McKenna Cup 2024

[Boozehell]

The programme that was bought last night is the same one for every game in the Mc Kenna Cup.  If anybody went to the Ulster Club Championship games the programmes for them were a disgrace.  For instance Mayobridge v Dromore in Newry.  Who cared if Jim Bob Smith was playing Harry Ramsden in Casement Park in the Ulster Junior Championship.  All I wanted to see was a programme dedicated to that match. 

[downredblack]

The programme that was bought last night is the same one for every game in the Mc Kenna Cup.  If anybody went to the Ulster Club Championship games the programmes for them were a disgrace.  For instance Mayobridge v Dromore in Newry.   Who cared if Jim Bob Smith was playing Harry Ramsden in Casement Park in the Ulster Junior Championship.  All I wanted to see was a programme dedicated to that match. 

At least you got one 

[RadioGAAGAA]

Boozehell.  I wore my nfl wristband for the first 15 minutes of the game and as I continued to watch the most cynical Down team  I have ever seen, throw punch after punch off the ball with the referee giving the Tyrone players no protection I ripoped off my wristband stamped on it, and called the linesman, referee, Ulster council and the mouthy Down fan with the Gaelic Life skull cap in front all the hoors of the day  I felt totally justified in doing so. I will never take my great grannys best friend to another Down match again.. ever?
NFL = No f$$$ing linesman

I think the technical term for it is "giving you diving tramps a reason to go down" 

[tyroneman]

I think this goes way beyond training - any player who fancies his chances at county (or even good club) standard should be practicing with his weak foot from a young age.

Jaysus Lads I'm actually very heartened by MH's approach to this McKenna Cup and if we get 2-3 new quality prospects I'll be delighted.

The above comment was only in relation to the Down poster suggesting county panels should practice shooting with the weaker foot - I don't think that county trianing sessions are the place for weak foot practice, that's all, there are more important things to be gettign on with at these get togethers.

[never kickt a ball]

Highlights from the night at Healy Park on the following link:

Move forward to the end of the first page, then move into the second page for 9.50mins:

http://u.tv/utvlive_stream/asx/20080110-hi.asx

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Jaysus Lads I'm actually very heartened by MH's approach to this McKenna Cup and if we get 2-3 new quality prospects I'll be delighted.

Absolutely, and reasonably promising so far. Sunday will tell a tale no doubt, and makes all the more creditable Kerry's introduction of young Pádraig Reidy and Killian Young seamlessly into a team of that calibre, and for them to perform with such assurance and aplomb.

[never kickt a ball]

Monaghan name strong side
10 January 2008


Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney has brought the guillotine down on experimentation in ruthless fashion when naming his strongest team in the McKenna Cup so far for the county's final group game against Antrim in Ballybay on Sunday at 2.00pm.

In keeping with his comments after the county's defeat by Cavan the axe has fallen on a number of fringe players for a game that the manager sees as crucial in his preparations for the county's league opener against Roscommon. Despite some improved performances against Cavan only one of the players who were tried in their two games so far, goal keeper, Padraig McBennett, has been named for Sunday and he was reserve keeper last year.

In naming the team he has for Sunday's game Seamus McEnaney is making a strong statement that he is approaching the game against Antrim in a totally different frame of mind as the time for experimentation is over and he is fielding a team that looks more akin to the side he will hope to have on duty on Sunday February 3rd.

"We will still be without the seven players who are on college duty for Sunday's match and all those players played championship football for Monaghan last year but the team we have named is getting down to the more serious business. The league is our focus now but then the league has been our focus since we were defeated by Kerry in the All Ireland qualifiers back in August. The Dr McKenna Cup was a chance for us to assess a number of players in a competitive situation and having seen what we have over the past two Sundays we had to sit down now and have a look at the panel that we will be working with for the National League."

This is a relatively strong Monaghan team but the fact that Monaghan have those seven college players to come back and given the performances of the likes of Daniel McNally and Neil McAdam along with the return of such as Raymond Ronaghan and Anthony Rooney the panel for 2008 has an even stronger look about it than last year. Paul McGuigan is just one of those players and his performances for UUJ have been getting rave reviews.

The team for Sunday sees Damien Freeman, Eoin Lennon and Paul Finlay getting their first starts, Finlay lining out on his home pitch, but he does leave the position of right corner vacant for the time being. Dessie Mone reverts to his more familiar role of defender and Gary McQuaid starts at centre back to give thjis Monaghan team a much more familiar look. Being staged in Pearse Park is a recognition that the famed mid Monaghan venue is coming back onto the inter county scene and the match should still attract a good attendance.

"I hope we get a good crowd" Seamus McEnaney said when releasing the team for Sunday's game "as this is our last competitive match before we play Roscommon in Clones in the league on the first Sunday in February and it would be a real boost to the boys to see a good turn out. This year again we will be taking things one game at a time and as last year our support is very important to us. Its also the first time that the county has played in Ballybay for quite a few years and its a ground where Monaghan had a great reputation as being hard to beat so we should see a good crowd on Sunday".

Monaghan: Padraig McBennett, Dessie Mone, Colm Flanagan, Dermot McArdle, Damien Freeman, Gary McQuaid, John Paul Mone, Eoin Lennon, Paul Finlay, Owen Duffy, Rory Woods, Conor McManus, AN Other, Vincent Corey, Tomas Freeman.

http://www.hoganstand.com/Monaghan/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=87572

[Frank Casey]

Absolutely, and reasonably promising so far. Sunday will tell a tale no doubt, and makes all the more creditable Kerry's introduction of young Pádraig Reidy and Killian Young seamlessly into a team of that calibre, and for them to perform with such assurance and aplomb.

Well said. No team can stand still and must evolve all the time. The two young lads done well last summer and there are one or three more that will hopefully see the light at seniors before the sheep start lambing. There's promise standing from no. 16 up in Kerry and any team that doesn't look for that whether in McKenna/O'Byrne or later in Nat League you're last year's story.

[never kickt a ball]

Saffrons nick the points while Hardstation freezes
10 January 2008


Antrim 0-10
Cavan 0-09

Antrim opened their Dr McKenna Cup campaign with a win following last night's (Wednesday) tough encounter against a spirited Cavan side at Casement Park.

The weather conditions did not help the standard of football on display as both sides found scores hard to come by with the majority of points coming from placed balls.

Nonetheless, the match was a close contest throughout and the sides were level on three occasions in the first half including at the interval.

After 15 minutes the sides were all square at 0-3 each, but points by Ryan McCormack and Eddie O'Reilly put Cavan two in front. However, the home side hit back with scores from Niall Doyle and Michael Magill to level matters at half time.

Michael McCann (2) and substitute Conor Murray helped Antrim into a three-point lead early in the second half, although these were to be the last scores until the last seven minutes when Martin Reilly narrowed the deficit for Cavan.

Reilly and McCann were in their own personal battle from frees and it was the Antrim man who came out on top as Reilly hit the post from a free late on to level the game.

http://www.hoganstand.com/Antrim/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=87567

[never kickt a ball]

Fermanagh worthy winners over Armagh
10 January 2008


Fermanagh under their new manager and former player, Malachy O'Rourke chalked up their second win in Group A of the Dr. McKenna Cup competition, when on Wednesday, 9th of January at wind and rain-swept Kingspan-Breffni Park, Cavan they were deserving winners over an experimental Armagh side on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-10.

This win sets the Fermanagh side up nicely for their top-of-the-table clash with Derry in Glen on Sunday afternoon next, 13th of January - and a win would book their place in the knock-out stages of the competition.

Fermanagh who themselves included a number of newcomers to inter-county senior ranks dominated the opening half of the game on Wednesday night, thanks to some great play around the middle of the field and at the break they were good value for their 1-7 to 0-4 lead - after leading by 1-5 to 0-1 after 23 minutes play. The Fermanagh goal came in the 18th minute from a fisted effort from the experienced Liam McBarron who lines-out in the full-forward berth.

As expected Armagh regrouped well for the start of the second-half and two early points from Gregory Loughran and Liam O'Hare gave them an early boost. They more than held their own possessionwise for the remainder of the game - which saw more bite in the play, and with the game entering the final quarter worked their way back into contention to reduce the leeway to three points 1-9 to 0-9.

However, Fermanagh never panicked and while they were put under greater pressure by the Orchard county in the closing minutes always had that little bit in hand to come away with a deserved four points success - 1-11 to 0-10. Armagh really went for 'broke' in the closing minutes for a goal that could have saved the day for them. However, they were lacking a Steven McDonnell or Oisin McConville on this occasion, and came up short in the finish.

This was a good all-round team-performance from the Fermanagh side, and their application to the task in hand and work-rate all over the field must have really pleased their new management. Two wins from two competitive starts is a good way to start the season - but their real test will come on Sunday next, 13th of January when they come up against unbeaten Derry in this eagerly awaited clash at the Glen venue.

Fermanagh - Chris Breen; Shane Goan, Shane McDermott, Declan O'Reilly; Raymond Johnston, Shane Lyons, Peter Sherry; James Sherry, Ciaran Boyle; Niall Keenan, Shaun Doherty (0-2), Ciaran McElroy (0-2); Patrick Cadden (0-4, all frees), Liam McBarron (1-0), Ronan McCabe (0-2, both free).
Subs - Jonathan McGurn for Liam McBarron; Ciaran Leonard (0-1) for Ronan McCabe; Ciaran Maguire for Niall Keenan; Mark Murphy for Shaun Doherty.

Armagh - Paudie Rodgers; Gerard McCreesh, Enda McNulty, Gerard McCoy; Kieran McKeever, Aidan O'Rourke, Finian Moriarty; Dara Edwards, Ronan Austin; Brian Mallon (0-1), Gregory Loughran (0-2), Liam O'Hare (0-1); Martin O'Rourke, Gareth Swift, Kevin O'Rourke (0-3, one free).
Subs - Mark Quinn for Ronan Austin; Paddy McKeever (0-3, two frees) for Dara Edwards; Gary Reel for Gerard McCoy.

Referee; Jimmy Galligan (Cavan
http://www.hoganstand.com/Fermanagh/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=87581

[never kickt a ball]

Another impressive victory for Derry
10 January 2008


Derry chalked up their second win in Group A of the Dr. McKenna Cup after two starts when on Wednesday, 9th of January at the Ballinderry venue they defeated a determined St. Mary's U.C., Belfast side on a scoreline of 1-15 to 2-8. This was an interesting game from start to finish with the students to their credit taking the game to their more experienced opponents for long periods, and really 'having a go'.

However, in the end the Oak Leaf county had too much strength in depth with All-Star forward Paddy Bradley in lively form leading their attack and finishing the game with a personal tally of 1-5.

Despite the best efforts of the St. Mary's side the home team dominated play in the opening half, and helped by a Paddy Bradley goal in the sixth minute from a Ryan Keeley pass they went in at the break in a comfortable position leading by 1-8 to 0-4.

To the credit of the students they never gave up the fight, and made Paddy Crozier's Derry side work hard to the final whistle. They scored two goals in the second-half from John Cunningham and an effort from Paul McAleer in the closing minutes, but it wasn't enough to trouble a strong and focussed Derry side who always had something in hand. They can now look forward to their top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten Fermanagh on Sunday afternoon next, 13th of January at the Glen venue, and that should be an interesting encounter.

Derry - J. Deighan; N. Holy, K. McGuckin, J. Kane; M. McBride 0-1, N. McCusker 0-1, F. McEldowney; Fergal Doherty, A. McElhone; R. Keely 0-2, C. O'Kane 0-1, S. L. McGoldrick; E; Lynn 0-1, Paddy Bradley 1-5, 0-3 from frees, C. Mullan 0-3, 2 frees.
Subs - Liam Hinphey for J. Kane; C. Devlin 0-1 for S. L. McGoldrick; M. Craig for N. McCusker; O. Brown for E. Lynn; K. McCloy for N. Holly.

St. Mary's - B. Marron; D. Smith, M. Digney, K. O'Boyle; M. McKeever, S. O'Neill, B. Og Maguire; J. Kelly, G. O'Neill 0-1; B. McGoldrick 0-3, one free, C. Niblock, N. McVeigh; S. Donaghy, M. Pollock 0-1 from a free, P. Carville 0-4, 3 frees.
Subs - T. Hackett for K. O'Boyle; J. McCormack for S. Donaghy; S. Cunningham 1-0 for N. McVeigh; P. McAleer for G. O'Neill 1-0 and R. Hamill for B. McGoldrick.

Referee: Gregory Walsh from Antrim.

http://www.hoganstand.com/Derry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=87579

[never kickt a ball]

Austin injury setback for Armagh
Armagh midfielder Ronan Austin suffered a broken leg in the opening exchanges of Wednesday night's Gaelic Life McKenna Cup game against Fermanagh. Fermanagh ran out 1-11 to 0-10 winners at Breffni Park. The young Clan na Gael player will be out of action for several months and will almost certainly miss the Orchard county's National League campaign. Armagh manager Peter McDonnell will hope to have Austin back in action for the Ulster Championship.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7182329.stm

[never kickt a ball]

McGuigan returns to Tyrone squad
Friday, 11 January 2008 13:23
Brian McGuigan could make his first appearance in more than two years for Tyrone this weekend.

McGuigan, whose career has been devastated by a broken leg, followed by a serious eye injury, has been named in the subs for the Dr McKenna Cup clash with Donegal.

It's the first time the double All-Ireland winner and All-Star playmaker has been included in the match-day squad this season.

Manager Mickey Harte has once again rung the changes for Sunday's trip to Ballyshannon.

He has made seven changes from the side that started in midweek, with only the full back line remaining intact from the win over Down.

Johnny Curran becomes the third goalkeeper to play in as many games, with Davy Harte returning to the half back line.

A new midfield partnernship sees Colin Holmes team up with Conal Martin, and up front there are starts for Gary Reilly, Martin Penrose and Shaun O'Neill.

Tyrone (SF v Donegal): J Curran, PJ Quinn, C McCarron (Dromore), M Swift, D Harte, D Carlin, P Jordan, C Holmes, C Martin, G Reilly, C McCarron (Omagh), A McCarron, M Penrose, T McGuigan, S O'Neill.

Story from RTÉ Sport:
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0111/mcguiganb.html

[never kickt a ball]

Tyrone Team v Donegal

1    Jonathan Curran
2    PJ Quinn
3    Cathal McCarron   
4    Marty Swift
5    David Harte
6    Dermot Carlin
7    Philip Jordan
8    Colin Holmes
9    Conal Martin         
10    Gary Reilly
11    Cathal McCarron   
12    Aidan McCarron   
13    Martin Penrose
14    Tommy McGuigan
15    Shaun O'Neill

16    John Devine
17    Colm Donnelly   
18    Conor Gormley       
19    Ciaran Gourley             
20    Kelvin Hughes   
21    Colm McCullagh     
22    Mickey McGee
23    Enda McGinley
24    Brian McGuigan
25    Kevin McNally
26    Ryan Mellon           
27    Owen Mulligan           
28    Fabian O'Neill
29    Paul Rouse


As the programme is next to useless my advice is to print out this team and take it to the match with you. Well done to Tyrone by the way. Their communictaion of the team sheet early for each of their games is much appreciated and shows a respect and consideration for the supporters which I'm afraid is generally not the norm.

[never kickt a ball]

Anyone notice a trend here:

Donegal Footballers back from the sun holiday11 January 2008


Donegal senior footballers will be hoping to get their first victory in this season's Dr. McKenna Cup campaign when he come back from a warming holiday in the sun for their Dr. McKenna Cup clash with Tyrone at Father Tierney Park, Ballyshannon on Sunday. Both sides have already lost their opening round game to UUJ, and a win is vital if they are to stay in contention for a place in the knock-out stages of the competition. When Donegal and Tyrone meet in any competitive game it is always interesting and exciting and that should be the case once again this Sunday at the Ballyshannon venue.
http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=87625