Brian Dooher believes people made “a big deal” out of players quitting the Tyrone panel and insists they have a bench strong enough to compete for the All-Ireland once again.
When Paul Donaghy walked away from the squad at the end of the March he became the seventh player to leave the champions since they won the All-Ireland title last September.
However joint boss Dooher claims too much has been made of that.
Read more: Fermanagh vs Tyrone LIVE as it happened in the Ulster Football Championship
Players left for a variety of reasons such as retirement, frustration at lack of game time, work and family commitments and Dooher is confident they can be replaced.
“A lot of people have made a big deal out of that and I suppose it is disrespectful to the players who are there.
“We have some great footballers there and they’re going to get the opportunity to prove that now.
“Some got their chance against Fermanagh and did well and there’s more coming behind it.
“So I wouldn’t be overly concerned about that. It is what it is and we have, I think, a good enough bench.”
Dooher declined to comment on Conor McKenna’s late red card in Saturday’s Ulster preliminary round win over Fermanagh. Tyrone will seek a personal hearing for McKenna in a bid to have him cleared to play in the first round clash against Derry on May 1.
Dooher expects Peter Harte and Richie Donnelly to return from injury for that game, but says it will “come too quick for Mattie (Donnelly)”.
In 2006 Derry came to Omagh and beat Tyrone who were then reigning All-Ireland champions.
Dooher was Tyrone captain and admits the memories of that day in Healy are “not great” with Derry holding Tyrone scoreless in the first half.
And he reckons Derry, under Rory Gallagher, are much better now than they were when they pulled off that shock result 16 years ago.
“That shows what Derry are capable of, and I would probably say they are a better team now. They definitely are.
“They have some fine footballers and were very impressive throughout the league.
“They were unlucky not to get promotion. They were one of the in-form teams in the league and will pose a stiff challenge for us because they should be in Division One.
“We know what we will be facing. They will work hard, they’ll be fit and will be well organised.
“They have the Glen and Slaughtneil players available and have done well at underage level in the last few years so no-one should underestimate how good the footballers are in Derry.
“Derry are back up there again at the top table. That’s the way I see it anyway, and they deserve to be there.
“They will be a force to be reckoned with in the championship, I have no doubt.”
Read more: Fermanagh vs Tyrone: Player ratings from Saturday's Ulster SFC clash
Read more: Conor McKenna red card: Feargal Logan confirms Tyrone star will seek a hearing
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
