Tyrone Club Football and Hurling

[DuperDee]

Quote Onion Bag

Recently? Let's be fair about, even in 2003 Tyrone had 6 defenders on the bench that would have made nearly every other team in the country. The forward problem was glossed over then because Stevie was on the bench and realistically he was the only real scoring threat we had coming on. Same in 05, 6 quality defenders and Canavan was on the line as a scoring threat. And thus emerges the myth of Tyrone's strength in depth. Don't get me wrong, McCullagh and Penrose aren't bad options to have when you have O'Neill, Canavan, Mulligan and big Sean ahead of them as scoring options, and McGuigan, McGinley and Dooher providing quality ball, but as seen in this years ill fated campaign, when they have to step up and take responsibility without a few of the leading lights it appeared they didn't have the necessary quality to cut it at this level. It may have been different with McGuigan pulling the strings but who can say. While they shouldn't be disgarded yet, it should be fairly clear they're in last chance saloon.

No doubt the forwards that are there at present are not of the same quality as the past masters. Most would agree that O'Neill and Mulligan are fragile without the older heads. They are not real leaders but players that when they are on their game are brilliant - but cannot recover from a poor start to their own game.

The problem shown last year was a weak bench regarding forwards

Onion Bag did not mention Justin McMahon as a possible forward. He seemed to be doing a lotta scoring for Omagh and should have been in the panel this year. He will not be a real player this year but should be there

[muddypitch]

who is the ladies management team fintona?

[winghalfun]

Has the squad now been finalised? Heard direct from a certain player that he got a phone call on Tuesday morning inviting him to a fitness trial on Saturday morning.
I am not sure if this is just a final weeding out process or just another trial which is why I don't want to mention names.

[Fuzzman]

What's the status of our possible squad for 2007?
Who is likely to break into the squad?

Packie – Back for another year of eye poking and long kickouts
J.Devine – Are they still going to take turns this year or is he now No.2

Ricey – Thought he wasn't as good in 2006 but then again who was. Will he get in
     trouble in 2007
McGee – Has he finally nailed down his place now or is he too small?
Carlin   - Always promises a lot but never settles into the side? CB or HB?
Gourley – Always injured but I think can be a great defender but was poor last year.

C.McGinley – Seems to do well for club & Mickey likes him but will he be No3 this year
C.Gormley  - Returning from injury. Will he be the same? Will be at 6 or 3 or 8?
Joey McMahon – Another who gets lots of injuries and does Mickey not like playing him
          What's his best position? FB, CHB, MF?
C.Holmes – Always seems to be injured but plays the odd game. Solid but not
                         spectacular

P.Jordan – Has gone to Aus for the winter but should be to reclaim No7 shirt.
        Is he still Mr Consistent and does he whinge too much?
D.Harte – Seems slow and awkward but has made the 5 shirt his own and scored the odd
      Point

Hub – Came back last season but found the going tough and still seems to go a bit OTT
   with the physical stuff.
Cavanagh – Sean still seems to be in good form and will benefit when others around him give some support. Again is he best in MF or HF?

Cavlan – Will he be back in 2007? Will he be injured every 2nd game? His potential is awesome and I would like to see him in the team.

Dooher – If he can get over his injury, which is still very sore then he can be great again.
If not we will miss his hoovering breaking ball big time.

B.McGuigan – We know what he can do and how he controls our attack but will he come back as good from such a horrendous injury? We all expect so but maybe not so easy.

E.McGinley – Another who gets lots of injuries but when he plays puts in a lot of work and can kick scores too. Best position probably 3rd MF from Corner Forward or maybe take Dooher's role if he's out.

Mugsy – Which one? Mugsy pre-Dublin goal or Post Dublin goal. Hard to believe he scored 2-6 in 2nd Louth game but I fear in tight tough games he has fallen back a bit.

S.O'Neill – Still outstanding if given the right ball but Ref's tend to let defenders constantly pull and drag at him but play the advantage as he's so strong.

McCullagh – Brought back last year and got a few scores. Is small and accurate but finds it hard to win clean possession.
Penrose – Huge potential and think will come good when in open matches. Not sure will he start though if full squad to pick from.
Mellon – Hot and cold. Has work cut out to make starting lineup if all fit.
Mulgrew – A lot of talk about the young fella and Mikey seems to like him but has played in some very tough physical games and not really shone. Where to play him?

I don't know much about the possible new additions to the squad but by the sounds of the trials these 5 seem to be mentioned a lot.

Colm Cavanagh (Moy)
Niall McGinn (Donaghmore)
Gareth Devlin (Stewartstown)
Paul Quinn (Errigal Ciaran)
Paul Mc Gurk (Cookstown)

[tieroan]

Thanks for that Fints. Conrats on the Tyrone job by the way. Do you follow much ladies ball?
Who would you say are in contention for club player of the year in mens and ladies? Go in name four or five contenders and impress me even more sir!

[ziggysego]

Where do you get all your information from Fionntamhnach and so quickly?

[hairyhog]

Any word on any discipline action that was to be taken against Errigal and Coalisland players in the U21 final. Thought our 'county board' had video evidence, surely this would have effected Errigal players in the Club Championships?

[Flirtyflan]

Errigal wins the reserve championship. Beating Carmen on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-6 

[EC Unique]

Another cup in a great year.

[never kickt a ball]

New to this sludden. What's the problem with Dominic?

[Norf Tyrone]

New to this sludden. What's the problem with Dominic?

No its Domnic (Sic).

Whisper it....Sludden loves him, but in a I hate him way shussh...

[Redhandfan]

Dungannon 2-14 Moortown 2-13 (AET)
Moortown lost their senior status today at a wet and windy Edendork but, in the humble opinion of this neutral spectator, the loughshore men can count themselves very unfortunate to be dropping down to Division Two.  They were the better team in normal time and led for almost the entire game.  However, there was major controversy when referee Sludden played five minutes of injury-time and Dungannon managed to grab an equalising goal right at the death to force extra-time.  Just where those five minutes of added time came from was a complete mystery.  Even some of the Dungannon supporters were baffled by it.  There were very few stoppages in the second half and I was certain that there would only be at most two minutes of injury-time.  Interestingly, there did not appear to be a fourth official at this match and it was never announced to the sizeable crowd how many extra minutes would be played.  Some of the crowd had even left the ground before the final whistle, so sure were they that Moortown had done enough to win the game.

Anyhow, Moortown played with a fairly strong wind advantage in the first half and were dominant were for much of that period.  Chris Lawn lined out in the rather unusual position of right half forward, with his twin brother Stephen operating at full forward, and they were among the scorers as Moortown cruised into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead with half-time approaching.  Moortown were on top in most sectors and P.J. Quinn was doing a good man-marking job on Dungannon dangerman Gerard Cavlan.  However, the Clarkes, who conceded an own goal in this half, were thrown a lifeline just before the break when one of their substitutes fisted to the net.  That score came somewhat against the run of play but helped keep Dungannon in contention at the interval.

Moortown went seven up early in the second half with the help of a second goal, but then sat back and allowed wind-assisted Dungannon to chip away at their lead.  Although the Clarkes pressed strongly in the final quarter and succeeded in reducing the deficit to three points at the end of the sixty minutes, it never looked likely that Moortown would ever be caught.  Yet, as most people were waiting for the final whistle, the referee kept playing on and amazingly Dungannon snatched an equalising goal in the fifth minute of injury time.  It came out of the blue and earned them a draw they scarcely deserved.  It was tough on a Moortown team who had played the better football for long periods. 

Gerard Cavlan certainly improved as this game went on and he was a key figure in the Clarkes comeback.  He kicked some very impressive points both in the second half and throughout extra-time.  Despite the 2pm start to this game, extra-time was played in near darkness.  It also got very cold and wet but most of the crowd stayed on, including Donegal boss Brian McIvor who was an interested spectator.  Moortown had wind advantage again for the first period of extra-time.  They led 2-12 to 2-10 at the end of this period, although were lucky to survive a Gerard Cavlan goal attempt which was well saved.  The Moortown men tired considerably in the final period and it was Dungannon who managed to sneak in front and hold out for the narrowest of victories.  As Dungannon celebrated the most unlikely of wins, I spotted a few irate Moortown supporters heading in the direction of the referee as he made his way off the field. 

It is hard to see the long-serving Lawn twins carrying on much longer.  This is a fairly youthful Moortown team and, having recently won the Grade Two U-21 Championship, will be expected to do well at Intermediate level next season.  As they re-build, the Lawns might think now is the time to bow out.  Whatever they decide to do, no one can deny that they have been wondeful servants for their club.  As for Dungannon, they are an average enough team who still rely heavily on Cavo.  Without him, they would surely struggle in the senior grade.         

[never kickt a ball]

New to this sludden. What's the problem with Dominic?

No its Domnic (Sic).

Whisper it....Sludden loves him, but in a I hate him way shussh...

Sorry about the wrong name norf. I'm sure DOMNIC will understand it was a typing error???

[never kickt a ball]

Great report redhand fan. Great read Thanks!

[na cleirigh]

clarkes back in the big time! some party last night!!