Tyrone return for 2026 was 'tough', admits Donnelly

Tyrone stalwart Mattie Donnelly admits it was "tough" to commit to county duties for 2026 after overcoming serious injuries in recent years.

Two-time All-Star Donnelly returned to inter-county action on Friday, scoring a goal in the Red Hands' opening Dr McKenna Cup win over Armagh at the Athletic Grounds.

The 35-year-old Trillick club-man made his Tyrone debut in 2010, and while his 2008 All-Ireland minor winning team-mate Peter Harte has stepped away from the panel, Donnelly has decided to embark on another season.

"Aye, it was [tough]," the 2021 All-Ireland winner told BBC Sport NI.

"You're always sort of on one-year contracts at this stage of the game. It was tough.

"Training's been tough, but I've enjoyed it, it's been energising with the new boys and the younger boys in, seeing them coming through and starting their journey, that's been exciting as well."

Tyrone pumped some new blood into their panel for Friday's 2-13 to 0-17 win over the Orchardmen, with Oisin O'Kane, Peter McCaughey, Conor O'Neill and Oisin Gormley all making their senior county debuts.

And Donnelly says he hopes the team can utilise the next generation throughout 2026 as O'Rourke's side attempt to build on last year's run to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

"There's definitely a good pipeline in Tyrone," added Donnelly.

"The country's well aware of that and that's what we need. We need that injection of quality footballers and quality people, it's exciting for Tyrone, it's a big step-up but the boys are well equipped to make that step-up.

"There's no denying, I'm the oldest now. It takes all sorts. Anything I can add to it, I'm willing to do so. We're trying to add all we can to the betterment of the Tyrone, that's what I'm trying to do week by week."