If the number 10 is viewed as the epicentre of political power, then it could also hold particular resonance in terms of authority when it comes to tomorrow's Ulster senior football championship final.

Both Tyrone and Antrim will now clearly look for leadership and inspiration from their players wearing that particular jersey.

While long-serving Brian Dooher will enter his 61st championship match for the Red Hands once more wearing the captain's armband, Terry O'Neill will again seek to replicate the impetus that he has provided for Antrim.

Dooher, back in the starting frame after initial fears that he might have played no part at all in the current campaign following groin surgery, is now hoping to do what no other Ulster team captain has done — collect the Sam Maguire Cup for a second successive year.

First of all he has other important business to attend to tomorrow against an Antrim side in which 27-year-old O'Neill, ostensibly a forward, but in reality the defensive axis around which Antrim's strategy has almost totally revolved to date, will be at the helm of operations to thwart the Red Hands famed front line.

While Dooher's return to full active duty in a side that now has Sean Cavanagh at midfield and Stephen O'Neill at full-forward has understandably been acclaimed by Tyrone fans, the player himself is treading carefully, conscious that his cameo roles against Armagh and Derry were small stepping stones compared to the responsibility he will face tomorrow.

“Obviously it's great to be starting, but this is now a squad game. I know that unless I'm up to the mark there are other players ready and eager to come on from the bench,” maintains the man whom manager Mickey Harte unequivocally describes as “irreplaceable.”

And indeed Harte's opposite number Liam Bradley might well be inclined to apply similar terminology to O'Neill should he again offer the composure, poise and versatility that had so much to do with those spectacular Antrim wins over Donegal and Cavan.

For the moment the ebullient Bradley, proving very much his own man and revelling in his role with the Saffrons, insists that the team ethic is “everything as far as we are concerned.”

Bradley adds: “Undoubtedly Terry O'Neill is a big player for us — he was voted man of the match against Cavan, after all — but there is a ferocious work-rate within this side.

“These boys come off the pitch out on their feet and that's the way it should be. It will take that and more if we are to have a chance of winning tomorrow.”

While Dooher's foraging skills, tracking back and ability to boom over outrageous points will further cement Tyrone's many-sided qualities, O'Neill's clever footballing brain can translate defence into attack and help unleash the pace and punch of Tomas McCann, his brother Michael and Sean Burke while Saffrons skipper Paddy Cunningham is certain to gobble up any chances that come his way to convert frees.

An intriguing tactical battle is certainly on the cards — and a No 10 of whatever hue could ultimately help to open the door to success.

It’s a first ever Ulster decider between the sides, but while the All Ireland champions are seeking their fourth All Ireland of the decade, Antrim are searching for a first Ulster title in 58 years.

The reality is that no Ulster final of recent times has seemed so predictable.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte though has been in a similar situation before.

The O’Neill County was well fancied to overcome Antrim in the 2003 semi-final and they did by eight points en route to their first All Ireland.

The trick is coping with the mantle of favouritism and Harte feels they have the maturity and experience to cope with whatever the game throws up.

“In some ways it’s more difficult than a game where the odds are against you, but the majority of our players have been in this situation in the past,” said Harte.

“It may be new opponents for them on Sunday, but it’s certainly not new territory.”