There is a feeling of freshness in Tyrone as Malachy O'Rourke has been announced as the manager, and a new era has begun.
The new rule proposals are set to be introduced in 2025, which gives teams like Tyrone more hope because they were down in the pecking order in recent years, so if they go after them right, they could accelerate their progression.
Since winning the All-Ireland in 2021, there has been a mass exodus of players from the county panel, with so many players either retiring or walking away despite being in their primes.
The hope is that under new management, some of these players would return to the Red Hand county, and make themselves available for selection again.
One player who walked away after the 2023 season was Trillick captain Richie Donnelly, but his performances never dropped as he lead his club to a county championship that year, and was arguably the best club player in Ulster throughout the campaign.
However, speaking on The Players Lives Podcast, before his county's championship final last Friday, Donnelly was asked if there is a future where he represents Tyrone again.
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“I think there could be. It very much depends, I have to go and really play to a high level in the club championship, really see where my game is at.
“Obviously with a year out it can be difficult to get back to the level. I still train and prepare to a high level, regardless of who I’m playing for, that’s just how I live my life.
“So I’d be keen to see where I’m at in terms of club championship (form) and see where it goes from there.”
Trillick lost that final by a single point to Errigal Ciaran who have a plethora of county stars themselves, including Peter Harte, Joe Oguz, and the Canavan brothers.
Donnelly wasn't the only ex Tyrone star who has hinted at making a return to the squad, as Mark Bradley made himself available to play for Ulster in the inter-provincial tournament after enjoying an incredible club season with Killyclogher.
Tyrone fans are hoping that this cameo for Ulster was Bradley's way of saying that he is interested in playing for the top level again and his old teammate Kieran McGeary was also hopeful that would happen.
Sure it’s like he never left – sharp as ever, left foot, right foot...
“He’s a handful, he always has been… it’ll be interesting to see what way it goes. Having him, potentially, as an addition to the team, would certainly be favourable.”
Now that the ball is rolling, Tyrone fans will be hoping that players continue to make themselves available for selection, with the likes of Dungannon Clarke's Paul Donaghy impressing at club level, and the Brennan brothers for Trillick.
