After seeming to get their championship season back on track with an impressive win against Donegal in the preliminary quarter-finals, Tyrone appeared to be quietly building momentum as we entered the All-Ireland series.
The Red Hands had exited the Ulster championship in dramatic fashion after losing out to Monaghan, and were handed a tough pool stage draw alongside Galway and Armagh, but the fact their best performance of the year came after those games had punters raising an eyebrow in expectation.
For Tyrone, however, it all fell apart on Saturday afternoon, as they were thoroughly dismantled by an impressive Kerry side at Croke Park.
The final score of 2-18 to 0-12 did justice to what was a poor Tyrone performance, and they are now left to contemplate what needs to change for 2024 and beyond.
With joint managers Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan now out of contract, their future will be under the spotlight. Speaking to the media after Saturday's All-Ireland exit, Dooher hinted that he and Logan may choose to step away from their role, as he looked back on their three-year reign in charge.
READ HERE: David Clifford Almost Embarrassed By Praise From GAAGO Panel For Astonishing Skill
Tyrone: Brian Dooher uncertain about future of joint-manager duo
Brian Dooher spoke after the final whistle in Croke Park, and was asked about his and Logan's future with Tyrone.
Dooher, who captained Tyrone to All-Ireland glory in 2005 and 2008, said that the pair had not discussed their future yet. However, his inclination to reflect on whether their time as managers had been a success hinted that stepping away from the role is a distinct possibility:
We haven't given our future any thought. Our three-year term is up, we'll sit back and reflect on where we are and on the best way of moving Tyrone forward.
I suppose you could say it [their time in charge] is a success. The way we look at it is you want to leave Tyrone in a better place than you got it. That is what the players do when they go out every day, they want to leave the jersey in a better place than they picked it up in - the management and backroom team are the same.
We'll reflect on how we did over the last three years. We have had some good days and some bad days. We would have liked this year to have finished a bit better but it didn't happen. That's life and we just move on.
Dooher and Logan took over as joint managers of Tyrone in late 2020, and guided them to an unexpected Sam Maguire crown the following year.
READ HERE: Hawkeye Fails Again At A Critical Juncture Of Armagh-Monaghan Quarterfinal
11 September 2021; Tyrone joint-managers Brian Dooher, left, and Feargal Logan lift the Sam Maguire Cup after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Mayo and Tyrone at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
They have failed to claim any further silverware in the two seasons since, and the manner of their quarter-final defeat to Kerry will no doubt have fans wondering if it is time for a change at the top in Tyrone.
SEE ALSO: Kieran McGeeney Calls For Rules Change After Agonising Armagh Defeat To Monaghan
