Tyrone captain targets strong start to 2027

Tyrone's Brian Kennedy and Joe O'Connor of Kerry ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Brian Kennedy says Tyrone are determined to start 2027 on the front foot and ensure they are in the Sam Maguire.

The Red Hands struggled in Division 2 of last season's Allianz League, so much so that they were threatened by the unthinkable prospect of demotion to the Tailteann Cup. With that in mind, the Tyrone captain wants his side to hit the ground running next year.

"Division 2 is a lot harder to get out of than what most people would think," he told The GAA Social.

"The new layout of Tailteann Cup brings a bit of jeopardy and every team will be thinking the same way."

Despite their indifferent League form, Tyrone went on to reach the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals, beating champions-elect Mayo along the way.

"Obviously, you're envious that you should be out there and do the same," the 2021 Sam Maguire Cup winner admitted.

"You wouldn't be up in Garvaghy [Tyrone training complex], grinding away if you didn't think there was an All-Ireland in us, but there are as many as 12 teams thinking the same way.

"You see how Louth have progressed over the last number of years and now they are a serious contender."