With no score for the vast bulk of the second half, and a comprehensive defeat to their Ulster rivals, the immediate picture for Tyrone seemed bleak as the final whistle went yesterday in Ballybofey.

Mickey Harte, however, was focused on the positives from a six point defeat at the hands of Donegal. Speaking with Newstalk’s Oisin Langan in the aftermath of the loss, Harte insisted the need to be mindful of the good work his sided had done.

“We created lots of chances for ourselves.

“We dragged ourselves back into the game and were in a strong position to go ahead.

“Then we dragged ourselves back into the game a second time and at 9 all it was anybody’s game at that stage; and we actually had more good chances when it sat for 9 all at first, but we didn’t take any of them. So, when they broke up and got their second goal, it was definitely a sore blow on us.

“You just have to hold your hands up sometimes and say you were beaten by a better team,” Harte said.

The need to remain positive, and mindful of the possibility of a successful summer, remained at the centre of Harte’s post match summation.

“I think there was lots of good paly that we were part of today and we will have to learn from our inefficient, if you like, with the chances we created. It’s not like us to be that wayward so well have to take a real good and hard look at that, and see if we can tidy up with that and meet less stiff opposition in the early rounds of the qualifier then maybe we’ll still be around in a month or two’s time.”

Listen to Mickey Harte’s full interview via the player below