By Michael McMullan

TYRONE will take on Monaghan in Saturday’s Ulster Minor League final but manager Gerard Donnelly is already turning an eye to the championship.

The Red Hands were Ulster and All-Ireland champions under Donnelly’s watch last year but it is a totally new cohort this year.

Tyrone booked their spot in this weekend’s Jim McGuigan Cup decider with wins over Fermanagh, Down and Cavan.

“It was a slow burner for us because we had players away with the schools and we had injuries so we didn’t really get to do much,” Donnelly said, also pointing to the weather playing havoc with pitches.

“We wanted to get to the league final for an extra game and we got there,” he added.

“I’d be honest and say that the three scorelines flattered us every week. Cavan missed a lot against us that day.

“Down, and I was saying to their management, there certainly wasn’t that difference between the two teams.

“Those games have been a lot tougher but we found a way towards the end in those games. It’s been good to get the wins and we’ve got good tests in every game.”

Monaghan’s narrow win over Derry in Corduff saw them top their group and book a spot in the decider.

In terms of the Championship, Tyrone have been drawn at home against Armagh in the first round on Saturday April 18th, the draw being held by the Ulster Council on Tuesday night.

“That’s what all this league is about, it’s just preparation for the championship,” Donnelly said, while also alluding to the importance of taking on a top team this weekend with silverware on the line.

“We know there’s going to be a huge step up,” Donnelly said. “They probably have seven really tight games under their belt.

“As I said, despite the scorelines (in Tyrone’s games), we have had good challenges.

“I still think Cavan could be a really tricky team to play for anyone. I wouldn’t be that keen on meeting Cavan again.”

The Breffni County were missing players on school duty that weekend and Donnelly feels the Ulster Championship is wide open.

“This is one more game in preparation,” he added of the league final.

“I think most managers are saying the big thing about the league, they’re trying to finish in the top two so you avoid that preliminary round and have a home round game.

“That’s objective number one – to get to the top two. I’m sure Monaghan are coming with the same attitude and they’d like to win it, but it’s another game for us and it’s preparation for championship.”