Winning an Ulster medal has still great value fo Tyrone defender Conor Meyler, but with the Red Hand no longer involved in the race for this year's Anglo Celt Cup, the thoughts of three exciting games in the All-Ireland round-robin has certainly concentrated minds.
In one of the games of the championship so far, Tyrone were edged out by Monaghan in the provincial quarter-final. The 2021 All-Ireland champions controlled the first half on Omagh and looked on course to progress, but a Farney resurgence on the resumption, capped off by Ryan O'Toole's last-gasp goal, saw Vinny Corey's side prevail.
Tyrone had over a fortnight to wait to see who there opponents would be in the round-robin series. Following Tuesday's draw, they've ended up in a group with either Galway/Sligo, Armagh/Derry and Westmeath.
If Sunday's Connacht final goes to form, then it will be a trip to Pearse Stadium to take on the Tribesmen in their opening game on the weekend of 20/21 May. After that comes the Ulster derby, which will be played in Omagh, before they finish up against Westmeath at a neutral venue.
A series of matches that Meyler is looking forward to.
"Definitely a renewed focus, I think we are chomping at the bit now to get a game," he said at the announcement of a five-year extension of AIB's sponsorships of the GAA All-Ireland Football Championship, AIB Club Championships and AIB Camogie All-Ireland Club Championships.
"The group stage format for me is exciting too, you are just getting an opportunity to play more games against top teams at this level. So a renewed focus, for sure.
"For us there was huge disappointment after losing to Monaghan, but you are looking at the format now, we have had a bit of time to push really hard in training, get ourselves right, analyse ourselves - where did we go wrong?
"What are we going to work on. That time has been really valuable. So hopefully it stands to us now when the group stages come."
Before the round-round series begins, the Ulster final will be contested by Armagh and Derry. The Omagh St Enda's player will be watching on. For him, provincial combat is still important.
"I wanted to win Ulster as much as I wanted to win it in any other year," he added.
"It still has the same value for me as it has any other year. It remains competitive. We do have that thing in the back of our mind that if we do lose the season is not over. One of the rewards fo staying up in Division 1 was that you knew you were going to be in Pot 3. I don't think that dilutes it in Ulster.
"If you were to ask anyone fom Monaghan, Armagh. Donegal, Down, they'd take your hand off for an Ulster medal
"Amagh v Derry will be a really good game and as a neutral you're watching on to see how both teams will set up. How will Armagh counteract Derry's defensive structure? But then Derry are one of the most efficient teams going foward - you look at the scoreline they put up against Monaghan.
"So how do Armagh stifle that. I'll be watching one with a keen eye to see where we can learn. You can't take way from the fact that Derry have been the most consistent team in the last two years."
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