Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke says their Division Two campaign was "difficult" but that progress has been made as they maintained their Division Two status despite a 0-22 to 0-19 defeat to Cork.
The Red Hands started the campaign as one of the favourites to seal promotion back to the top tier, but entered the final day with an outside chance of being relegated to Division Three and the prospect of playing Tailteann Cup football later this summer.
O'Rourke's side lost four of their seven fixtures, drawing once with their only victories coming at home to Cavan and Offaly.
"There's no doubt it has been challenging but we've made progress in some areas," O'Rourke told BBC Sport NI.
"There's a lot of young lads that have come in so we're trying to build a team.
"That involves a wee bit of pain and a wee bit of discomfort I suppose but it's a process you have to go through and you have to stick to your principles."
Tyrone trailed Cork by a point at half-time despite playing with the aid of the breeze, kicking ten first-half wides, and it's clear they will have to improve significantly ahead of their Ulster Championship opener against Armagh on 12 April.
"Overall our performances have been inconsistent. I thought today (defeat to Cork) it was probably the same. We started off poorly but as the game went on we got better.
"It's up to us now to try and build on that and push on over the next couple of weeks because we have a seriously tough battle ahead of ourselves in the Athletic Grounds, but that's it, we'll just have to get ready for it."
The Tyrone boss also confirmed that goalkeeper Niall Morgan will be available for selection for that Armagh clash. The Edendork stopper was not part of the match day panel for the last two league fixtures, with Oisin O'Kane taking the number one jersey.
"He is, of course he is. He missed last week (game against Meath) because of a wedding but he was back in training during the week as you saw he was there today," O'Rourke confirmed.
"It's great, there's three keepers there so the three of them will be fighting it out to get the two spots in the Championship and we're delighted to have them."
