Colm Cooper was impressed by Tyrone's evident desire in their three-point win over Kerry and suggests they were stung into action by the criticism meted following their away defeats to Galway and Mayo in recent weeks.
The 2021 All-Ireland champions climbed out of the relegation zone after a 1-15 to 2-09 win over their old foes in Omagh, veteran attacker Mattie Donnelly the star man with a three-point haul.
In the wake of their abject All-Ireland title defence, and a faltering start to the 2023 league, Tyrone's drop-off in form had been the subject of widespread bafflement, but Cooper suggested it was type of display that could "ignite their season."
"I think maybe the sight of the Kerry jersey coming to Omagh inspired them a little bit," the four-time All-Ireland winner said on Allianz League Sunday.
"It was a good, very strong performance. I think they were stung by the criticism, particularly over the last week. They were called into question, in terms of the hunger and the desire and whether it was still there.
"They didn't become a bad team overnight. But we were just waiting for a reaction and today we saw a much more committed and spirited effort.
"It was something that was missing for the last while. I'm sure Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher were scratching their heads, saying 'what has gone wrong.' But a performance like that can get them back on track. Something like that can ignite their season.
"I think they added more variety to their play, they switched it up, they looked inside. Darren McCurry was a threat inside all day. It's a start, they still have a way to go to go. But there was huge pressure on them today and they responded."
For Jack O'Connor's side, it's a third league defeat on the road, though Ciaran Whelan points out that in the wake of All-Ireland title celebrations in 2022, Kerry's interest in the league was slacker in 2023.
The former Dublin midfielder points out that Kerry have ample time to prepare themselves for championship.
"I think it's well known that Kerry's ambitions for the league this year weren't strong. They were late getting back from holidays. Last year, they wanted momentum, they wanted a winning habit. You could tell there was huge hunger last year (in the league).
"I wouldn't be too concerned. Obviously, a patchy enough league performance so far. A little bit open at the back, not as tight as they were.
The league may not be a priority for Kerry, but Ciarán Whelan isn't writing the Kingdom off after their loss to Tyrone. #AllianzLeagues #allianzleaguesunday #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/KkOwsmbO71
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) March 5, 2023
"But when you look at it, and you break down the difference between the last league game and 7 May, there's six weeks. They play Tipperary or Waterford in that six-week period, who are not going well in the league.
"Kerry have time to go away and work on things, get a bank of fitness done. Get up to the level and refresh things. You can't write them off and I wouldn't attempt to do that.
"They'll have Roscommon at home. They generally don't lose at home. They'll get their six points, that might be enough. Get their safety and then go away and prepare for championship. I wouldn't be worried about them at all."
