Peter Harte accepts that Tyrone's defence of the Ulster SFC will be difficult regardless of what tonight's Championship 2017 draw throws up.

The Red Hands returned to the top of the pile in Ulster last summer and influential wing back Harte is bracing himself for a real battle next year to retain the provincial crown:

"There is huge interest in the draw but it's very, very early to be speculating about just who will lift the Ulster title in 2017," he states in The Belfast Telegraph. "There is a lot of football to be played between now and then but from our viewpoint it's great that we are back in Division One of the league. This is very important because we think that this might help to put us in good stead to defend the Ulster title.

"Yet when you look around you see that Cavan have now got Mattie McGleenan in as their new manager, and you already know what Monaghan and Donegal are going to bring to the table, so you get an idea of the task we face. Then you take on board Peter McGrath's obvious desire to get what would be a first title for Fermanagh and you factor in the possibility of a surprise package or two so you understand just how difficult it will be in Ulster.

"We will see what the draw brings and we'll take things from there."

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