THE 2018 GAA season may be only a few weeks old but there is already a familiar feel about it with Tyrone through to yet another Bank Of Ireland McKenna Cup final.
The Red Hands will face Donegal in the final as they bid to win the secondary competition in Ulster for a seventh year in a row, Derry the last County to win it back in 2011.
When Tyrone began this streak, Niall Sludden was just coming out of his teenager years.
The Dromore clubman was a key player on the last Tyrone side to win an All-Ireland minor title in 2010 and while he is relatively new to the senior inter-county set-up there is no doubt that he is one of the first names on Mickey Harte’s team sheet.
Two years ago Tyrone defeated Cavan at Croke Park to win the division two National football league title in what was Sludden’s debut season and he admits that playing in the top tier in 2017 was a big eye opener for him.
“There is no doubt that playing in division one is a massive step up,” acknowledges Sludden.
“You are up against the top sides in the country and I certainly found out that you haven’t as much time on the ball and your decision making is crucial.
“Whereas in Division Two you can perhaps miss a few chances and still win a game that is not the case in the top flight. The top sides will punish you and you really can’t afford to have an off day.”
Tyrone eased out of their McKenna Cup group earlier this month racking up an impressive 7-58 in the process with wins over Antrim, St Mary's and Cavan but in the semi-final they were held to eight points by Fermanagh in a game that Sludden really enjoyed.
“Knowing Ricey we knew that Fermanagh would be well set up defensively and that’s how it proved,” he said.
“He would have had them really focused to be playing the Ulster champions and they stood up to the challenge in what was a great battle. They brought physicality to the game and that will have done our young lads no harm at all as well.
“You learn more from games like that rather than beating someone by twenty points.
“When the intensity level is high your decision making has to be better and in many ways the Fermanagh game was an ideal outing ahead of the beginning of the league.”
As is the case this year, Tyrone went into their NFL campaign in 2017 as Ulster champions but after a great start they faded away.
Home wins over Roscommon, Monaghan and Cavan came either side of a battling draw at Croke Park against Dublin to leave them top of the division one table.
Dean Rock hit an injury-time free to secure the All-Ireland champions a 0-10 to 1-7 draw but on a wet and windy night in the capital it was Sludden who was the star of the showing hitting three outstanding points from play.
He admits that the end to their league campaign was disappointing to say the least.
“We went into our last three games with a place in the final very much within our grasp but then it all went wrong,” said Sludden.
“We lost heavily in Donegal and after a narrow defeat by Mayo we were well beaten in Kerry. It was a very disappointing end to the league for us and it was a reality check if you like and it made us knuckle down and prepare for the championship.
“As I said earlier, you can’t afford to have an off day in Division One or you won’t take anything from the game.
“At the moment our sole focus is on Galway this weekend in Tuam.
“It is probably one of the toughest games you could get to open the league.
“They are a strong side who are very difficult to beat at home and they have plenty of good young talent coming through from their U21 side that reached the All-Ireland final last year.
“The have also added Paddy Tally to their backroom team and from my own experience working under Paddy he will only add to them as he is a great motivator and will have them well drilled.''
Sludden also acknowledges that making a good start in the league is essential.
“It's crucial to get early points in the league but it certainly won’t be easy with Dublin coming to Omagh the following week.
“You have to get off the mark as it takes the pressure of everyone if you can get a few points on the board early on but we will have to be at our best to do so.
“Division one is the place to be as you are coming up against the best sides in the country and as a player that excites you as well as giving you great experience.
“You have to trust yourself as well as your team-mates and with the new lads coming into the panel this year it’s a great opportunity for them to prove themselves.
“The league is a stepping stone towards the championship and any side that reaches the “super eights” this year will then be playing week on week and it will be crucial to have a fully fit squad of players to choose from.
“For now though we are fully concentrated on the league and a massive challenge in Tuam this Sunday.
“We can’t look beyond that and we know that we will have to be at our best to take the two league points.”
VERDICT
IT promises to be another ultra competitive division one campaign with Tyrone one of three sides who will be flying the Ulster flag alongside Monaghan and Donegal.
They will do so without the influential retired trio of Sean Cavanagh, Joe McMahon and Justin McMahon but back to back Ulster titles suggest that they have a squad capable of holding their own in the top flight.
Allstar Colm Cavanagh will be a big loss for the opening trip to Tuam to play Galway.
Indeed the midfielder could miss the second round game with All-Ireland champions Dublin should Moy prevail in this Saturday’s rescheduled All-Ireland Intermediate club semi final with An Ghaeltacht.
Last season Tyrone took seven points from their opening four games but it will be a big ask to repeat that feat with away trips to Kildare and Monaghan following on from their clashes with Galway and Dublin.
Once again Mickey Harte’s charges have hit the ground running in the McKenna Cup and they take that momentum into the league.
It is crucial to their prospects that the likes of Peter Harte, Niall Sludden, Colm Cavanagh and newly appointed Captain Mattie Donnelly stay injury free as their leadership qualities, as well as their undoubted football ability, will be essential for the tough tests that lie ahead.
It is fair to say that the fixtures haven’t been kind to Tyrone as they also face a daunting trip to All-Ireland finalists Mayo while their three home fixtures are tough to say the least with Donegal and Kerry also due to visit Healy Park after Dublin.
Having said that Mickey Harte will embrace the challenge that lies ahead and with former footballer of the year Stephen O’Neill added to his management the will approach the campaign in a positive and confident frame of mind.
They should have enough quality to maintain their division one status and could well push for a first final appearance since 2013.
LOOK OUT FOR
TYRONE have a nice blend of youth and experience within their squad and 2018 could well be a break out year for a couple of players who have been involved for a year or two. Conor Meyler, who captained St Marys to Sigerson glory last season, will hope to push hard for a starting berth as will All-Ireland U21 winning team-mate Frank Burns.
Burns has the strength and physical power to make an impact around the middle third of the field and is a player who also has an eye for a score.
As Padraig Hampsey demonstrated last season, you have to be patient but when the opportunity comes along you must grab it with both hands.
David Mulgrew’s two goals against Armagh lit up Croke Park last year and there were glimpses of his undoubted ability when coming on as a sub in the league against Kerry and hitting two superb points in Killarney.
He is another player who will be looking for more game time in the upcoming league while it will be interesting to see how new recruits Brendan Burns, Ciaran McLaughlin and Michael McKernan fare out in their debut season at this level after impressing with their clubs in 2017.
