By Alan Rodgers

ANOTHER year of inter-county footballing action is the big choice now awaiting many of the more experienced members of the Tyrone panel as they contemplate one more season of trying to once again claim an historic Sam Maguire triumph.

The evidence presented on Saturday night against Kerry suggests that the Red Hands are more than capable of challenging strongly for the top honours sooner rather than later. But it’s a choice that they will no doubt take time to reflect upon as the pain of this All-Ireland Quarter Final loss eventually eases.

Kieran McGeary was, of course, Footballer of the Year on the last occasion in 2021 when Tyrone won the All-Ireland.

He was deeply disappointed by the result on Saturday night, but also keen to focus on the positives as they group for 2027.

“If you’re not going to come down here with confidence, then what’s the point? All the experts ruled us out and they’re own records wouldn’t be deadly against Kerry either. It was nip and tuck, our gameplan was going well and I think they got a couple of small decisions which you can’t plan for,” said the Pomeroy clubman.

“In saying that, the referee did a good job with the tempo of the game it’s not easy. We had done what we wanted to do and were looking for a couple of calls in our favour.

There were a couple of chances as well, but the lads were brave to go for the goals and we haven’t shied away at any stage this year.

“If you look for the positives, then you’ll find them. If you look for negatives you’ll find them as well. It has been an up-and-down season and they’re all going to be like that. Everyone has a rollercoaster year including the All-Ireland champions. That’s just the way it is.”

Each of Tyrone’s matches in this year’s championship were decided by the smallest of margins. A defeat to Armagh in Ulster was followed by the All-Ireland wins over Roscommon and Mayo.

Nevertheless, when the dust settles, there will be a sense of optimism for the future, and a determination to build on the progress and greater experience that has been recorded in 2026.

“The small margins have been crucial and made the difference. That’s always the way.

“The small margins went in our favour in the last two games and then today they didn’t,” added McGeary.

“In another few weeks there’ll not be many talking about our league when you get into the heat of the championship. The league is what it is, getting football, trying to get used to the new rules. Everyone things the league is the be all and end all, but you do want to do well in it.”

A Division Two campaign for the second year running now beckons Tyrone at the start of 2027 as that quest for another All-Ireland awaits for both a new generation of players and those who have seen and done it all before.