year Ronan O'Neill takes the step up to become a senior starter. The Omagh lad has huge ability, having announced himself to national attention as a key player on the Tyrone team that won the 2010 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship.
Of that side, only his club-mate Conor Clarke has made more senior appearances than O'Neill. It's a sign of their talent that they've been involved so much, with their substitute appearances against Kerry last year being Clarke's 42nd for the senior side (17th in the Championship) and O'Neill's 38th (12th in the Championship).
Sometimes, too much is expected too soon of young players, perhaps especially in Tyrone, whose breakthrough All-Ireland triumph owed much to the host of players who came out of the breathtakingly special All-Ireland U21 winning sides of 2000 and '01. Often, it takes more than a season or two for players to fully make the step up onto the senior stage from the U21 scene. Obviously, some players don't ever completely make the top grade.
O'Neill's fellow 2010 minors Hugh Pat McGeary, Niall Sludden and Harry Óg Conlon have all only been called up this season, while Richie Donnelly came in last year and Pádraig McNulty not long before him.
O'Neill obviously has plenty of experience of the senior set-up; it's time he made himself a settled senior starter though. Of his 12 Championship outings so far, only three have been from the throw-in; Conor Clarke has been in the starting side a dozen times.
Ronan did make a fine start last Sunday with an all-round display: converting four frees, smartly scoring a goal with a clever finish and adding two points from play. Playing at full-forward, he dropped out deeper at times to seek possession and instigate attacks. He looked in good shape and played the full match on a strength-sapping surface. However, Peter Harte still set the tone, playing a part in all three goals with a forceful foray, an unselfish pass and then a quick free.
O'Neill's performance in the closing stages of 2014 Sigerson Cup final against UCC showcased what he can do around centre half-forward, when he almost single-handedly dragged Jordanstown level before they succumbed to a last-gasp winner. Against Crossmaglen in the 2014 Ulster Club SFC, O'Neill scored 1-4, 1-3 of that from play, including the two late points that separated the sides in the end, despite being up against sticky man-marker James Morgan.
His sublime namesake Stephen was something else, but maybe we might see Ronan at last become an O'Neill county star.
A TERRIBLY sad note with which to start the year, recording the death of our former colleague Joanne Priest (nee Dale). Joanne worked in our marketing department and played a huge part in the successful organisation of the Irish News Ulster Allstars.
No matter how heavy her workload, however, you always got a smile and a joke out of Joanne. Anyone who met her will remember what a wonderful, warm person she was.
She will always be recalled fondly by her friends in our sports department. Deepest sympathy is extended to her husband Andrew, son William and her family circle.
