Former teak-tough defender Ryan McMenamin says Tyrone supporters have to lower their expectations.

The Red Hands endured a difficult championship campaign, losing to Monaghan and Armagh in the Ulster SFC and All-Ireland SF qualifiers respectively, and 'Ricey' said to the Examiner: "They're not a top tier team any more. People have to realise that.

"I played football from 2000 until 2012, and we only won the All-Ireland three times out of 13 or 14 years.

"Before 2003, Tyrone weren't considered a top tier team, and they have come a long way.

"The boys are going to have to knuckle down and work hard, the team is going to have to lower its expectations and say, 'well, we can't win an All-Ireland this year, but we can win an All-Ireland in maybe two or three years'."

He continued: We have to concentrate on winning an Ulster, and the supporters are going to have to take their expectations down. You never know what can happen next season.

"This group of players have come up from the minors of 2008 and 2010, and have won All-Irelands, but they have won nothing at senior level.

"Donegal proved it in 2011 when they won Ulster, that it was a springboard for them. But Tyrone will have to learn how to win hard games, and that's going to be key." Tweet

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