Cathal McShane says 2023 is “a new start” for a Tyrone side coming off the back of a season to forget.
And the All Star forward reckons it was important to “lay down a marker” and kick their campaign off with a victory.
Last week’s McKenna Cup first round win over Fermanagh may not seem all that significant.
Read more: Conor Glass says Glen never lacked belief as clash with Kilmacud Crokes awaits
But after a rocky 2022 season, where Tyrone won just three games out of 12, putting early victories on the board is a welcome boost to Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher’s side.
The 2021 All-Ireland champions began last year with a 15-point hammering by Cavan in the McKenna Cup.
And they only managed one win in their opening seven games of the season.
They’ve already equaled that in the first week of January. Tyrone started training later than usual last year due to a team holiday.
They found themselves playing catch-up and never looked at the races as they suffered a spate of red cards.
The Red Hand exited Ulster at the hands of Derry and then lost to Armagh in the qualifiers.
“Every time you go out and put on a Tyrone jersey you are looking to represent the people of your county as well as yourself, club and family,” said McShane.
“It's 2023 and this is a new start for all of us.
“It was important to begin the new season with a win and to lay down a marker to show that this is how we want to continue.
“Fermanagh played very well in parts. We just need to keep the head down and keep working hard. We will push on now for our next game.
“Obviously, it's a new year and we are back together training now for a number of weeks.
“The aim was to get back at it, get a good performance in and get two points on the board.
“Obviously it is the McKenna Cup. It is important every year to break players in and give players game time.
“Last year didn't go the way we wanted it to go so it was good to get back out there and get off to a good start.”
McKenna Cup or not, with Tyrone looking to bounce back from a horrible 2022 and Derry on the rise after a first Ulster title in 24 years, sparks could fly when the two meet at Owenbeg on Wednesday evening.
“We are using every game to build for the League so Derry will be another tough game,” said McShane.
“They are training well and coming in off a good season last year so they will be keen to build on that.
“They are our neighbours too so there is always that rivalry anytime you play them. They were very good and very confident in everything they did (in 2022).
“They won Ulster and got to Croke Park only to fall short in the semi-final. That will motivate them to push on and improve.
“Anytime you go out to play Derry it is always a tough game and this will be no different.
“But we are just looking at ourselves and looking to improve on last year and push on for the season ahead.”
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