TYRONE may have come on leaps and bounds since last year’s Ulster Championship defeat to Donegal, but Rory Gallagher insists his Tir Chonaill outfit is also an improving force.
The Red Hands blitzed Cavan in their replayed Ulster semi-final and it has been suggested in some quarters that they are the one team who could derail Dublin’s hopes of picking up a second Sam Maguire in-a-row.
Donegal came into the Ulster Championship in low-key fashion as their meeting with Fermanagh was the last of the quarter-finals, but their performances in both last four clashes against Monaghan led many to re-evaluate their chances of making a mark at provincial and All-Ireland level.
“I think we are better,” said Gallagher.
"We played in some ways, in the last day against Monaghan, as an attacking force as well we ever did.
"Obviously we would be disappointed with the concession of goals, but we would be very content with the place we are and the quality of players that are available to us."
One of the plus points of being taken to a replay by Monaghan in the semi-final is that full-back Neil McGee has now served the two-match ban picked up against the Ernemen.
Tyrone will ask a lot of different questions to those posed by the Farneymen, and Gallagher is expecting another titanic tussle.
"They bring an awful lot of good players,” said Gallagher of the Red Hands.
"They have just kept building and building. They have a very similar style play to ourselves; they get bodies behind the ball. It is going to be a huge challenge.
"Mickey Harte is building another new team. I think every set up and players feel the pressure to deliver.
"I wouldn't say he [Harte] has any different pressure than ourselves. But at the same time, they want to be Ulster champions. But so do we."
Reaching a sixth Ulster final in-a-row is no mean feat in itself, and Gallagher was quick to pay tribute to his players.
He added: "It's a massive achievement for this group of players, for the players that have been there for all six and for the lads that have came in, it's a phenomenal achievement, and I think it is great credit to themselves and to the county as a whole, for the effort and the dedication they have put in.
“But at the same time, that is very much parked now - it is all focused on Sunday and trying to get over the line. It's going to take a huge effort, no doubt about that.
"I think the season has been steadily building since the 12th of June for us, and likewise for Tyrone. We felt if we could do our work and get to an Ulster final, it was likely that it would be Tyrone, and that's the way it has transpired.
"I think we are the two best teams in the province. It's set for a titanic struggle. It's an occasion we have got used to, but never have taken for granted. It's a very special prize to be Ulster champions".
