ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL Tyrone v Kerry Sunday, 24 August, Croke Park, 1530 BST Live BBC2 NI Radio Ulster MW and on this website

Tyrone's half-forward Brian Dooher believes that self belief is the key that could take his side to All-Ireland glory.

Mickey Harte's side face Kerry in the first semi-final and the veteran performer belives that Tyrone have been growing in confidence as the competition progresses.

Tyrone failed to realise their potential last season, and fluffed their lines as Armagh went on to achieve glory - defeating the Kingdom in last season's decider.

But Dooher reckons that it is time for Tyrone to do the business now that they believe in themselves.

"That confidence comes from playing in a side that has become progressively better over the summer," said the Derry veterinary surgeon.

"Don't get me wrong, we had our scares against Derry and Down and we are not the finished article as our manager Mickey Harte points out.

We have renewed self-belief and our attitude could hardly be better Brian Dooher

''But we have renewed self-belief and our attitude could hardly be better,'' said Dooher who has so far assembled Three Ulster championship and two National League medals in his eight years with Tyrone.

But to get the chance to perform in the biggest stage of all is Dooher's big dream, and that of the whole Tyrone side.

Dooher already knows what it is like to fail within touching distance of the Holy Grail.

Seven years ago Dooher left Croke Park with a split head and swathed in bandages following Tyrone's infamous joust with Meath.

But Dooher sees the positive side of that defeat. "That was some experience," he said. "But then you have to learn how to lose before you can fully appreciate the victories."

Kerry, of course, will also have that feeling following their demise against Armagh in the last season's decider.

One player who will spark the Kingdom into life is midfield dynamo Darragh O Se.

Kerry midfielder Darragh O Se is a big threat to Tyrone

O Se could have a defining effect on the semi-final - if he is allowed to dominate with his regal strength and power.

That is not lost on Harte. ''He is a real top-class player,'' he said.

''Personally we have great memories of him from our NFL game in Killarney this year.

''I've never seen a player dominate midfield as much as he did that day.

''That's the standard you're up against, and that isn't going to go away because it's an All-Ireland semi-final.

''In fact, it's probably more likely that he'll have a serious bearing in the middle of the field.''

So the answer for the Red Hands appears to be to stop O Se making his frequent sorties upfield. Then they can start thinking seriously about claiming the Sam Maguire for the first time.

Tyrone: J Devine, C Gourley, C McAnallen, R McMenamin, C Gormley, G Devlin, P Jordan, K Hughes, S Cavanagh, B Dooher, B McGuigan, G Cavlan, E McGinley, Peter Canavan, O Mulligan.