TYRONE coach Gary Hetherington has predicted a big future at senior level for several members of the county's minor team.
The Red Hand U17s lost out in agonising fashion to Meath in the All-Ireland final at the weekend, a stoppage time winner landing a first title in 29 years for the Royals.
But Hetherington is confident they'll bounce back and progress their careers in the county colours.
"There's numerous players there that should make the step up to U20 and after that, they have to develop into seniors," he said.
"And I'm more than confident that there's quite a number in there that will do so."
This year's team is arguably the finest since the late 1990s, when Tyrone competed in successive minor finals.
Hetherington was a member of the team that lost the 1997 decider, but the Red Hands returned to triumph a year later with a team stacked with future stars who would go on to win three senior All-Irelands.
"Individually they're all very good. We had to get them together to play as a team, and they bought in to that.
"They're a great bunch of lads first and foremost, and secondly they're excellent footballers.
The class of 2021 combines natural talent with a willingness to learn, and they have responded to the promptings of a coaching team that includes treble Sam Maguire Cup winners Conor Gormley and Ciaran Gourley.
"We have probably exceeded our expectations. Some may have said we were red hot favourites throughout the year, but when you have them for that short period of time, it's difficult to get across what you want to get across.
"They have been brilliant all year, and not many teams have got close to them. But fair play to Meath.
New manager Gerard Donnelly, a respected coach and tactician but not a household name until this year, has led the project with assurance and brought the best out of a group of players he has worked with for a number of seasons.
"Gerard is second to none for doing research on teams, devising tactics," said Hetherington.
"He may not be a household name, but he more than makes up for it with his hard work and the effort that he puts in, and off the training field as well."
A loss of composure late on when the vital scoring opportunities arose proved the downfall of the Red Hand teenagers on Saturday.
"We possibly missed enough opportunities to come out the right side of the result.
"We got our right people in the second half on the shots. Our scorers were taking the shots. They didn't go over, but on previous days they have.
"It's not as if we had corner backs shooting when they should have been shooting. Our main forwards were shooting and they were just going wide.
"You get those days, but unfortunately it was All-Ireland final day and it's more than disappointing for it to happen then."
