HE'S one of Tyrone's most experienced and trusted warriors, an All-Star, an All-Ireland winner, but Niall Sludden feels he constantly has to prove himself.
That's the way it is in an environment shaped by high standards and untold ambition.
The Dromore man has been a Red Hand regular since his Championship debut back in 2016 – a big win over Derry which he hopes to repeat in Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final.
"I think you're always proving yourself, that's the way it is. Last year was a bit different, I was just waiting for my chance but it's like anything else, you have to keep working hard, there's boys there in training as well looking for the opportunity to get into the starting 15," he said.
"Last year was a shorter time-frame but it's great to have the run of games, especially playing top-quality opposition in Division One and testing yourself.
"I've been lucky, injury-wise too. Hopefully that can continue. It's not easy trying to get into the Tyrone team.
"There was a game against Donegal in Cavan in the semi-final in 2019, I got dropped for that one. It hurt me, but I understood and obviously there's so much competition.
"Apart from that I've been lucky enough, I'm just grateful to have the opportunity, any time you play in the championship for Tyrone is class."
He was one of those late bloomers whose talents were not spotted until he was well into his twenties.
As he prepares to turn 30, however, he feels he has much more to offer, and a mileage clock that can continue to turn for some time to come.
"It's mad, I came in a bit later to my career in Tyrone, I'm turning 30 which is crazy. You don't have many players now over that 30 mark but I feel good and as long as I feel I have something to offer Tyrone and the team, and helping the younger players too. Age is just a number."
The primary school teacher, a winner with club and county last season, admits to being greedy in his pursuit of glory.
Triumph in Croke Park was followed by Tyrone SFC success with his beloved Dromore, a dream double beyond the reach of most gaelic footballers, but Sludden's eye is firmly fixed on the next big challenge.
"I haven't found it too difficult really. Being in the circle, you want more and you're always greedy, you're not satisfied with achieving that.
"A lot of people tell me when you come back to look at it when you retire, it's going to be unbelievable to look back on.
"But it's now 2022 and your sporting life is very short, I'm just ready to go back and hopefully push on this year."
Over the line in the first defence of their Ulster tile in a preliminary round meeting with Fermanagh, the Red Hands now have a resurgent Derry side in their sights.
Home advantage at O'Neills Healy Park may favour the Sam Maguire Cup holders, but this one is a real test of their substance.
"It's a massive game for both of us, they're in Division Two and were unlucky not to get promoted. They'll have their eyes set on this game but we're looking forward to it too, it's going to be a challenge.
"Every time you get past the next stage in Ulster it's only going to get tougher. We know our performance against Fermanagh isn't going to do against Derry, but we're aware of that and know it's going to be a big one."
It wasn't all plain sailing in the Lakeland. The Ernemen came out with an attacking approach, and troubled the champions until the third quarter, when Tyrone pulled away.
But Fermanagh's two late goals exposed flaws that will be a major focus in their preparations for this weekend's tie.
"There were mixed emotions in that we played well in that second-half spell and showed what we can do, but the first-half there was a bit of sloppiness and we were lacking in intensity," said Sludden.
"Then we conceded a couple of goals at the end and there was the Conor McKenna incident. But I suppose it was the Ulster Championship, a matter of job done and onto the next one and focusing on the right recovery and a big couple of weeks of training ahead of the Derry game."
