Tyrone famously lifted the Sam Maguire via the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2008, but it's a route Mickey Harte doesn't fancy taking again.

Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution ahead of this afternoon's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Monaghan, Harte accepts that it would be very difficult for the Red Hands to reach the new Super 8s if they lose. 

"I have always said I would rather be winning the provincial title than going any other way because it is something that you can anticipate," the veteran Tyrone manager said.

"You can project what's happening [when you're taking the direct route], you know who you'd be possibly against if you were to win. You know the dates that it's going to happen.

"When you head the other way, you don't know what part of the country you're going to, you don't know for sure who you're going to meet.

"It's certainly a lot more challenging for whoever loses that first round game. I can't say that it's not doable. There are examples of people playing a lot of matches to win All-Irelands, historically.

"That is true, it can be done, but that doesn't mean to say it's easy. I think that will add a lot of incentive to people to stay in the direct route in their province, to try and get to the last eight through the direct route.

"In that way, it ought to make the provincial championships much more competitive."

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