FEARGAL Logan was a powerhouse midfielder at the height of Tyrone’s age of fierce rivalry with Derry.
Oak Leaf fortunes have plummeted since those momentous derby clashes of the '80s and '90s, with Armagh and Donegal taking over as Red Hand nemeses in the meantime.
Logan senses that the fractious relationship with the neighbours from the other side of the Sperrins could be simmering once again, and may reach boiling point in Sunday’s Ulster SFC quarter-final clash at Omagh.
“There has always been an intense rivalry between the two counties and I remember being involved in a few of them in the Championship and they certainly weren’t for the faint-hearted, they were battles from start to finish," said Logan.
“There are a number of places in our county that neighbour Derry, and Healy Park will be buzzing come Sunday, but that’s what supporters want to see.”
The Red Hands have been cast into a Catch 22 situation by virtue of their preliminary round tie against Fermanagh, which they came through less than comfortably.
On the one hand, the All-Ireland champions were able to get up to Championship pace early, but on the other, they presented Derry boss Rory Gallagher with an opportunity to study and assess the challenge facing his side.
“It was another hurdle to jump along the way but as long as we won and didn’t pick up any injuries it certainly did us no harm.
“Having said that it gave Derry another opportunity to look at us and they have been waiting in the long grass for us as they plan an ambush on Sunday.
“They have had their eye on Tyrone since the draw was made and they will not need an extra motivation to take on the All-Ireland champions in their own back yard.”
Derry’s progress under Fermanagh native Gallagher has been impressive, and they came close to making a long-awaited return to NFL Division One.
Tyrone’s joint manager Logan has been impressed by their confident emergence from a difficult period in the history of a proud GAA county.
“We are under no illusion as to the task that lies in front of us. It is a step up but that is what you expect as you progress in the championship.
“Derry may have been in the lower divisions in recent times but they have turned things around and they know what it takes to win silverware having won a league title at Croke Park.
“Club football within their county is very competitive and they have a number of players in their squad who have played at Croke Park in an All Ireland club final. The county also won an All-Ireland Minor title recently and their schools as always are always competing at a high level.
“They are a proud county and one that is on a winning curve and in truth they are a division one team in everything but name. They may have been inactive this past month or so but that has given them plenty of time to prepare for this game and we are expecting a massive challenge from them.
“There will be a tactical battle as well and we will just have to see how they set up on Sunday and try and counteract that.”
The introduction of the Tailteann Cup will have implications for the race for Sam Maguire in so far as the Qualifier stream will be tougher than before, comprising teams from the top two League divisions only.
“That is definitely a factor this year,” said Logan.
“There is certainly no rehabilitation in the back door this year with the new format. If you lose in your Province there are no easy games to try and get you back on track again so the best thing is obviously to try and avoid that route as long as you can.”
