Defeat to Donegal may have scuttled Tyrone’s All-Ireland prospects for many people, but history tells us that that needn’t be the case.
Tyrone have won six Ulster titles under Mickey Harte but only once have they gone on to contest the All-Ireland final on the back of conquering the province on Harte’s watch - in his first season in 2003.
Subsequent All-Ireland wins in 2005 and ‘08 as well as last year’s final appearance came via the back door.
Their defeats in the qualifiers have been sparse with Sligo (2002), Laois (2006), Kerry (2012) and Armagh (2014) the only counties to have beaten them over the years.
Their array of victories includes a hard-fought 1-17 to 0-15 win over Longford in the second round in 2011, when Tyrone went on to reach the quarter-finals where they were well beaten by eventual champions Dublin.
Sean Cavanagh played for Tyrone in that game eight years ago and can see it mirroring today’s meeting at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park as Longford play their first home game of the Championship after a draw and defeat after a replay against Kildare in Tullamore and a qualifier victory in Carlow.
“It's a tough place to go, there was maybe a kick of a ball in it with five or 10 minutes to go,” said Cavanagh.
“I think they beat Derry down there, beat Mayo down there, did they nip Monaghan up in Clones a couple of years ago. So are they capable? Yes, they are.
“I just think Tyrone are too experienced. I suspect Longford will try to stay in the game as long as possible and it wouldn't surprise me if the game was close with five or 10 minutes to go.
“But do I foresee Tyrone losing? No, I don't. I think Tyrone have way too much quality and eventually will probably squeeze through.”
VERDICT: Tyrone
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