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as contenders for an All Ireland tyrone were finished a number of years ago. The media talked Tyrone's chances up but as it has been said on here we have lost some of the best players that ever played for Tyrone and indeed ever played the game. These players are not easily replaced and a bit of regrouping will be required. Will it be Mickey Harte that does it I can't say.

How long will it be before we have a similar team? well how long will the present championship format be in place? What other changes will take place regarding rules?
Tyrone enjoyed success in the last decade and current club players will have to step up to the mark if they want to follow in the wake of the great Tyrone team of the noughties. I just hope it will be sooner rather than later.

I think every club should have the opportunity to field their strongest side on championship day, so that should be taken into account, but certainly for the league, games need to continue on regardless of county minor football. If that means the lads are unable to play for their clubs, then so be it.

Yeah, I would think so. Our Club are rarely in this situation so would be keen to hear the opinions of others.

My thinking would be these lads are involved in; County Minors, Club Minors, Club U21s, Schools football, Senior Club Championship & whatever Senior league games they're available for when there are no conflicts.
With player burnout in mind, and the hope that they'll have 15+ years adult club league football ahead of them, I wouldn't be expecting them to complete a full season of adult league football alongside the rest of their commitments.

A smaller club with 1 star minor player might disagree...

Did Brendan Harpur quit his role with the Tyrone board over this very thing. We expect too much from our star players especially the young ones. And to achieve 15yrs of football without serious injury there needs to be a change in expectations. Players welfare needs looked at especially when our insurance scheme is in the state it is in. aND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE

From Gaelic Life
It was disappointing to see Tyrone receiving more negative press in recent days over the stepping down by Brendan Harpur from his role as coaching officer on child protection and player welfare grounds, and his concerns over the number of games young players are expected to play.

He did great work during his time in a similar role in Dublin, and it was seen as a bit of a coup for Tyrone to get him back up here again. There have been major question marks over how young players have been developed in Tyrone over the past few years, and I think Brendan was trying to sort that out. He felt though that for people to stand up and take notice, he had to take the action of stepping down.

I'm involved with our minors this year, and I can see where Brendan is coming from. Our players recently had a situation where they had to play four games in a week. They played for the seniors/reserves on the Sunday, u-21s on the Tuesday, minors on the Thursday, and back to the seniors/reserves on the Sunday. In three of those games, those boys were going out against physically bigger and stronger and more developed players.

Teams will always play their best players. And players will always want to play in games. Therefore, the onus has to be on fixture-makers to try to ease the workload.

This year, with the minor league and Championship in full flow, and the reserve Championship going full tilt, Tyrone decided to start playing an u-21 competition, and on a group of six basis instead of a straight knock-out.

There doesn't seem to be any common sense involved when it comes to setting fixtures. Change has to come from the top down, it's up to the GAA centrally to set the agenda, because until there is a set rota of games, and proper guidelines issued as to what players can or can't play in which codes, then we'll carry on talking about this year on year, and our best young players are going to be wrecked by the time they reach 21 years of age.

- See more at: http://gaeliclife.com/2014/07/brian-mcguigan-harpur-issue-a-huge-own-goal/#sthash.jfs5klOL.dpuf

appointment made. thanks












with Specsavers 

Hi have n't been on for a while but now back on again. Can someone point me in the right direction to find the two new sections that have been set out for the back door draw. There was an article in the Irish News a few weeks ago, but it has been misplaced  I have tried a few sites and googled as well to find it but to no avail, and I have had a search on here as well. Appreciate any help.

From memory the losers of tyrone Down game went into section B while the losers of Derry/Donegal went into section A. Perhaps this grading went on before and I missed it but I'm sure I will get the right info on here.

In club football, does the accumulation of 3 black or yellow cards get you a 1 game suspension ?

No see below.

Suspensions
At all levels a Black Card results in a player missing the remainder of the game.
Additionally at Senior Inter County Level:
3 x Black Cards = 1 Game suspension
3 x Double Yellow Cards = 1 Game suspension
OR
A Combination of both (totaling 3) = 1 Game suspension
Only in senior inter-county league and championship games within the same year.
At All Other Levels:
2 x Double Yellows within 48 weeks = 2 week suspension
2 x Yellow followed by a Black Card within 48 weeks = 2 week suspension
OR
A combination of both = 2 week suspension
At all levels except senior inter-county league and championship.

So in club football 2 double yellows or 2 yellow followed by a black card or combination of the above will be 2 WEEK SUSPENSION.

[Disciplinary Procedure]

Copied from GAA website

Disciplinary Procedure

The Gaelic Football Rule Changes which become operative on 1 January 2014 are as follows:
1. Introduction of a Black Card for Cynical Behaviour Fouls.
2. Change in the number of substitutes allowed.
3. Distinction between Deliberate and Accidental Fouls.
4. Definition of the Tackle.
5. Introduction of a clearer Advantage Rule.
6. A player in possession may score a point with an open-handed hand-pass.

Cynical Behaviour Fouls
1. Deliberately pull down an opponent.
2. Deliberately trip an opponent with the hand(s), arm, leg or foot.
3. Deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of a movement of play.
4. Threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opponent or a teammate.
5. Remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a Match Official.
The penalty for the above fouls are:
i. Free Kick from where the foul occurred.
ii. Order Off offender by showing him a Black Card*.
iii. Allow a replacement from within the substitutions permitted*.
*Substitutes
• Increased to SIX per team.
• Maximum of THREE permitted for Black Card Offenders.

Immediate Ordering Off Infractions (Red Cards)
1. Striking or attempting to strike with arm, elbow, hand, knee or head.
2. Kicking or attempting to kick with minimal force or with force or causing injury.
3. Behaving in any way which is dangerous to an opponent.
4. Spitting at an opponent.
5. Contributing to a melee.
6. Stamping.
7. Inflicting injury recklessly.
8. Abusive language towards a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
These are unchanged.

Cautionable Infractions (Yellow Cards)
1. To block or attempt to block with the boot when an opponent is kicking the ball from the hand(s).
2. To prevent or attempt to prevent an opponent from lifting or kicking the ball off the ground by striking an opponent's hand, arm, foot or leg with the boot.
3. To engage in any other form of rough play.
4. To attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul or injury.
The above are all currently existing Yellow Card Infractions.

Noting Infractions
1. To hold an opponent with the hand(s).
2. To use the fist on or around the body of an opponent for the purpose of dispossessing him of the ball.
3. To charge an opponent in the back or to the front.
4. To charge an opponent:
i. Who is not in possession of the ball, or
ii. Is in the act of kicking the ball, or
iii. If both players are not moving in the direction of the ball to play it.
5. To charge an opponent for the purpose of giving an advantage to a team-mate.
Noting Infractions remain unchanged – Two Notings result in a Caution (Yellow Card) with a third resulting in an Order Off (second Yellow, followed by Red).

Suspensions
At all levels a Black Card results in a player missing the remainder of the game.
Additionally at Senior Inter County Level:
3 x Black Cards = 1 Game suspension
3 x Double Yellow Cards = 1 Game suspension
OR
A Combination of both (totaling 3) = 1 Game suspension
Only in senior inter-county league and championship games within the same year.
At All Other Levels:
2 x Double Yellows within 48 weeks = 2 week suspension
2 x Yellow followed by a Black Card within 48 weeks = 2 week suspension
OR
A combination of both = 2 week suspension
At all levels except senior inter-county league and championship.
Deliberate v Accidental Fouls
A Card shall be issued only where the Infraction is deemed by the Referee to have been deliberate and not accidental.

The Tackle
The Tackle is re-defined as:
"The Tackle is a skill by which a player may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. The tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. The tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact (such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge) is forbidden. The only deliberate physical contact can be a Fair Charge i.e. Shoulder-to-shoulder with at least one foot on the ground. More than one player can tackle the player in possession."
Advantage
Advantage Rule is defined as:
"When a foul is committed the referee may allow the play to continue if he considers it to be to the advantage of the offended team. He shall signal that advantage by raising an arm upright. If he deems no advantage to have occurred, he may subsequently award a free for that foul from where it occurred*. The referee shall allow the advantage to run by maintaining his arm in the upright position for up to five seconds after the initial foul or for less time if it becomes clear that no advantage has accrued. He shall apply any relevant disciplinary action."

All fairly straight forward. There should be no confusion now.
A tackle has to be on the ball, the only physical contact is shoulder to shoulder when both players have one foot on the ground, and neither is in the act of kicking the ball. Bear hugs not allowed. So lets look forward to the national league which will be full of free flowing attacking football. Not everyone's idea of football but that's where this is headed.

Hopefully refs can keep up with this fast flowing football. Will we see the need for two or more refs? Perhaps they will have black and white jerseys and carry yellow dusters. 

You have no soul Ballymac. Nobody deserves the tickets more than those who go to every match to cheer on the team imho. They also put a lot of money and effort into supporting the team . This is their event too and they deserve recognition. Your all the dignitaries and sponsors deserve the ticket speech is very shallow.

HQ needs to distribute more tickets to the counties taking part to help alleviate this annual mess.


I VE LOTS OF SOUL. Just because you follow the county team doesnt grant you a ticket, thats the system. Sorry if I mislead you ref sponsors and dignitaries, I didnt say they deserved the tickets, just they will be looked after, that's the way of the world. Some people give their time, some give their money and the rare few give both. All these people are catered for in this system. Its the system I 'm talking about and as I said if I were a Donegal supporter I would be working the system.

I agreed with you reference more initial allocation (check my quote) but I disagree with following county team entitles you to the same as the grass root club man. More often than not they are the one and the same but to those that do not support the club they should not be rewarded. This is the essence of the GAA. Its not a perfect world and not a perfect system, but everyone knows how it works and there is no sense griping about not getting a ticket if you are not a club member.

Something that those who are busy trying to get their hands on tickets won't appreciate, but the current system isn't that bad. The only thing that I would say is that the teams in the final should be given more of an initial allocation.

Look at how and where the GAA are trying to allocate the tickets to. This is the show piece that everyone wants to get to, and if you are a member of a club, and more so, an active member of that club, then you will probably be rewarded with a ticket. However, people who claim to be the county's best fan going with the family to every challenge game, NL ETC does not entitle you to a ticket. Is that fair? I'd say it is.

The county team is supported by the clubs of that county and the volunteers who support the clubs (coaches, committee members, sandwich makers etc ) should be given first refusal. The 'money men' will be looked after through sponsors 10yr tickets etc and the touts (no one should buy a ticket of a tout). The system works, everyone knows how the system works so work the system.
If I was a Donegal supporter I would be making my way to the local club and joining with a view to becoming an active member to ensure that I get my ticket for the coming all irelands that surely they are going to compete in.

You see if people do that the clubs will become stronger, better supported so that the county team can be supported and become stronger, and you think the current system is flawed, HQ DOESN'T.

That's only my opinion and is worth what you paid for it! 

In regard to go games and selecting an 'A' and 'B' team, I feel that you should put stronger players in one team rather than mixing them. The whole concept of go games and two touch football is to allow weaker players to get more touches. I also agree with the idea that weaker players will develop when playing against stronger player, but that is not the case with all players. There is also a chance of frustrating better players who will not want to play in a weaker team or will become arrogant and show off.There are certain players who are not going to make it. Also tell parents if they are not happy with their son/daughter playing on the b team to get some extra training done at home.
My club run very successful tournaments at u 8 u 10 and u 12 level and the simple reason why they are successful is because we play 'A' and 'B' teams and the 'b' team score counts as we work on an aggregate score basis. This allows the so called weaker team to count and feel that they have contributed. Also it allows up to 24 kids to compete per club.

My only gripe with the Go Games is the fact that it gives parents the impression that their child will get to play football every week, as some weeks you may have a challenge match or go to a tournament. This came to light in our club a few years ago when a parent complained about their son travelling to a tournament with his team and never got a game. Turns out it was an u10 tournament played on an 11 a side basis and this child was just too old to play at u8 level and was a 'weaker' player. The coach had 22 players and couldn't get them all on as he had to select a panel of 15 players, tournament rules.

Regarding the weaker team players, they should also receive different training, because if they are at different levels on the field of play then they are at different levels of skills development. If you can manage to have a skills assessment done at the start of the year then middle and at end of year you can see how players are developing, plus a weaker player can have a 'bigger' improvement than a stronger player and this gives him encouragement. e.g. solo test weak player scores 5 strong player scores 9, after training etc end of year scores weak player 9 strong player 10. The weak player can see how he is developing.

Congratulations to Kerry they beat a Tyrone team in transition. It meant more to them and this was evident by post match interviews and celebrations during and immediately after the game. Tyrone have been held in high regard over the last few years when in reality they were in the chasing pack. Yes they are probably second best team in Ulster (Armagh and Derry are as far behind them as Tyrone are from Kerry) with Down comparable. But the pecking order is Donegal Dublin and Cork then Kerry then a few others but none of which hold a significant threat.

Gooch, Donaghy, Galvin, O Sullivan x 2 in the forward line and add in an o Se or two and thats no bad team. All the talk about refs dirty tactics etc is only smoke and mirrors. The fact is Tyrone are nowhere near the AI winning team they had. The FB and FF ARE STILL TEENAGERS so that 's something to take out of the game. I just hope that these other players see an opportunity to make it at senior level. Tyrone have a large number of talented players but they need to show the grit and determination to succeed at senior level. Tyrone people might now take time to appreciate the players that they had and the team that provided AI success.

I wish Kerry all the best and hope Tyrone can regroup and introduce at least 12 new players and that a few others will stay injury free next year.

This is the game of the round and the winners will probably go on to the quarters, no offence to Clare. But when they get there the big guns are waiting and while Tyrone came closer to beating AI contenders (Donegal) than Kerry did (Cork) will any of these teams be a real contenders ?

Tyrone have won AIs through the back door as Kerry have, but this year I would be surprised if any of these teams are in the final. Tyrone fans can claim loss of players through injury as can Kerry and each set of fans can claim to have the best team, style of play etc etc.

Darragh O Se talked in his article about his realisation of how other counties seen Kerry, the last 10 yrs has shown Kerry people in a different light. Mike Sheehy talked about respect that Tyrone have not earned he would need to wake up. It is a great sign of respect to Tyrone that Kerry take it personal and feel that this is unfinished business, that they need a Tyrone scalp. Well THIS IS their best opportunity. If it comes down to Mickey Harte vs Jack (I have to beat Tyrone before I retire) O  Connor where would you put your money?

I was in Killarney a few years ago enjoying the Kingdom when Tyrone v Cork AI semi was on, and was amazed at the number of Cork fans in Kerry jerseys. A few of these fans came up to us to admit that they would prefer not to meet Tyrone as they feared us more than Cork. So Mike Sheehy don't be afraid and don't go getting personal or there are a few weminn with handbags coming your way.     

TBH it doesnt really matter who wins between Armagh and Tyrone (as long as its Tyrone  ) none of them are exactly going to go on and treaten Kerry Cork Dublin Kildare Mayo and the likes. Ulster football is definitely on the wane, it needs the likes of Tyrone and Down and Armagh and Donegal when they played a different style, to keep the youngsters interested.

A lot of young fellas/girls have grown up knowing/seeing a great deal of success including All irelands and that generated alot for the GAA in the north, not only in Tyrone but all counties. This level of achievement will need to be maintained to keep the same levels of interest. Sorry a different topic don't want to hi jack. Back to slagging

Sean is not injured, nor is Coney O Neill Mugsy Joe or anyone else in the squad. We will be flying fit come the 10th and Brian is only there to make sure the water gets on quickly. Armagh beware we will be in with the strimmers on the 9th, just to make sure there is no long grass 

There are plenty of top class inter county footballers who never were outstanding in youth football. Phillip Jordan never played for his school team or Tyrone minors but he was determined to succeed.

Jordan was a star player at school level. He won everything as a minor.

Not sure were ballymac is getting his info

From the man himself. I think he would know best. He was at a youth presentation explaining how he had the determination to succeed but was not a first choice player on his school team or county team at youth level.

Tyrone injury list is growing and the number of walking wounded is growing. Also events taking place elsewhere are to say the least a distraction. This game is set up for Armagh to win and I don't think it will be a south armagh ambush but a full frontal attack.

Tyrone need to change their game plan as the Armagh manager (McGeeney) has been taking the last few sessions with his team.
Get your money on Armagh now

I think that Arsne may have been correct in saying
At 12 you can detect if technically a player can make it or not. At 14 to 16 you can detect if physically he will be able to cope with the demands of professional sport. And from 16 to 18 you can start to see if a player understands how to connect with other players. At 20 the mental side of things kick in. How does he prepare? How does he cope with life's temptations and the sacrifices a top player must make? This is a job where you must be ready. If you get a chance, you have to take it.

So talent may be evident at a young age, as young as 8, but only time will tell if they develop into truly talented players. Also what level of talent are you talking about? Is it the ability to play the game at youth level, club level or at the top level.
I have witnessed young players 'grow into themselves' and improve from the age of 14 - 18 while so called better players never improved. During my playing days (bad knee could have been etc ) I seen some players go in both directions.
But for me talent is the having something that can't be coached (a topic of its own) and that is determination to succeed, improve, develop. When coaching young players and you see them develop a skill, they have a talent. When you  see a young player turn a game around when the chips are down, he has a talent.
There are plenty of top class inter county footballers who never were outstanding in youth football. Phillip Jordan never played for his school team or Tyrone minors but he was determined to succeed.