A preliminary round win over Cavan a few weeks prior to Christmas got Tyrone’s championship off to a solid enough start but Brian McGuckin and his management team are expecting a big obstacle in the form of Monaghan.

“Monaghan have become the standard bearers of this competition in recent times. They have tasted Ulster and also All-Ireland succcess during a productive spell over the past three seasons or so.

They did not play in the preliminary round stage, so its a first outing for the holders who will be keen on defending that title successfully. Hopefully we can produce a big display against them.

Our challenges in Ulster have been halted by Monaghan in two of the past three campaigns and we want to get on the right side of the result here.

Doing so is going to present a stiff examination but it’s one that all the players are prepared for at this stage”, stressed the St Patrick’s College teacher.

Elsewhere on the vocational scene, Markey Cup quarter-finals should soon be ready to unfold, with Tyrone U-14 and U-16 finals hopefully on course to be played next week.