TYRONE manager Mickey Harte says it was a big relief to be spared the anguish of the early morning Qualifier draw this week.
The back door lottery has been something of a ritual for the Red Hands since its introduction, but for the first time in four years, they have avoided the first round.
Instead, they’re preparing for an Ulster Championship semi-final against Cavan on Sunday week, with the firm intention of taking the direct route to the All-Ireland series.
“It is a great change not to be there. We have been there for so much now this last number of years,” said Harte.
“It was terrific to let that be, and think about an Ulster semi-final, something that we haven’t had the privilege of doing for some time.
“It is such a different place to be, and it was nice not to have to think about the Qualifiers or where you might have to travel to.”
Conor Meyler and Rory Brennan are ready to return to the Tyrone team for the clash with the Breffni men.
Both missed the first round win over Derry with hamstring injuries, but Harte confirmed they have regained full fitness, and are in line to start at Clones.
Meyler suffered the injury back in March, but made a substitute appearance in the NFL Division Two final against Cavan, before aggravating the problem soon afterwards.
He should be (available). He hasn’t taken part in full training yet, but maybe that’s the reason why. A number of these boys realise after time that you can’t rush certain injuries, particularly hamstring injuries, and if they attempt to rush them, it sets them back,” said Harte.
“I think Rory Brennan learnt that, and so did Conor, but I hope they’re on the right side of it now, and I believe they are.”
Ronan McNabb could make his return after a 10-month absence with a cruciate ligament rupture.
“Ronan McNabb’s in good shape. He never had an issue with his fitness, it was game or match fitness that was the problem with him, so he’s definitely staking a claim for inclusion in the squad,” said Harte.
“He wasn’t in the last day because it came too early for him, but he’s pointing in the right direction, he has worked very hard, and he has a reasonable chance of making the 26.”
But the McMahon brothers, Joe and Justin, along with their Omagh clubmate Conor Clarke, are rated as doubtful for the Clones clash.
