Mickey Harte is delighted that Tyrone have reached the McKenna Cup final.

As the O'Neill County prepare to lock horns with holders Derry in this weekend's subsidiary competition decider, Harte insists that the extra game will prove hugely beneficial in preparing his charges for the league opener against Kildare the following weekend:

"It is absolutely essential. You can play all the challenge matches you want, but it is very hard to judge the quality of your players on that.

"You don't know exactly what the opposition are playing or how strong the team they have put out is.

"Some players don't really rise themselves for challenge matches. This is competitive. There is a good crowd there to see them.

"It is great to have a competitive challenge before we head to Croke Park to play Kildare in the league because there certainly will be a competitive edge to that one." Tweet

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