Messages

I have no issue with Errigal fielding a team in Div3, if they have the numbers to do so then good for them.

For me there have been 2 issues this year. Firstly players that played for Errigal senior or senior reserve championship in 2017 were eligible to play for the junior reserve championship due to the fact they had not played junior championship in 2017 and the county board considered them to be two different teams, which in anybody's reckoning is a farce. The fact that they beat us so easily in the reserve championship and we are top of the reserve league tells it's own story. Many of these same players will line out for Errigal III in the junior championship too.

Secondly and on a more general note, there were several clubs who were unable to play players in the reserve championship who have played reserve league all year due to the fact that they played in the junior championship in 2017 (probably as a sub) and are now unlikely to get any championship football. This needs to be addressed by the county board as it deprives players of playing the main type of football that any player trains so hard for.

Couple of points stand out above. Are both clubs not top of the reserve league together? I think from memory that reserve league meeting between both, you drew? On top of that it was a midweek game, with a lot of Red Knight seniors playing following the game at the weekend, a bit hypocritical to be harsh of one team exploiting a rule in one competition when Beragh were guilty of the same in a separate competition, with the aim of giving their reserves a better chance of winning the league.

The system is undoubtedly flawed. Nobody is arguing that, but I think to point the finger solely at Errigal IIIs here is wrong. Every club will play eligible senior players in Reserve Championship if they did not get cup tied the previous year. A quick look at the Castlederg team photo from the other evening proves this also. The system of naming 12 starred players, that were unable to play reserve football, worked best. Stops the overstacking of teams with players that would normally be first team players.

The world is not perfect, but this negativity towards a club that is doing a fantastic job at retaining players,  is nothing short of embarrassing. 

Agreed that teams appreciate the competitive games

I was at the Drumragh V Errigal III Reserve Championship game.
Errigal fielded a very strong team of players that was mostly made up of thirds Senior players

It was a little disappointing to see a team of young lads that have had a strong league campaign, get completely whipped at home by the "same" team they beat in the league at dunmoyle

Playing Senior players in the Reserve Championship is a completely different debate to what you guys are discussing here but its the sort of thing that may add to any gripe some might have about a thirds team

Yeah former county under 21 Sean McKenna is playing in the reserve championship in D3 this year because he didn't play on the thirds senior championship team last year (he was with the firsts and their reserves last year), same with a few others whom dropped down this year. Devalues the compeition from a reserve prespective.

I seen that. Which is definitely a flaw in the system. But is it not that the last senior championship game makes you ineligible for reserve championship? Did Sean make an appearance in last year's final against Omagh? Either way, I think it takes away from the point regarding Errigal 3rds. Despite all this, they are an extra set of competitive games in Div 3 and are a welcome addition. For example, their reserve team are top of the League where I can only assume it doesn't have some of their senior players every week.

Team as expected and rightly so. Conor McCalliskey and Peter Harte have to step it up from last week these two are the more experienced two along with the others who are do ing their bit Donnelly, Cavanagh, McCann, McNamee. I don't think some of these Monaghan players will have experienced or be ready for the intensity that an All Ireland semi final brings. Tyrone by 6-8 points. Come on!

Lol. SouthtyroneGael trying to claw back some respectability with a proper post after making a tit if himself. Funniest thing I have come across on this board

And when assessing it as a serious post, STG just can't avoid his anti Harte bias. Admittedly by some of the standards Skeet has set this year,  he has been quiet of late. However I'd be firmly of the belief that Harte was hugely influential in Ballybofey. Himself and a few others really stepped it up when a championship exit was looming large.

As far as I know as long as there has been no games conceded to the teams involved throughout the season then it goes to score difference. Otherwise it's a playoff.

You'd imagine the championship will be between eskra and clogher so a chance of revenge for the eskra men there.

Cheers SB, that makes sense.

Would nt be too sure about the Championship being a 2 horse race. As Killeshil proved at Eskra any of the top 5 or 6 in Div 3 could turn them over in a single game.

Errigal Thirds could be a darkhorse albeit they have a tricky opening tie against Drumragh.

Errigal strong contender for Junior championship. Will beat Drumragh ok
Errigal making some push on all fronts for honours this year. 25 years on the go
Minor championship in the bag and division 1 & 3 Reserve championship likely to follow this weekend
Could be a record haul this year

Its taking the piss out of actual Div 3 Clubs. Proper Junior Clubs investing a lot of resources into developing players to try and get promoted/win silverware, then Errigal just drop Senior players down to their III's team with no oversight from the County Board.

Errigal III's can't even get promoted so whats the point?

All the players involved with the Thirds are not senior panellists and have committed  to them for the year. I think there are some ex seniors lads there but have been all year and haven't been involved with the senior panel. Reasons being work, not at senior standard anymore and not having the time to commit to a DIV 1 team.

Some people will always have a gripe about something but I know in Div 3 a lot of the club's are a fan of having them there. You know when scheduled to play them you will get two guaranteed competitive games - And that can't be said about a lot of the teams in the Division as there are many weeks when games are conceded etc. Out of interest it'd be interesting to see if their fourths have ever conceded a game? And isn't that what it's all about, especially at reserve level,  getting matches?

Interesting to see what lads think the matchups will be this weekend? Who is your replacement for Meyler (if unavailable). One worrying aspect is how badly cleaned out around the middle we were in HP. Do we bring a bigger man in there to try and stifle the Monagahn kickout? I am also of the belief that Beggan can be got at. He has had a fantastic year, however I think he is flaky. Both his shot stopping and comfort under the high ball are average IMO.

So with the action only around the corner, what are people thinking for the Carmen VS Moy and the Clonoe VS Errigal games? Think the latter is to hard to call, ill go Carmen by 5 and Clonoe vs Errigal to draw. (really messing up this already shambolic championship for the county board as a result)

Anyone hear of the County Board boo boo yesterday?

Do we have to guess?

Sure why not. Go on. Have a go.

They double booked the pitches in Garvaghey for Senior and Junior championship quarter-finals?
They didn't send a rep to the launch of the Ulster Club championships as they wont have teams ready to represent Tyrone for 20th October?
They stocked Tayto instead of Hunky Dorys in the Healy park shop?
They added an extra 0 to Cutheberts expenses cheque?
They didn't get planning permission for Paschal McConnell?
They pre-printed next years appeals to the CCCC and added an extra C.
They booked the City West for the wrong weekend next September?
I give up.

Made a Dromore full back head of security at Garvaghy?

God imagine if they had him and a certain Errigal Ciaran Full Forward on guard....there wouldn't be a inch of copper left in the place...

EC where do you think is Petey's best position?
Where would he rather play himself? Did he line out at FF a few times for ye?

I heard a few lads saying that McGee was punching Stevie off the ball all day trying to get a reaction.
Did anyone else see that?

He was very effective for us last year at number 6. That is fine at club level I'm not sure at county. FF is not his position IMO as one of his best qualities is running at teams with the ball. I actually would like to see him tried at midfield as he can attack and defend when required, he is physical enough and has a fantastic engine.

After Tyrones problems in midfield over the years, you think Mickey should try a man shy of 6ft in there? Come on man pull yourself together. Peter Harte is a quality player but needs to be deployed in the half back line like he is for club and province. Here he will be constantly involved and the foundation to the majority of Tyrones attacks.

http://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/club-jerseys/st-marys-gaa-jersey-1.html

Our(St Mary's University, Strawberry Hill) new away jersey. Can't see it selling as many as the home jersey which also had the Buckfast sponsor but hopefully we'll get a few pound from it.

That St Marys London jersey is a good idea. Universities should take note from your idea with the aim to get a few pounds for their club. I imagine being a minority club over there on the mainland couldn't be easy!

Just because it hasnt been mentioned yet 
augher return to senior football after 21 years at the weekend with their playoff win against edendork.
A tough year lies ahead next year, but a fantastic acheivement for a club of our size to get back up with the big boys
clubs like greencastle have set the example of how to stay up there, so that has to be the goal

Have been meaning to comment on that. A club with a great history, great to see a them back up.
Can't believe it is 21 years. Now I feel old.

Was some achievement by Augher. At the start of the year the bookies would have gave some odds on Loughmacrory going down and Augher going up. But fair dues, hard work pays off and would be great to see the Clogher Valley men stay up.

Petey wasn't a major player at any stage.  He took some knocks which were not cynical and one staved finger when he tackled a man running at him.  The hand injury was his major problem as he couldn't handle the ball even if he managed to get to it.  Once again he was played out of position and wasted the opportunity to play him at 11.

Oisin wasn't MoTM, I think was chosen by the commentary team and whoever was with the commentator was hugely annoying even in Irish and I couldn't understand a word.  The 'pundit' is supposed to add to the commentary not dominate it.  Felt that Stephen Kernan was MoTM because he played in the most decisive balls to the forward line in particular the ball to J Clarke on two occasions leading to goals or near goal chances were brilliant.

Two many main men for Errigal went awol and man for man Errigal was greatly inferior to Cross particularly on the bench where they had no one to make an impact.

errigal also made the mistake of doubling up on Clarke. He'll be some miss for Armagh.

Don't think I agree that Clarke was double marked. Actually thought Mc Crory done as good a job on Clarke as could have been done. Clarke is a special talent. Think any chance Errigal had went out the window when Harte broke his hand at the start of second half. On a whole Cross had too much strength and depth to cope with the Errigal challenge. Think Crossmaglen will have too much in the tank for Kilcoo the next day also.