By Alan Rodgers

A LEAGUE season which has gone almost exactly to plan for the Tyrone hurlers so far is now reaching a critical stage as they bid to maintain their bid for promotion from Division 3A.

Under the guidance of Michael McShane, the county’s hurlers have continued to impress. Their victory over Armagh last weekend was especially noteworthy, and means that they are now in pole position to at least reach the league decider.

Add in their big win over Warwickshire and a vital away draw with Roscommon and it’s evident that the Red Hands are on a roll. But there is still work to be done, and first up is an important away tie against Monaghan at 2pm on Sunday in Inniskeen.

The past two years have seen Dean Rafferty develop into a key member of the Tyrone defence. The Carrickmore, Eire Ogs player is under no illusions about the task facing them as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record.

“Two wins out of three and then the draw against Roscommon is a great place for us to be in at the moment. I think it leaves us top of the table. But we’re not looking too far ahead because it’s the next game that counts and that next game is always in our sights,” he said.

“Our aim will be to keep producing the performances. Home advantage counts and it’s important to do well at home because it’s massive.

“Monaghan is our next game this weekend and that’s going to be another tough game. The matches between us are never too one-sided and we know from the past how difficult they are to defeat down there.

“They’re a really dogged side who always like to be in there challenging. They beat Louth at the weekend and we have to remember that the whole division could be thrown wide open by just one result. If Monaghan got a win, then it would make a big difference.”

Nobody will be in any doubt about how important the win over Armagh was. The nine-point victory was recorded following a determined performance and more of the same will do nicely indeed for the Red Hands as they prepare for this latest clash.

McShane, is also hoping that there will be a number of players returning from injury as he aims to strengthen the panel ahead of the league run-in and the Nickey Rackard.

For now, though, the focus is on Monaghan, according to Dean Rafferty.

“Score difference is massive, and if you get in front of a team the job is to keep pushing and pushing and that’s what we did against Armagh,” he added.

“It could all come down to one or two points getting you into a league final.

“We’ve been building the momentum every game, the management has been top class and it’s just keeps getting better and better.”