Philip Jordan is predicting a bright future for Tyrone after the county's run to the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.

Mickey Harte's new-look team put up a huge battle against Kerry last Sunday before succumbing to a four-point defeat.

"The Red Hand players will be hugely disappointed, having got so close to a first All-Ireland final in seven years. Once the hurt eases, however, they will look back on a year of massive progress," the three-time All-Ireland winning defender stated in his Irish News column.

"After last year's championship loss to Armagh, it would have been a brave Tyrone supporter who expected an All-Ireland semi-final place this time around. Tyrone lost an All-Ireland semi-final in 2013 and regressed the following year, but there is good reason to think next year will be different.

"The age profile of the team is much younger with only a few players in the 30-plus bracket. The likes of Sean Cavanagh and Joe McMahon will probably be enticed back for another year by the prospect of being potential challengers.

"The 2013 defeat to Mayo was also much more decisive and left you feeling that Tyrone were still some way off the top teams. On the evidence of Sunday, they have narrowed the gap significantly, although it's too early to call them certain All-Ireland challengers."

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