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Armagh v Donegal and Tyrone v Monaghan next weekend have a Championship feel to them ... win and you're in the league semi-final, lose and your in a relegation playoff.  A lot of injuries picked up this weekend and will have a big say on next week's fixtures, still all to play for though for all 4 teams in Div 1 North.  With crowds of 500 allowed back at games from May 24th I believe, any idea how they will manage the ticket allocation for next week's games?

Be interesting to see, given to Covid heroes I'd imagine, and I don't say that sarcastically - much preferable than club officers  nabbing them all. 500 is nothing, could have had 10,000+ at Armagh v Tyrone at the weekend

Surely they'll have to split the allocation between each squad for players families *if* Croke Park allow the gates to be opened for Inter County for IC games.

Seems the most logical thing to do.

2 tickets per squad member would probably have 200 covered anyway.

The squad is being kept very hush hush anyway.

The following players haven't made the 26 in the opening two league games whether they are still about or not. I know some of them were talked about being cut a while back

J Monroe
C Quinn
P Teague
C Grimes
N Kelly
A Clarke
S Hammill
B McDonnell
C Kilpatrick
C McAliskey
T Quinn
D McNulty
D Kerr
C McShane

Other than McShane or McAliskey I don't see too many there who will be pushing for a place this season.

I thought that was a clusterfuck of refereeing performances at the weekend.

Cassidy and Hurson with two very bad performances, Cassidy in particular.

The Team played better as a whole because they had natural forwards. The limits of McGeary and Myler aren't as evident when McCurry and Canavan are providing a threat.

McCurry simply has to start. He has all the talent you'd ever need.
Mattie Donnellly, and Harte were much better.
McGeary gives the ball away far to much.
Burns is a very limited footballer
Myler needs to offer more, much more.
McKenna was quiet.

What game were you watching?

Meyler had another very good game again.

Set up a number of scores including a brilliant 50 yard pass right onto the chest of Bradley which was converted by a mark and a brilliant score on the outside of the foot at the end. And the volume of work he gets through, the tackles he makes and the defensive work he does is all taken for granted. He's probably the most improved player I've seen in the first two games under the new management.

The Covid format isn't fair on Ros.

In with 3 teams who would probably have beaten them in regular Division 1 but with another 8 points up for grabs.
They could have found a rhythm but losing 3/3 is hard psychologically. Are they 1 of the 2 worst teams in D1? The standard in the other section is worse.

The proof will be in the pudding in the relegation playoffs. I would say Galway and Roscommon are arguably the two weakest Div 1 teams.

Kerry got away with a level of aggression I don't think any other county in the country would be allowed to with Dublin in that second half today.

Could not understand why Comerford kept going for short kickouts and Dublin kept trying to run the ball out from the back when they were being pulled and dragged back until they lost the ball.

Good game. Dublin should have had the game dead in the first half when Kerry were trying to play open football, as soon as Kerry changed to bringing that bit of dirt into in the second half it was a lot more enjoyable.

I see golf's version of Lleyton Hewitt not going to stop the rot this tome either.

We'd want to see McShane for the League relegation playoff/ semi final pending the outcome of the league next week.

It's great that all 4 teams have something to play for next week.

Big issue for me is how poor mckenna seems to be playing. He seems frustrated and not enjoying his position. Played only a few games last year but made a huge impact while he seems to he struggling so far. Early days yet so hopefully he can turn it around.

Shooting needs worked on, a number if men had a few poor wides. Burns and hampsey come to mind.

McKenna is a huge worry. Seems very frustrated at how little involvement he's had. For me he's not an inside player. I know we are short McShane and need a ball winner inside but it's not McKenna. He should be playing out the field, preferably at 11.

McCurry won a lot of ball in the second half when the supply was right to him. We could do with McNulty or McAliskey in there if they are available.

McClure was another one who had a very poor wide earlier. I'd be very worried if Burns is picked again to start next week. He was poor again yesterday.

Is Kilpatrick still in the squad? Surely worth a run at midfield.

Keith Higgins would been the best of the old type defenders, could actually defend 1 on 1 but all the traits of the modern game to go forward

The issue doesn't really seems to be more with half backs and half forwards not tracking men.

I actually thought McNamee and Hampsey were very solid for Tyrone today, the real issue was the runners were coming through the middle and players were abdicating tracking those runs. I think we have had a huge issue at 6 for quite some time now and have tried a number of players out there.

The penalty miss was the turning point in that game.

Very worrying how easily Tyrone were penetrated through the middle by Armagh.

Armagh clearly have the fowards to trouble teams but I think their defence and mobility around the middle will be their undoing.

They look like they will be very patched up against Donegal next week.

McKenna has had two very poor performances now.

He needs to play at 11 though. For me he is the player this team should be building around.

Harte had an excellent game today, that's the class he has - we just need to have it on a consistent basis and he probably should be settled as a wing back now. Donnelly did a lot better than Donegal too but I still don't know where he plays best. I'm thinking midfield.

Donaghy has the quality but will frustrate, spills a lot of ball and coughs up in the tackle very easily for a big man but he has that quality and finishing ability, as well as frees which you can carry him for. That's why I think he is much better further out the field that when it's tight inside.

Canavan played an unusual role, I thought his defensive work was top notch, made loads of good tackles and interceptions and used the ball well when he got on it.

When McCurry is on it he is a joy to watch, that point by the endline was sublime with the pick up.

I just don't see it with Burns. Sludden made a big impact when he came on.

Midfield obviously a huge issue.

I'd go with the following for Monaghan.

1. Morgan
2. Brennan
3. McNamee
4. Hampsey
5. Rafferty
6. Cassidy
7. Harte
8. M Donnelly
9. R Donnelly
10. Donaghy
11. McKenna
12. Meyler
13. McCurry
14. Canavan
15. McGeary

McShane will hopefully be the key to giving the team balance when he returns but I'd be doubtful at the impact he can make in a short season like this year.

No McAliskey or McNulty in the squad again tonight? Injured?

Any word on who was dropped yet?

Thought Munroe did alright again this evening.

The three problem areas we have are:

1. Midfield
2. Centre back
3. Inside ball winner

Meyler with a fantastic 50 yard pass to set Bradley up for a point with a mark and then a wonderful long range outside of the foot point there.

If he can begin to chip in with a point or two a game he is more than worth his place on the team with his work rate and stopping ability.

The pace of players today make it impossible for defenders to play in open games. Imagine trying to deal with a prime Lee Keegan, Paddy Durcan, McCaffrey, Con O'Callaghan etc running off the shoulder at full pelt when you're on the backstep. You've no chance.

McCurry has been immense this evening.

First half thoughts:

- We are a mess at the back, can't handle people running at us
- Burns has been terrible, so has McClure - a Div 3 standard midfield in all honesty
- Meyler has ran into a few blind alleys
- McCurry really sharp, Canavan too
- Donaghy oozes class but spills the ball too easily in contact
- McKenna continuing to be misused and looks frustrated
- Harte has been really good
- Gough being a fanny as usual - just booked Campbell for not having a gumshield in - such a pedant
- Not sure 6 is the place for Mattie
- McGeary has been really quiet, not getting on the amount of ball he had last week