Messages

Error of his ways? I dont see any error of his ways in say a man taking up arms for his country. This whole thing about changing names is a total pile of bollox. Leave it be and just get on with it.

It's not really a pile of bollox though, is it? There are club names out there which are a problem...

No there are not except to people who are going around looking for a problem. Do you think people who are offended by Kevin Lynch's name being on GAA club will suddenly start respecting the GAA if it is moved? Like I said a pile of complete bollox. Go up to Dublin and see the amount of streets named after people like Cromwell and I dont see lines of people expressing their outrage about it.

Uh, yes? I live in the North. There are many people in the middle ground who don't like the way many names and such relate to the Troubles. These are not the hardcore Unionists or Loyalists, but secular everyday people not in either community just going about their lives, vote Green or Alliance, and would love the opportunity for their kids to play different sports. Their wider family may also have been impacted by the Troubles (like many families here). They might play football and rugby, but usually not GAA due to being uncomfortable as it's exclusive. They see the way the names are venerated in that the GAA is stuck in that and not moving on. I can't disagree with that personally either...

I literally know these people and I work with and are friends with some of them. They've told me this. If the GAA did take a stance to move past these names, they absolutely would respect the sport more. The same like many respected the GAA when we got rid of Rules 27 and 42 in the past. The GAA has moved forward before, and needs to do so again on this. Heads in the sand doesn't work here, change is needed.

It's really not bollox, especially if we want to grow the sport in the North. It is stuck at current levels otherwise and won't grow into the middle ground. Rugby has changed. For example it has got rid of certain flags, Northern Ireland flags are not waved at Ulster matches any more and you won't hear GSTQ. They now accept a very much more varied crowd in recent years, with around 30% of fans now from a Catholic background. That would be unheard of the other way round in GAA...

The modern GAA is the most popular it has ever been. You will never win over a certain section of northern society because the GAA isn't solely a sporting organisition - it is a cultural one too that has implicit ambitions of a reunified Ireland. To remove that cultural aspect is to lobotomise what the GAA is and, in doing so, alienate the core support that it already has. And for what? To win over a few thousand (secular alliance party/green party voters as you have described above) people who love a spin to Dublin on the pints no matter what the sport happens to be (the types that spend €100 on a ticket to an autumn international rugby match but wouldn't attend a club rugby match).

In short, if you actually think the GAA should change, get involved and make the case for change from within. What I suspect you want to do is the opposite - hurl from the ditch and complain but invest no effort yourself in bringing such change about.

Only reasonable thing fixtures committee can do, while keeping the league 'fair':
1. League commence after Tyrone out of the Championship
2. Some league fixtures pre Championship
3. Championship
4. Finish League

Presuming league is split in A and B as last year with bottom teams in each group entered into playoffs to see who is relegated/promoted.

Before everyone looses the run of themselves; I know it is crap, the whole summer wasted, end of league is dead rubber, guys training for ages etc. etc.

What other alternatives are there if relegation is to be maintained (4 points for non-starred games is not realistic)? There will have to be a trade off somewhere in regards fixtures/county player availability/relegation and promotion - just wonder what peoples thoughts are on what that should be.

Meghan Windsor is getting it somewhat today from the British media for daring to say the Royals are racist...

Imagine that!

No time for the Royals but she is poison.
At least she should have the balls to name who the racist was instead of just tarring them all with the same brush. Sure didn't she marry the biggest racist of them all nazi raghead Harry. Yet she seems surprised ffs.

Harry is a racist but he married a woman who is half-black?

On the Nazi accusation - is this in reference to the Nazi costume years ago? (I'm not exposed to the day-to-day royal stuff where I live)

If so, it was stupid, tone-deaf and insensitive, but a kid wearing an offensive costume like that is not necessarily indicative of racist or fascist sympathies.

Unless there is other history there, in which case, carry on.

FFS-I have heard it all now

She was shocked that she would have to courtesy to the Queen and didn't know until a few minutes before she met her for the first time.

She didn't know who Harry was and had to Google him

She knew nothing about what had happened with Princess Diana

She didn't know what she was getting into

A spoiled brat who has had it her own way her whole life (because she's a cute minor celebrity) and didn't like to have to play second fiddle is more like it

Who cares?

[I don't think the GAA will be in a position to choose which goes first]

With IC not being given an exemption this year, I fear it'll be much later in the year before club football can be played. IC, I would think, would be given clearance to be played first whenever that is. Club football will be given clearance much later. I don't think the GAA will be in a position to choose which goes first. Their hands may be tied if they want to get both completed this year.

Exactly. Choice is out of their hands on that one.

Wouldn't a club championship draw be great to break the boredom.
Go on someone do a pretend one 

First out of the pot: Clonoe Vs Coalisland...

What's the thoughts on this?

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40211579.html

None, he's finished and was finished for about 4 years before that.

He won 2 all stars in the last 4 years?

Don't let that fact get in the way of anything 

County before club it looks like after meeting with County chairpersons today - National League to start 20th February possibly

That would leave club league starting approx. May or June? (Depending on Tyrone Championship run and covid regulations at the time, obviously)

I think club leagues can start at normal times (end of March/early April) but you will have to play without county players until county season is over. In Tyrones case, surely they could play the 5 starred games in April / May / June time (for example, every fortnight) and then continue season when county players are available which will be latest mid July.
It wouldn't be fair to ask club players to sit idle until July time and then try to cram in a full league and championship in 5/6 months.

I'd have thought the same. Start early May and play the starred games. I'm not sure what the format of the leagues is going to be. Going forward they talked about playing 11 games with and 11 without county players. The 11 without would work well in giving fixtures April to June. Though it could league to teams with county men having a bad start to the league. Also it's doubtful they'd get 11 matches played with the county men from July.

Personally I think the 7 game league and championship worked well with the county men this year. I'd keep that and have some other regional league running April to June without county men. Give players regular games and good preparation without penalising them for having county men. Would make for a very competitive league come July with teams having to perform to avoid regulation.

Given that the split season is going to be coming in next year anyway, I would imagine the CB probably will try to keep it as close to the split season as possible. As for the point about starting the leagues in normal times (end March/start Apr) I don't think that will fly with the likely covid restrictions that will be in place around then. Interesting times at the moment, things that seemed sacrosanct previously being changed in a generally better direction for the ordinary gael.

County before club it looks like after meeting with County chairpersons today - National League to start 20th February possibly

That would leave club league starting approx. May or June? (Depending on Tyrone Championship run and covid regulations at the time, obviously)

What was Mickeys CV like before he was appointed. He had done a good job with the minors.

Just saying.

Won the Ulster Club with Errigal Ciaran.

All great teams have strong and consistent spines, I was trying to think over the last 5 years who would fill this void for Tyrone?

3. McNamee
6.
8.
9.
11.
14.

Is it fair to suggest that McNamee is the only player who consistently played in one of these jerseys? It is pretty mad to think that Harte has never  established someone to consistently fill at least half or 3/4s of these positions. I know the game is more fluid now but even today you couldnt say what position Harte or Donnelly play for Tyrone.

Very true omagh_gael. Harte, Donnelly, McGeary, Burns, Hampsey plus others constantly moved and changed. No chance of getting a settled team with that much change.

I've no doubt that its time for Mickey to move on, what he has done for Tyrone football will be remembered forever and everyone should be very thankful to him for it. Time waits for no man though and unfortunately for him his time has come. He has been given loads of time/resources/money (some may say too much) to build another team but alas it hasn't worked out. The frustrating thing for myself is that this team has huge potential and we aren't getting the best out of them, even yesterday, that match was there for the taking and again that chance wasn't taken advantage off. Another thing I've noticed over the last few years is a worrying lack of discipline creeping in from some of our players (on a few occasions yesterday ie McGeary, McCann were guilty of mouthing to the ref and frees being moved in) no top team does that, Donnelly showed his frustration to McCann on one occasion for this. Also there was countless lazy tackles put in that resulted in cheap frees, not exactly a forte of the great Tyrone teams who were exemplary in their tackling.

Going forward who is best placed for the job? I have no doubt that McGuinness would improve this team, would he cost much more than Harte is on at the minute? I'd say doubtful. I would go for him, his attention to detail is second to none with fantastic game management. I think his style of play with Donegal was dictated by the players at his disposal, I wouldn't be surprised if his style changed if he takes over this bunch of Tyrone players.

As some have alluded too, the County board may be reluctant to go outside the county. If that's the case, front runners would be Logan, Canavan, Dooher I believe. Although inexperienced at this level, I still think that this would be an improvement, mainly due to the fact that they would bring a lot of much needed freshness. Interesting times ahead, can we rely on the Count board to make the correct decision? We will soon find out.

Jim McGuinness wouldn't take Tyrone - regardless, I don't think he would be asked.

Would be hard to see Logan/Canavan/Dooher combination getting the job as they haven't managed much in the past few years. Other options within the county with experience:
Malachy O'Rourke and Ryan Porter
Paddy Tally
Collie Holmes

I'm sure there are bound to be more.

[Kennedy]

What's our best midfield pairing now.

At the minute we have:

Kennedy
Kilpatrick
R Donnelly
McDonnell
C McCann
McClure

You have the likes of M Donnelly and Hampsey who have played there in the past but they are better utilised elsewhere, as McKenna will be when he returns.

Richie Donnelly is the best footballer of that lot but I do worry about his pace in a big match in Croke Park. Kennedy had an ok year last time around, it was his first year at intercounty football so you have to show patience with him. Kilpatrick is very inexperienced as well. I don't think McClure or McCann are up to holding down a regular place either and I'd put McDonnell in the same bracket there. Grugan had left the panel I think but he really underwhelmed in the opportunities he was given.

In light of this I think Harte should probably be looking to bring Paudie McNulty back into the squad.

you are talking sh1t  there will be football by june

I agree, July at the latest.

No county games with crowds more than 5,000 until August. Club before then?
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/coronavirus-all-mass-gatherings-in-state-set-to-be-banned-until-autumn-1.4234326

[JMcMahon]

              Skelton
McMenamin McGarvey Lynch
McCabe Gormley JMcMahon
    McKenna SCavanagh
Cavlan  OHagan  OMulligan
SONeill F McGuigan Canavan

And that, my friend,   is a team!

Phillip Jordan - 4 All Stars.
Brian Dooher - 3 All Stars.

[see some investment being made in a ground like Dungannon]

Looking like a washout Saturday.Pomeroy on standby apparently be some culture shock for the Blues.

Some culture shock is right. How would their entourage fit in those changing rooms?

a club senior team can barely fit in the changing rooms and often have to move half the lads into another changing room to get togged out, and then bring everyone into the one room for the team talk. I would guess the majority of the dublin lads have never experienced anything like that before... and i would think pomeroy might pull the old trick were the electric for the building has suddenly stopped working, leaving the changing rooms with no source of light 

also worth noting that the warm up is done on a tiny area of the back pitch that is literally surrounded by parked cars, it would make for an interesting spectacle.

Truly hope the game goes to pomeroy

The game needs to be played there to embarrass the county board into doing something with Omagh pitch

They've already been embarrassed into doing so.

I think the county could really do with a more than reliable second venue though in the east of the county. It would be good to see some investment being made in a ground like Dungannon and making it fit to hold league games.

Grounds are a kip, pitch is crap. No parking and unable to sort out a conflict with a local farmer means the back road into it looks like something in Aleppo. There is bound to be better candidates.

There is bound to be a better option for development in the East apart from Dungannon Clarke's.

[14 outfield coalisland players]

I'll have a go at this then for a bit of value, lets see who times proves correct.


Clonoe v Coalisland

I'll have a go with the Rahillys here, Coalisland are an ageing team at this stage and O'Hagan probably won't be the man to finish off players that have served him well in the past. I think Clonoe will benefit massively from McAliskey with the club all year and the McDonnell factor might bring a bite of badness back to Clonoe. Clonoe gave Trillick a good run of it last year but ultimately just didn't have enough, they'll quietly fancy themselves to chin Coalisland. Tie of the round.

Moy v Derrylaughan

Great tie for both teams who I reckon will be struggling badly in the league by the time this game comes around. This one could go eitherway, I'd stick my head on the block for Derrylaughan as any kind of injury to either of the Cavanaghs will finish off the Moy hopes. Won't be surprised if this one ends in the annual brawl that the first round of the Championship usually brings.

Galbally v Trillick

Trillick are Trillick, do the basics so well - don't make many mistakes and have about 4/5 players all capable of scoring their quota. They'll be favourites for this and the Championship so I can't really see past them myself. But Galbally will not be one bit worried about playing them, in a strange way this could be the best tie they could have got. I fancy Galbally to be rightly up in the league come this one being played - I think Trillick will win this by experience but don't think it will be the walkover some might predict.

Killyclogher v Carrickmore

What do Carrickmore have left in the tank? Still playing a right few of the older players, Gormley probably kept them in the Championship v Edendork last year. This could be the year it all catches up with them. Killyclogher are a very good senior side. I would imagine they'll win this one but Carrickmore won't give them anything on the plate that can be certain.

Loughmacrory v Dungannon

Has to be Dungannon, learned hard lessons v Omagh last year. Recruitment of a former Tyrone U20 player. now and the pressure will be on with this draw to go on a bit of a run. Loughmacrory have a lot of very good young players - this could be one of the games of the first round. The Lough will have no fear of Dungannon but Dungannon now have that years experience. Lough might be going balls out in first 8/9 league games to get the points and could be worn down by that stage depending on how Senior football treats them on their return.

Ardboe v Donaghmore

Fancy Donaghmore to struggle in the league. They've always been comfortable without setting the world alight in Senior. Do they have anything about them or ambition? This draw gives them a big chance to take on a good team and make a statement. I think Ardboe will be too cute and probably might just resort to bullying Donaghmore to get the job done.

Errigal Ciaran v Pomeroy

The disaster draw for Pomeroy. With all their county men fit and up to speed they'll give it a good rattle - they'll fancy themselves but Senior will be tough for them this year. Depends how they hold up with injury and how they are doing in the league but Errigal go into this one as heavy favourites and probably the tie you'll put the house on right now if forced to pick a winner.

Omagh v Dromore

Dromore have a huge point to prove to all of Tyrone after last year. That will be ringing in their ears at every training session from now to this tie. I can imagine exactly what they are being told up in Gardrum every night. What happened them last year won't be allowed to happen again. Omagh are a very good team though, this will be a great game. I will call this one a draw with Omagh to go on in the replay for a bit of variety. Both teams need to win this one as their recent Championship records haven't been great and should be one of the ties of the opening round too.

you do realise of the 14 outfield coalisland players against trillick in last years semi final 9 are under 25?  however i'm looking forward to see how McDollar copes with the pressure of another well paid clonoe manager coming up against us in the championship!

R.e. Coalisland's age profile - above point is continually missed. They should be there or there abouts for a good few years.