While Tyrone captain Brian Kennedy feels the Red Hands can "absolutely" win an All-Ireland title, securing their spot in Gaelic football's blue riband competition for 2027 is the first objective.

Speaking on the GAA Social podcast, the 28-year-old accepts there are a number of counties who will feel they can lift Sam Maguire next year with Mayo's victory this year giving many added belief.

However, with a Division Two league campaign to come first where a top-four finish may be required to avoid dropping into the Tailteann Cup, Kennedy feels Tyrone must hit the ground running from the start.

With Dublin and Monaghan dropping into a division that also contains Louth, Derry, Cavan, Down and Wexford, Tyrone will be seeking a much better start to the new year to improve on their fifth-place finish in 2026 - five points behind rivals Derry in fourth.

"Division Two is a lot harder to get out of than what most people would think," the 2021 All-Ireland winner and All-Star said.

"The new layout of Tailteann Cup brings a bit of jeopardy and every team will be thinking the same way."

Kennedy was in Croke Park in July when Mayo ended their 75-year wait for Sam Maguire.

Having beaten Andy Moran's side earlier in the competition, there is a sense within the Tyrone squad they "aren't too far away" from reaching their goal.

"Obviously, you're envious that you should be out there and do the same," he reflected.

"You wouldn't be up in Garvaghy [Tyrone training complex], grinding away if you didn't think there was an All-Ireland in us, but there are as many as 12 teams thinking the same way.

"You see how Louth have progressed over the last number of years and now they are a serious contender."

The Derrylaughan man views 2026 "as season of two halves" with a disappointing Division Two league campaign which saw them in relegation danger rather than in the promotion mix.

Although they would fall to Armagh in the preliminary round of the Ulster SFC, it required extra-time for the eventual winners to prevail as Malachy O'Rourke's side produced an excellent display.

It left Tyrone out of action for six weeks until the beginning of the All-Ireland series, but they would push on with victories over Roscommon and Mayo to reach the last eight where they came up just short against Kerry.

"We knew we weren't far away as there were times we were playing well, but it was in fits and starts.

"We went after it then and knew we had a really good chance against Armagh, but it was probably a bit of a sickener to lose to your neighbours in extra-time."