Tyrone forward Ronan O’Neill admits he was not expecting a call up to Mickey Harte’s squad less than a year after walking away from the set-up.

O’Neill quit the Red Hands following last season’s National League campaign, citing a lack of game time as his reason for doing so, before returning at the start of this year to play a key role in the team’s triumph in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland, the Omagh St Enda’s captain said he was keen to get back into Harte’s squad and “prove people wrong”.

"I didn't expect to return to be honest," he said.

"When I stepped away, I thought I'd be back at some stage, but not so soon.

"With the injury to Mattie (Donnelly) and Connor McAliskey stepping away, it maybe forced Mickey's hand a bit.

"I thought I hadn't done myself justice at county level, so I wanted to get back at it and prove people wrong."

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