Tyrone's march to last year's All-Ireland semi-final and their subsequent showing against Kerry in that last-four encounter was a strong indication that a county are back as a serious force.
It's 2008 since the Red Hand last brought home Sam Maguire and 2010 since a Ulster title was won. What followed were seasons where they threatened on occasion to be the force of old, but found the likes of Donegal and Monaghan in provincial combat and Mayo and Dublin on the Croke Park stage hurdles that were just too steep to climb.
In the last 12 months, as well as running the Kingdom close last August, they landed an All-Ireland U-21 title and last month they gained promotion back to the league's top flight and comfortably accounted for Cavan in the Division 2 decider.
Whether spring success is good preparation for the heat of summer battle remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Tyrone are a team to watch in the weeks ahead. In the betting for Ulster championship, there seems to be little between themselves and Donegal. Both counties, if they stay upright, could meet in the Anglo Celt decider on 17 July.
Mickey Harte has now built a side that has the mobility and pace to do damage with their counter-attacking thrusts. Players such as Rory Brennan, Mark Bradley, Lee Brennan and Conor McAliskey have the ability to make their mark on this summer's campaign. Darren McCurry, who missed the league final, will also add something when he comes back
And then there is the evergreen Seán Cavanagh. There is no doubting that the Moy clubman would love to win a fourth All-Ireland crown.
Speaking at the launch of RTÉ Sport's coverage of this year's GAA Championship, Irish Independent journalist Colm Keys feels Tyrone are a side that could threaten Dublin's grip on Sam Maguire.
"I think to ask questions of Dublin, Tyrone are next in line," he predicted.
"Obviously they've been operating in Division 2 and that leaves a bit of a gap to fill in as to whether they can.
"Over the last three years, they have played Dublin three times in league games at Croke Park. They lost the Division 1 final in 2013 by a point, they beat them the following year and in 2015 it took a late Dean Rock goal to get a draw for Dublin.
"To my mind, Tyrone are best equipped athletically to take on Dublin. They have the right attitude and have a very solid defensive structure.
They seem to be a very, very good Croke Park team, as opposed to their record in Ulster in Clones and Ballybofey over the last number of years.
"It really is a two-speed championship. Games that take place in the provinces tend to bear resemblance to what eventually happens in Croke Park.
"With that mind I think Tyrone are equipped more than anyone to take on the Croke Park challenge."
Derry will be Tyrone's first opponents in the Ulster quarter-final on 22 May. It's an engagement at Celtic Park that Mickey Harte and his troops will treat with the utmost respect. Survive that and it's a date with either Cavan or Armagh in the semi.
Tyrone have yet to taste defeat in this calendar year and, as of now have what takes to maintain that winning thread, perhaps to an All-Ireland final date in September.
