By Orla Bannon

It took Niall Sludden some time to acclimatise to senior inter-county football but just a year after breaking into the Tyrone team, he's regarded as indispensable.

So much so that when he's absent, Tyrone don't look nearly as dangerous without his pace and penetrating runs.

It's probably no coincidence that when he picked up black cards against both Dublin and Mayo in this year's league campaign, the Red Hands blew winning positions and only took one point from a possible four.

This time last year he was getting ready to make his debut in the 11-point hammering of Derry at Celtic Park.

He goes back there on Sunday with his reputation enhanced by some superb displays in both the half-back and half-forward lines to become Tyrone's new 'Mr Versatile'.

“You do hear that said a bit but I don't really think too much about that," said Sludden.

“Personally myself I feel I can add a different dynamic to the team and sometimes yes, that is missing.

“But we've got a number of boys who can step up in that position and are well capable of doing it.

“I'm just happy to play anywhere. If Mickey decides you're in defence or you're in an attacking role you just have to take that on.

“That's just the way the modern game is. There's so many players can play attack and defence in our team and it's great to have that balance within our squad.”

Sludden won an All-Ireland minor title in 2010 alongside current Tyrone team-mates Ronan O'Neill, Hugh Pat McGeary and Richie Donnelly.

He will be central to their hopes of retaining their Ulster SFC but is maturing fast in the role of a leader.

“Getting into the team and playing a good role has been brilliant and I feel a lot more comfortable in the squad now," he said.

“It's been a blur and it was a quick year.”

Tyrone looked good early on in the league but three poor defeats against Donegal, Mayo and Kerry cost them a shot at making the league final.

With it, the odds on them retaining their Ulster title this summer lengthened but they are still hot favourites to see off Derry in Sunday's first round tie.

“We didn't keep the good run we made going and lost a bit of consistency, but I don't think we're in a bad place," said Sludden.

“What stays inside in our group is what's important at the end of the day, the belief and the confidence that we have in ourselves.

“If some people want to back us that's great and if they don't want to back us well they can do that as well.

“I just think it's important that whatever we instil in the camp is what's the critical thing and that's what Mickey always says to us.”

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