Conor Meyler believes that Tyrone’s unwanted downtime will ultimately stand to them as their season resumes this weekend.
After an impressive finish to their League campaign, the 2021 All-Ireland champions were fancied to make a strong run at an Ulster title but instead they were floored in their first outing as Monaghan pulled off a smash and grab victory in Omagh last month.
That put Tyrone up on blocks for five weeks while the provincials played out, though they return to action away to Galway on Saturday in Group Two of the All-Ireland SFC.
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“I make no qualms about it,” says Meyler, “we were going for an Ulster Championship. But on reflection, the couple of weeks there has stood to us.
“Really hard training banked and a bit of time to rest and recuperate before the All-Ireland group stages, so you’ve got to take the positives from it."
The Monaghan defeat hasn’t watered down Meyler’s belief that Tyrone can still contend strongly for the Sam Maguire Cup this year, despite the fact that their conquerors Monaghan subsequently suffered a comprehensive defeat in their next outing to eventual Ulster champions Derry.
“Does it make me feel like we're further away? No, to be honest. I still think that this year more than any, the All-Ireland is so open and most teams will be looking at that, knowing that on any day they can beat each other - especially as the games go further on.
“If you do end up making an All-Ireland quarter-final, semi-final or potentially a final, I don't think we have what we had with Dublin a number of years ago when they were so dominant and there was a fear factor with them as well. They were the standout team.
“At the moment I don't think we have that. Although Derry are on an upward trajectory - and I'm really impressed by them and the work that they've done - if we were to draw them later down the line I wouldn't be fearful either.”
