Both sides finished in the top half of the National Football League back in the spring, but now this weekend's game between Tyrone and Monaghan will colour their ambitions for the year in the All Ireland Championship.
Ahead of the Ulster Championship quarter final between both counties, former Donegal forward Brendan Devenney and ex-Tyrone centre-forward Brian McGuigan joined us to preview the action.
"I can't believe the way Tyrone have played all league," said Devenney.
"I've seen Tyrone play this year and the talent is there but they have the full team in behind the '45 in each of the games I've seen, and whether they just decide to spring something on us in the Championship, let's hope so because with talent like that, they're never going to progress as players and the Tyrone team is never going to take the next step to become a serious All Ireland challenger until they open up and let their forwards be forwards.
"And I hope on Sunday, that they do that because the three lads inside, what a talented forward line. But let's be honest, I've seen them play in the league and they've been back inside their '45."
He added that last year "showed nothing about Tyrone" given the paucity of the challenge in Ulster in 2017 before they more than met their match against Dublin who saw them with comfort.
That being said, Devenney does expect Tyrone to come out on top against a tough Monaghan side.
"What I see is that Tyrone have more talent and more ability I think than Monaghan and I see them edging this one," he said.
