NIALL SLUDDEN says January is a crucial month for Tyrone and they must make the most of all the pre-season opportunities offered by the Dr McKenna Cup.
The Tyrone star views the competition as the perfect platform from which to launch themselves into the 2017 season and he believes the series is growing in importance with every passing year.
The Red Hands begin the defence of their title at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday when they take on Cavan: “I think every game is really important nowadays. Maybe years ago, you wouldn't have looked on those games as being great preparation coming into the season but, now, it's really important coming into the McKenna Cup and the league,” he said.
“I know for myself, coming in last year, and for any younger boys trying to break into the team, it's really important because it gives you a chance to play against good players.”
Tough games against Ulster University and Donegal follow, but Sludden is grateful for the opportunity to take on teams with real quality. Three of Ulster's four Division One teams are set to battle it out in the 'group of death' over the next couple of weeks.
“It's a really tough group. We faced Cavan a couple of times last year and we have got them in Division One as well," he added.
“We're going to be meeting them again, and this year we're going to be playing against the top tier teams in Division One, so it will be a good test early on. And you have Donegal and Jordanstown, who have a number of quality county players, so it's going to be really tough.”
Manager Mickey Harte will trial newcomers, test systems and re-integrate experienced players back into the team during the course of the series. Adapting to the mark will be just one of the many challenges facing the Red Hands as they seek ways to improve on the 2016 season, which came to an end at All-Ireland quarter-final stage in a narrow defeat to Mayo.
“It will give us a chance to work on systems, different things, getting things checked out and trying them out as well. So it should give us a good framework before we go into the league and there will be high intensity in those games as well,” said Sludden.
Former Tyrone star Mattie McGleenan faces his home county in his first competitive game as Cavan manager on Sunday, bringing an extra element of intrigue to the occasion: “There's always an edge anyway, but that gives it an added edge. They're obviously going to be massively up for it. First game, they'll want to be setting down a marker, but it's the same thing for us," said Sludden.
“We'll want to go in there first game and get a win on the board and take it from there.”
Tyrone's challenge for a sixth successive McKenna Cup triumph will be far from straightforward. Just as important as the title will be the target of five games, rather than three, to maximise preparation for a return to Division One of the National Football League next month.
“We'll look forward to the Cavan game, then take it from there. Any competition we enter, we want to win, and we'll be going out hopefully to do that,” he addded.
Sludden has been a busy man in recent weeks. His club season didn't end until early December, when he helped Dromore to the Division One league title. Then, it was on to the Interprovincial Championship and the Ó Fiaich Cup, which saw him play in two finals in the space of 24 hours.
“I got a wee bit of a break during October from my club manager, who's a great man. But any time I get out to play is precious," he said.
“Having gone through a previous injury, you do appreciate your time that you get on the pitch, and I'm looking forward to 2017 and hitting the road again.”
Having made the breakthrough last year, Sludden enjoyed a spectacularly successful first season with Tyrone, earning an Allstar nomination at the end of it all. But he wants to push on in 2017 and take it to the next level.
“It's good to have that experience behind me and there's a high level of competition within the squad," he said.
“A number of new boys are coming in wanting to impress as well, so when you do get your chance you have to make the most of it. I suppose I did that last year, but 2017 is different to 2016, so I just want to prove myself again.”
