Never an easy cauldron to get out of with points, but we'll do our damnedest. The more recent game we've had (against Cavan this evening) may help us, especially the 2nd half performance, and hoping that we can continue in that productive vein. :)
It was said after the Dublin v Donegal game that Donegal are 16 games unbeaten in Ballybofey with the last defeat in 2010.
That's a fair unbeaten run in Mac Cumhail in fairness, though time that monkey was wrenched from their backs (and midfield, and forwards) ;)
Down, in the championship in 2010, the last team to win in Ballybofey. Antrim, Monaghan and Derry (their lone win over us this century) won there in the championship in the previous two years - shows you what an effect McGuinness had!
I'd say Ballyshannon has a similar record. Letterkenny, on the other hand - we have an awful record there!
With the U21 game on this week between the two as well then I am expecting another fiery affair between these two.
There will be a lot of young players on view from both sides who have got to know each other well over the last few years at minor and U21 level.
Tyrone used to hold the upper hand for years over Donegal but that has all changed of late and Donegal see themselves as better than Tyrone in recent years.
With a lot of the older Donegal guard now retired or taking time out the younger lads will be determined not to hand the power back to the red hands.
They will be very spirited by their draw against Dublin and will know a win against Tyrone will be important to stop their growing confidence and possible shot at a league title.
Interesting wee article in the Indo about Tyrone's more direct style of late.
Red Hand on hunt for goals with Donnelly experiment
After seeing his side maintain their unbeaten record and leapfrog Dublin to go top of the table, it was put to Mickey Harte that perhaps a lack of goals remained a concern.
His answer was simple.
"Goals will come. What did we get, 19 points? I don't think that is a bad return," he argued. "We can't have everything. I think any day you get 19 scores it will take a serious team to beat you."
After four games in the League, Harte's side have managed to raise just one green flag, from Aidan McCrory in the second half against Dublin.
And although Harte may have been content with his side's attacking play, he didn't say he wasn't looking for a way to improve either.
And on Sunday, there was the unusual sight of both Sean Cavanagh and Mattie Donnelly playing close to goal, with Tyrone opting to go long to the pair on occasion.
Tweaking
"It's an interesting one," Cavanagh said, when he was asked about the tactic. "Probably we haven't played with a couple of physical players in there, size-wise, and it will take maybe a wee bit of tweaking.
"But there were signs there that we were linking up quite well, and it probably gives us that wee bit more impetus to let the ball in that wee bit longer.
"This last couple of years, we ran the ball quite hard through the hands, and we obviously had the players to do that.
"But now with Mattie there, in the second half, letting the long balls in to him, it only takes one of those to go right and you're probably going to create more goal chances.
"It that's the case, and it works out like that, it will definitely be another string to our bow."
Tyrone didn't manage a goal against Cavan, creating just one chance of note, when Cavanagh's shot was easily dealt with. But Cavanagh denied that Tyrone lose something when Donnelly is pulled out of the middle third and hinted that they might they might persist with the experiment in the coming weeks.
"I think we have an awful lot of players that can play in that middle sector," he said. "While Mattie in particular is very good at running on to play, he can play in the half-back, midfield or half-forward sector and he's good coming on to play, it really does give us another string to our bow, the fact that he has that physicality inside.
"The more we have that, the more the guys will become comfortable with moving the ball in that little bit quicker.
"You can see how the likes of Dublin and Kerry and Mayo, that have dominated the top end of our game for the last three or four years, have always had that physical strength inside. At certain points in the game, they were able to move that ball in that bit quicker.
"It's something we're trying at the minute. It may not stay like that, but I think we're well equipped with the guys we have out the field."
The 34-year-old denied that the experiment hints at a lack of trust in Tyrone's inside forwards.
"I see the quality we have every day of the week in our training. You only have to look at Ronan O'Neill and Mark Bradley and the scores they were able to kick. They are on par with an awful lot of guys in Dublin or Mayo or Kerry.
"I suppose it's the one thing that has let us down, our conversion rate whether it's from free-kicks or open play. Quite often in the last few years we've had more chances, even in the games we've lost, than the teams we've played against.
"We have let ourselves down in front of goals so it probably is that last bit of being able to pick out the right man in the right place and get more accurate. If we do that, I think we'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Cavanagh came through his first 70 minutes of the season unscathed in the win over Cavan, revealing that he has missed just two collective sessions since Tyrone started training late last year.
However, his focus has switched to Saturday night's all-Ulster clash with Donegal in Ballybofey.
"I don't think Ballybofey has been a happy hunting ground for anyone in recent times," he said.
"It's going to be another big challenge, but we have openly spoken about trying to make it to a League final. If we are going to do that, we're going to have to go to places like Ballybofey and try and grind out results.
"While we played in Division 2 last year, and we probably to a certain extent cruised through some games in third or fourth gear; we know next Saturday night we're going to have to be on top of our game.
"It's going to be a war, it's another Ulster one. We played them there in 2013 and '15 and they turned us over there, so I think it's the next step in this team's evolution, to go to places like Ballybofey and try and grind out results.
"And if we can come out with a one-point victory, that's going to be progress for us."
Not sure many will agree with me, but I think this is the biggest test for Tyrone so far this year. They don't like going there - I don't think anyone does. Should be a very interesting game.
Wouldn't disagree with you there GOTB, it'll give us a good idea about where we really are.
Donegal have been putting up quite big scores in most of their matches
1.16 Away to Cavan - Win
2.05 Home to Dublin - Draw
0.16 Away to Rossies - Win
1.17 Home to Kerry - Loss
It would be nice if they continue with their new attack minded game against Tyrone but you would fear they will revert to default to counteract our style. Young Thompson seems to be taking his chance well as are a few others.
Will Paddy McBrearty be back this weekend?
According to Rory Gallagher quotes in the Democrat, McBrearty is fit again.
Think young McGee at midfield is still out though, and will be first missing tonight's game.
That was a strong enough team ye fielded v Cavan.
If ye can still afford to play Murphy at FF and bring Mark McHugh on for final 5 mins you must be doing alright.
M A McGinley 7; P McGrath 7, N McGee 8, E B Gallagher 7; C Ward 6, F McGlynn 7, E McHugh 7; J McGee 6, C Thompson 8; M Carroll 6, M O'Reilly 7, R McHugh 7; H McFadden 7, M Murphy 7, D O'Connor 6. Subs: J Brennan 7 for D O'Connor (h-t); D McLaughlin 6 for M Carroll (47); M Langan 6 for J McGee (49); E Doherty 6 for H McFadden (55); M McHugh 6 for M O'Reilly (65); P Brennan 5 for E B Gallagher (67).
It's about as strong as it's going to be this year. Kieran Gillespie, who played a couple of games last year, is still to come back, as is Martin McElhinney. Karl Lacey is still to come back, presumably as a sub, while McBrearty has obviously been out. Young O'Connor is feeling his way back too after two years injured. But it's going to be an inexperienced team no matter what. Doing well so far, but summer is when they have to prove themselves.
Murphy hasn't and won't see the opposition square this season.
Quote from: Fuzzman on March 15, 2017, 09:13:36 AM
That was a strong enough team ye fielded v Cavan.
If ye can still afford to play Murphy at FF and bring Mark McHugh on for final 5 mins you must be doing alright.
M A McGinley 7; P McGrath 7, N McGee 8, E B Gallagher 7; C Ward 6, F McGlynn 7, E McHugh 7; J McGee 6, C Thompson 8; M Carroll 6, M O'Reilly 7, R McHugh 7; H McFadden 7, M Murphy 7, D O'Connor 6. Subs: J Brennan 7 for D O'Connor (h-t); D McLaughlin 6 for M Carroll (47); M Langan 6 for J McGee (49); E Doherty 6 for H McFadden (55); M McHugh 6 for M O'Reilly (65); P Brennan 5 for E B Gallagher (67).
Donegal will hardly play their u21s on Saturday night, will they? From the Cavan game would that make 3/4 starters and 5 subs unavailable? Open to correction on that.
I wonder what team Mickey will pick tonight as like some said this could be our toughest game so far as we often play better in Croker than we do in Ballybofey. When did we last win there?
I'd like to see McClure return to midfield and Sludden come back to CHF though I presume he's still injured.
I would like to see Bradley, Sean and Mattie named in the FF line though I doubt it will happen.
Both McGeary & Burns have done well in their recent run outs but Meyler seems to have returned to the excellent form he had before he got injured last year in the league. Munroe seems to have slipped down the pecking order a bit as has Rory Brennan but all these lads seem to be of a very similar standard and seem to slip into the system quite seamlessly.
Despite being top of the pile it's hard to know where this team stand in the real scheme of things. I mean they've put up quite big scores so far except against Dublin but I suppose we have played 3 of our 4 games at home against teams we would be expected to beat. We've scored 1.58 in four games with 19 different scorers which is quite impressive. Peter Harte has 14 points (most from frees) with Sean on 6, Sludden, RoN, McCurry and Bradley all on 5.
Bradley is certainly showing the sort of form we all hoped he would though he hasn't played that many minutes compared to some. It will be interesting to see does Mickey continue to bring him on in the second half when defenders are that bit more tired.
Tiernan McCann has scored 4 points so far this year and seems to added some long range shooting skills to his repertoire of covering so much ground. Justy has surprised me so far this year as usually this heavy winter pitches are not good for his hamstrings but he's back playing well and marshalling the defence well.
Donegal have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know surprise to see them loosing their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 16, 2017, 05:33:56 PM
Donegal have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know surprise to see them loosing their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Tyrone have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan (in addition to struggling to beat 13 man Monaghan) with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know (?) surprise to see them loosing (?) their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Quote from: greatpoint on March 16, 2017, 06:36:32 PM
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 16, 2017, 05:33:56 PM
Donegal have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know surprise to see them loosing their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Tyrone have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan (in addition to struggling to beat 13 man Monaghan) with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know (?) surprise to see them loosing (?) their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
;D ;D
Quote from: greatpoint on March 16, 2017, 06:36:32 PM
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 16, 2017, 05:33:56 PM
Donegal have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know surprise to see them loosing their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Tyrone have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan (in addition to struggling to beat 13 man Monaghan) with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know (?) surprise to see them loosing (?) their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Ye deserved that Tom😊
Quote from: greatpoint on March 16, 2017, 06:36:32 PM
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 16, 2017, 05:33:56 PM
Donegal have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know surprise to see them loosing their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
Tyrone have been going well but in fairness they've only beaten the bottom two teams in the division Roscommon and Cavan (in addition to struggling to beat 13 man Monaghan) with a surprise draw against Dublin. It would be know (?) surprise to see them loosing (?) their remaining games starting with a good hammering this weekend!
;D
Tyrone team for Saturday night...
Tyrone (NFL v Donegal): Mickey O'Neill; Pádraig Hampsey, Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron; Tiernan McCann, Justin McMahon, Rory Brennan; Colm Cavanagh, Declan McClure; Conor Meyler, Kieran McGeary, Peter Harte; Mark Bradley, Sean Cavanagh, Matthew Donnelly.
Strong looking team, hopefully they can do the business.
Pretty close to my first choice starting 15 with only Sludden to come in.
How many left footers have we on that team?
Sean and Pete on freekick duties again hopefully
Hopefully we get at least a draw. With a draw it would mean Donegal are still 2 points behind us and no head to head advantage. That and a home win against Mayo would do nicely!
Quote from: clarshack on March 17, 2017, 12:14:02 AM
Hopefully we get at least a draw. With a draw it would mean Donegal are still 2 points behind us and no head to head advantage. That and a home win against Mayo would do nicely!
Not at all. Tyrone will win by 6+ points.
Any sign of a Donegal team? Rory Gallagher never in a hurry releasing it
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 17, 2017, 03:04:28 PM
Quote from: clarshack on March 17, 2017, 12:14:02 AM
Hopefully we get at least a draw. With a draw it would mean Donegal are still 2 points behind us and no head to head advantage. That and a home win against Mayo would do nicely!
Not at all. Tyrone will win by 6+ points.
Any sign of a Donegal team? Rory Gallagher never in a hurry releasing it
You'd nearly think you were a Donegal man with links to their u21s.
Wonder what the niggle factor will be like?
Quote from: twohands!!! on March 17, 2017, 08:36:31 PM
Wonder what the niggle factor will be like?
Fancy it to be a bit of a nasty one. The bad blood is there, I don't think that's going to go away for a bit yet. I don't mind that on the pitch, it's the attitude of the some of the fans during the game that gets out of control sometimes I'd like to erase.
Anyone know is there any chance this could get called off with the heavy rain?
The forecast seems to say a lot more rain all day and was thinking of bringing the kids to it.
Does the covered stand normally get filled up for league games?
Is it on Eir sport too?
Down v Kildare, Saturday, eir Sport 1, 7pm
Kerry v Dublin, Saturday, eir Sport 2, 7pm
Donegal v Tyrone, Saturday, eir Sport HD, 7pm
Quote from: Fuzzman on March 18, 2017, 10:13:30 AM
Anyone know is there any chance this could get called off with the heavy rain?
The forecast seems to say a lot more rain all day and was thinking of bringing the kids to it.
Does the covered stand normally get filled up for league games?
Is it on Eir sport too?
Wasn't full for the Dublin game the last day.
Your best bet in MacCumhaill Park is to head towards the river end. The stand and terrace always fill up from midfield to the town end first.
You'll probably get seats in the stand no bother if you do that.
Live link anyone?
Quote from: Student Dissertation on March 18, 2017, 06:57:45 PM
Live link anyone?
Try this one it's watchable
Don 3 tyr 1
http://nowwatchtvlive.co/premier-sports-live-stream-premier-sports-uk-online-premier-sports-free/ (http://nowwatchtvlive.co/premier-sports-live-stream-premier-sports-uk-online-premier-sports-free/)
Weather's awful
The link has now switched over to Killarney,
better weather.
Here's another working but very wet stream
http://sportsntvlive.com/eir-sport-2-live-stream-watch-eir-sport-2-ireland-live/ (http://sportsntvlive.com/eir-sport-2-live-stream-watch-eir-sport-2-ireland-live/)
Any radio streams?
Tyrone well off the pace.
Radio Ulster MW have it
Highland too
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 17, 2017, 03:04:28 PM
Quote from: clarshack on March 17, 2017, 12:14:02 AM
Hopefully we get at least a draw. With a draw it would mean Donegal are still 2 points behind us and no head to head advantage. That and a home win against Mayo would do nicely!
Not at all. Tyrone will win by 6+ points.
H/T Donegal 0-9 Tyrone 0-4
You must be looking forward to a big second half from Tyrone Tom
Donegal have kicked some fine scores but that is as bad as a performance you will see from Tyrone. Shocking.
Good half from Donegal, with some nice scores. Hope they can keep it up and get the points.
Why did Gallagher not use Ciaran Thompson last year??
Video stream
http://sportsntvlive.com/eir-sport-2-live-stream-watch-eir-sport-2-ireland-live/ (http://sportsntvlive.com/eir-sport-2-live-stream-watch-eir-sport-2-ireland-live/)
It's feisty down in Kerry, this game by comparison is played at a tentative pace, some nice scores though.
Big lead, in those conditions, in Ballybofey.
Tyrone look like a side that prayed too hard yesterday.
They look like a side trying to learn how to kick longer ball and because they haven't done it for so long haven't a clue
Tyrone can't be as bad in the second half as they were in the 1st half can they? Donegal in transition looking good.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on March 18, 2017, 07:52:55 PM
Tyrone can't be as bad in the second half as they were in the 1st half can they? Donegal in transition looking good.
Donegal of old could light the cigars now. No way they'd lose a lead like this.
Donegal took their time to take the field, cute hoors.
Justin McMahon targeting Murphy. Trying to provoke a second yellow?
McCarron going ape
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 08:05:29 PM
Justin McMahon targeting Murphy. Trying to provoke a second yellow?
No way ! Big Justy is a gentleman
We need a goal.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 07:54:10 PM
Quote from: Captain Obvious on March 18, 2017, 07:52:55 PM
Tyrone can't be as bad in the second half as they were in the 1st half can they? Donegal in transition looking good.
Donegal of old could light the cigars now. No way they'd lose a lead like this.
Donegal cigars are out. Tyrone shocking poor tonight.
Quote from: RedHandTom on March 17, 2017, 03:04:28 PM
Quote from: clarshack on March 17, 2017, 12:14:02 AM
Hopefully we get at least a draw. With a draw it would mean Donegal are still 2 points behind us and no head to head advantage. That and a home win against Mayo would do nicely!
Not at all. Tyrone will win by 6+ points.
Any sign of a Donegal team? Rory Gallagher never in a hurry releasing it
Tyrone getting taught a quare lesson tonight.
This was a complete wake-up call for Tyrone. It was always going to be an ambush after the nature of the Ulster final win. Have Donegal peaked? Their hunger was first class tonight but no prizes handed out in March and when you consider Murphy should have been black carded in the first half and refereeed the game effectively for Coldrick it has masked how poor Tyrone - especially the forwards - really have been.
This is simply to do with them having to pay for foam rollers.
Fairly opens up the Ulster championship ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Impressive controlled football from Donegal and McHugh in paricular.
A sham of a second half though, one long schemozzle.
Quote from: cearrbhach on March 18, 2017, 08:39:56 PM
This was a complete wake-up call for Tyrone. It was always going to be an ambush after the nature of the Ulster final win. Have Donegal peaked? Their hunger was first class tonight but no prizes handed out in March and when you consider Murphy should have been black carded in the first half and refereeed the game effectively for Coldrick it has masked how poor Tyrone - especially the forwards - really have been.
We've peaked after six weeks of the season and a second half where they were in cruise control? ;D
Few of these players saw any action at all before the league began.
Good performance. Safe for another season. Time to give another two or three lads a run out, depending on the progress of the U-21s. Give poor Ryan McHugh a rest - that lad takes some abuse!
Justin McMahon is always at the cynical stuff.
That was an impressive ambush.
What made this an ambush?
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 08:56:06 PM
That was an impressive ambush.
an ambush is something which happens unexpectedly. cant believe we were so naive to not expect this. are tyrone that good?
Targeting key players with innocuous fouling. Knees to the back of heads. Gut punching. Reffing the game. All good stuff. I'd be proud of Tyrone if they'd done the same. The more inexperienced Tyrone players will learn loads from this. The likes of Bradley experienced the difference between normal football and trying to play in the depths of hell.
id say a good forward playin for tyrone at the minute is in the depth of hell. even at training.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:05:13 PM
Targeting key players with innocuous fouling. Knees to the back of heads. Gut punching. Reffing the game. All good stuff. I'd be proud of Tyrone if they'd done the same. The more inexperienced Tyrone players will learn loads from this. The likes of Bradley experienced the difference between normal football and trying to play in the depths of hell.
You should be proud.
We saw plenty of it tonight from Tyrone too.
That's the poorest performance I have seen from a Tyrone team in many years.
Will put it down to a one off - with nothing seeming to go their way.
Will prob work out for the better for them in the long run, come championship.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:05:13 PM
Targeting key players with innocuous fouling. Knees to the back of heads. Gut punching. Reffing the game. All good stuff. I'd be proud of Tyrone if they'd done the same. The more inexperienced Tyrone players will learn loads from this. The likes of Bradley experienced the difference between normal football and trying to play in the depths of hell.
Fake news there I reckon. Tyrone came out in the second half to play to the limits of aggression and physicality because they were being schooled at footy, Donegal stood their ground and rammed it back down Tyrone's neck. Donegal were very impressive at times, Tyrone players need to do a bit of growing up on the pitch and stop listening to the neanderthal gospel according to Horse Devlin.
Anyone who says footy should be automatically banned.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:17:42 PM
Anyone who says footy should be automatically banned.
;D ;D ;D ;D
Another defeat for Tyrone in Ballybofey. Well beat every time.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:17:42 PM
Anyone who says footy should be automatically banned.
Should be called HANDY or THROWY >:(
I think Brolly was right when he said "we should pack it in boys and go play tennis of something"
;D
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:05:13 PM
Targeting key players with innocuous fouling. Knees to the back of heads. Gut punching. Reffing the game. All good stuff. I'd be proud of Tyrone if they'd done the same. The more inexperienced Tyrone players will learn loads from this. The likes of Bradley experienced the difference between normal football and trying to play in the depths of hell.
You should be proud.
We saw plenty of it tonight from Tyrone too.
Of course you did. Sean Spicer has Donegal ancestry it seems! 😅
Not good enough in Ballybofey, well done Donegal ;)
Need to fix things big time against the Maigh Eo Buachaillí next day out, oh yeah.
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 08:51:44 PM
Give poor Ryan McHugh a rest - that lad takes some abuse!
Is this a joke? Were you at the game J70 or just watching on TV? Because he was the perpetrator of so much crap so don't be misled hat poor wee Ryan doesn't give it.
Tyrone were woeful, as bad as I have seen in a long time. No excuses. Gulf in skill and execution.
There's a few things that leave a bad taste though (I'm sore having wasted a trip down from Belfast to watch this rubbish). Near the end Murphy actually pulled up and stood with the ball in his hand before the ref blew the whistle for a free after a tackle. Just knew he would get it.
Ref called a Tyrone player for over carrying. Didn't call any Donegal for over carrying at all. This rule bugs me, if you're going to call it then be consistent. But the ref didn't lose us the game.
Quote from: ONeill on March 18, 2017, 09:05:13 PM
Targeting key players with innocuous fouling. Knees to the back of heads. Gut punching. Reffing the game. All good stuff. I'd be proud of Tyrone if they'd done the same. The more inexperienced Tyrone players will learn loads from this. The likes of Bradley experienced the difference between normal football and trying to play in the depths of hell.
I have a feeling that may have been a compliment but I'm not 100% sure!!
Quote from: Rois on March 18, 2017, 10:04:23 PM
Near the end Murphy actually pulled up and stood with the ball in his hand before the ref blew the whistle for a free after a tackle. Just knew he would get it.
That was it. Coldrick was his bitch today. I even think he nodded at Coldrick then.
Quote from: Rois on March 18, 2017, 10:04:23 PM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 08:51:44 PM
Give poor Ryan McHugh a rest - that lad takes some abuse!
Is this a joke? Were you at the game J70 or just watching on TV? Because he was the perpetrator of so much crap so don't be misled hat poor wee Ryan doesn't give it.
Tyrone were woeful, as bad as I have seen in a long time. No excuses. Gulf in skill and execution.
There's a few things that leave a bad taste though (I'm sore having wasted a trip down from Belfast to watch this rubbish). Near the end Murphy actually pulled up and stood with the ball in his hand before the ref blew the whistle for a free after a tackle. Just knew he would get it.
Ref called a Tyrone player for over carrying. Didn't call any Donegal for over carrying at all. This rule bugs me, if you're going to call it then be consistent. But the ref didn't lose us the game.
Didn't see the game tonight and quite like donegal but murphy gets away with murder. His tackling is atrocious and also dangerous. Getting away with it helps no one and probably helps make him like what you say above you are a rational poster and i would well believe it.
O'neill's post on the other hand smells like sour grapes ;D
Quote from: Rois on March 18, 2017, 10:04:23 PM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 08:51:44 PM
Give poor Ryan McHugh a rest - that lad takes some abuse!
Is this a joke? Were you at the game J70 or just watching on TV? Because he was the perpetrator of so much crap so don't be misled hat poor wee Ryan doesn't give it.
Tyrone were woeful, as bad as I have seen in a long time. No excuses. Gulf in skill and execution.
There's a few things that leave a bad taste though (I'm sore having wasted a trip down from Belfast to watch this rubbish). Near the end Murphy actually pulled up and stood with the ball in his hand before the ref blew the whistle for a free after a tackle. Just knew he would get it.
Ref called a Tyrone player for over carrying. Didn't call any Donegal for over carrying at all. This rule bugs me, if you're going to call it then be consistent. But the ref didn't lose us the game.
No, I wasn't at the game (I'm in the states). But you don't have to be to see the amount of hits McHugh takes.
One thing hasn't changed in all the years since I've been a regular live match attendee... the whining from the Tyrone and Armagh ones on this board about the refs when they play Donegal, no matter what the result! ;D
Donegal much slicker than Tyrone on the night. More clinical with their chances throughout the game and wholly deserved the victory. Donegal players were well up for this and obviously were stung by the Ulster Final defeat. The same goes for their supporters who cheered and jeered in what seemed equal measure. They had got there early and had the stand packed 40 mins before the game. Justy is a real villain for the Donegal fans.
The crowd were reminded not to go on to the pitch at the end. I was half expecting the two points to be presented to Donegal on the pitch at the end given the glee of the supporters. Atrocious conditions for both players and supporters.
Complete systems breakdown tonight from Tyrone. Draw a line under it and move on with lessons learned. Good to have a game next weekend to get back on track.
Dirty hoor of a night matched only by the shite football (bar Donegal's point taking in first half). Last one for me is Michael Murphy loves the old forearm smash to the head tackle, some man to ref a game too ;)
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 10:51:13 PM
One thing hasn't changed in all the years since I've been a regular live match attendee... the whining from the Tyrone and Armagh ones on this board about the refs when they play Donegal, no matter what the result! ;D
Ah well I find I watch the ref a lot - I accompany my dad to games and he was a ref assessor for Croke Park refs committee so for years we have discussed referee performance after all games. So it's not just Donegal who get that level of scrutiny/moaning from us. Coldrick wouldn't rank highly from the start anyway so he was always fighting a losing battle with me. It always seems worse when you lose the game too of course, and I did say that the ref didn't lose us the game.
But the two points I made still stand.
You didn't then see the off camera antics that McHugh got involved in, and I'm just saying he is certainly not innocent of giving abuse himself so I find it hard to have sympathy. So you're the same as the rest of us, can't be fully impartial when your own county is involved. But isn't that part of the craic?!
Yeah poor Justin got booed off! Not enough Tyrone people there to drown it out. I'm sure he won't lose any sleep.
Never claimed to be impartial Rois. I generally don't bitch about the referees though. They have a very tough job with a fast moving game and players out to fool them and get one real time look at an incident. The standards expected from them by many on this board are just laughable.
You're correct that I don't see what McHugh does off the ball. What does he do? He certainly not dishing out the amount of hits ON the ball that he takes. And I'm not complaining about that. He's a small, fast, very skillful player. He is going to be fouled, a lot. A bit like the auld fella in that respect. And it's not going to change. I'm just saying that perhaps Rory Gallagher should rest him a wee bit now we're safe. It has to take its toll on the body.
Donegal have gathered up an impressive collection of good young players. This was one of those nights that they had to lay down a marker and they did just that. Their point taking was superb, especially in those conditions. This game will have no baring on what happens in the summer, but Donegal look to be still a major threat in Ulster which is impressive given the number of players they have recently lost.
Quote from: redcard on March 18, 2017, 11:12:31 PM
Donegal much slicker than Tyrone on the night. More clinical with their chances throughout the game and wholly deserved the victory. Donegal players were well up for this and obviously were stung by the Ulster Final defeat. The same goes for their supporters who cheered and jeered in what seemed equal measure. They had got there early and had the stand packed 40 mins before the game. Justy is a real villain for the Donegal fans.
The crowd were reminded not to go on to the pitch at the end. I was half expecting the two points to be presented to Donegal on the pitch at the end given the glee of the supporters. Atrocious conditions for both players and supporters.
Here's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247 (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247)
Whatever position Murphy plays nowadays will not be found in Joe Lennon's book on Gaelic football. Yes he played midfield but he hung back and directed play from outside his 50 and decided against engaging McMahon in the kind of MMA engagement which has characterised their summer meetings.
Shortly after time, Justin McMahon grew weary of Murphy's refusal to rumble and wrestled his man to the ground, provoking a general skirmish which resulted in two Tyrone yellows – for Tiernan McCann (second man in) and McMahon himself. Harte called his centre back ashore after that to the vocal delight of the home crowd, for whom the Omagh man has become the pantomime villain of this showpiece.
Quote from: BennyHarp on March 18, 2017, 11:44:17 PM
Donegal have gathered up an impressive collection of good young players. This was one of those nights that they had to lay down a marker and they did just that. Their point taking was superb, especially in those conditions. This game will have no baring on what happens in the summer, but Donegal look to be still a major threat in Ulster which is impressive given the number of players they have recently lost.
Bodes well for next year if the likes of MacNiallais and McLoone decide to come back and these young lads are a year further on. But... its only the league. It will be a big ask for us to beat Tyrone THIS summer, but hopefully (assuming we get past Antrim) we'll give them a good scare.
Quotequote author J70
Here's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 18, 2017, 11:54:46 PM
QuoteQuote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
[bHere's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) [/b]had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Was he wrong?
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:57:12 PM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 18, 2017, 11:54:46 PM
QuoteQuote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
[bHere's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) [/b]had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Was he wrong?
Was a partisan Donegal journalist warranted in his criticism of Justin McMahon in a game v Donegal? Think about that for a bit.
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
Here's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247 (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247)
Whatever position Murphy plays nowadays will not be found in Joe Lennon's book on Gaelic football. Yes he played midfield but he hung back and directed play from outside his 50 and decided against engaging McMahon in the kind of MMA engagement which has characterised their summer meetings.
Shortly after time, Justin McMahon grew weary of Murphy's refusal to rumble and wrestled his man to the ground, provoking a general skirmish which resulted in two Tyrone yellows – for Tiernan McCann (second man in) and McMahon himself. Harte called his centre back ashore after that to the vocal delight of the home crowd, for whom the Omagh man has become the pantomime villain of this showpiece.
So the Donegal journalist agrees with O'Neill then?
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 19, 2017, 12:01:48 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:57:12 PM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 18, 2017, 11:54:46 PM
QuoteQuote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
[bHere's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) [/b]had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Was he wrong?
Was a partisan Donegal journalist warranted in his criticism of Justin McMahon in a game v Donegal? Think about that for a bit.
Duggan is one of the Times main GAA journalists.
If you think he is biased and unprofessionally critical of McMahon, have at it and make your case.
Mickey Harte was obviously concerned.
Quote from: redcard on March 19, 2017, 12:03:36 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
Here's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247 (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/donegal-leave-tyrone-chasing-shadows-on-brute-of-a-night-1.3016247)
Whatever position Murphy plays nowadays will not be found in Joe Lennon's book on Gaelic football. Yes he played midfield but he hung back and directed play from outside his 50 and decided against engaging McMahon in the kind of MMA engagement which has characterised their summer meetings.
Shortly after time, Justin McMahon grew weary of Murphy's refusal to rumble and wrestled his man to the ground, provoking a general skirmish which resulted in two Tyrone yellows – for Tiernan McCann (second man in) and McMahon himself. Harte called his centre back ashore after that to the vocal delight of the home crowd, for whom the Omagh man has become the pantomime villain of this showpiece.
So the Donegal journalist agrees with O'Neill then?
That Murphy was and is Donegal's playmaker? ;)
Quote from: J70 on March 19, 2017, 12:07:48 AM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 19, 2017, 12:01:48 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:57:12 PM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 18, 2017, 11:54:46 PM
QuoteQuote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
[bHere's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) [/b]had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Was he wrong?
Was a partisan Donegal journalist warranted in his criticism of Justin McMahon in a game v Donegal? Think about that for a bit.
Duggan is one of the Times main GAA journalists.
If you think he is biased and unprofessionally critical of McMahon, have at it and make your case.
Mickey Harte was obviously concerned.
Justy needs to calm the head big time, he's becoming a liability these past few seasons at times. Never used to play the game that way in his younger days.
Duggan is wrong though, it was McCarron that got booked for Tyrone. How he was identified as the 'third man in' I'll be very know considering almost every player was embroiled in that particular schmozzle. Thought Coldrick was dung in this situation. Hang back chatting to linesmen for good two minutes which allowed multiple restarts of the handbags. Should have flashed the yellows and got the game going again.
I heard from a reliable source that the referee was responsible for this hammering (7 points on a night like that is a hammering). When are the GAA going to put an end to referees scoring 7 points for teams that play against Tyrone. For the love of line dancing something must be done.
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:42:10 PM
Never claimed to be impartial Rois. I generally don't bitch about the referees though.
I agree that they have an incredibly tough job but they are not beyond reproach.
"Bitch"ing and pointing out two specific points are not the same thing. They were two points that neither I, nor the referee, needed slow motion replays to pick up on.
You asked about McHugh so I'll be specific. Somewhere in the second half of the second half (that's as specific as my timing can get), as the players were waiting for play to begin again up near the Donegal goal, in the space of less than a minute McHugh had switched with his own players to mark four different Tyrone players. On each one he ran up, had a word in their ear, then made quite a show of moving on to the next. So I don't feel sorry for him if he's on the end of hard (but fair) tackles if he's at that sort of carry on. If he cut out that craic, I'd be happy to have him play for Tyrone ;D
Rois, are you saying Mc Hugh is Donegals version of Myler
I think it's fair to say these two teams have a huge hatred for each other now at this stage and BOTH will use every trick in the book to get one over on the other.
From sledging to kicking balls onto the pitch to slow down kickouts.
They seem to bring out the worst in each other and it leads to a putrid atmosphere. With both knowing they can't afford to get a man sent off through a silly punch you tend to see a lot of other verbal and handbag nonsense.
Fair play to Donegal though on keeping their team at such a competitive level and in with a good chance of making the final now.
Maybe it's the wakeup call Tyrone needed as we've had some handy enough home victories lately. Mayo will be a huge game now.
Our last two games are Monaghan and Mayo.
I'll be shocked if we make the final. Get through those two games with no injuries or suspensions, and it will be a job well done for this year. A hammering by the Dubs in Croke Park is of use to no one.
Quote from: J70 on March 19, 2017, 11:10:43 AM
Our last two games are Monaghan and Mayo.
I'll be shocked if we make the final. Get through those two games with no injuries or suspensions, and it will be a job well done for this year. A hammering by the Dubs in Croke Park is of use to no one.
There will be a lot of wonky results as each team tries not to finish in the top two with Dublin! Donegal and Mayo have renegaded on trying to win League semi-finals in recent years!
Assuming Monaghan win today there would be four teams on 7 points & I think the finalists will come from that group.
Donegal have Monaghan at home & Mayo away.
Tyrone have Mayo at home & Kerry away
Monaghan have Donegal away & Dublin at home
Dublin have Roscommon at home & Monaghan away.
Looking at those pairings I would put my millions on a Dublin V Donegal final.
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 19, 2017, 11:40:52 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 19, 2017, 11:10:43 AM
Our last two games are Monaghan and Mayo.
I'll be shocked if we make the final. Get through those two games with no injuries or suspensions, and it will be a job well done for this year. A hammering by the Dubs in Croke Park is of use to no one.
There will be a lot of wonky results as each team tries not to finish in the top two with Dublin! Donegal and Mayo have renegaded on trying to win League semi-finals in recent years!
IF yourselves and Monaghan win today, Ros and Cavan are down, so I'd say you'll be right. Tyrone probably fancy a crack at Dublin. Not sure about yourselves and Kerry. Monaghan still have to play them.
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 19, 2017, 11:40:52 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 19, 2017, 11:10:43 AM
Our last two games are Monaghan and Mayo.
I'll be shocked if we make the final. Get through those two games with no injuries or suspensions, and it will be a job well done for this year. A hammering by the Dubs in Croke Park is of use to no one.
There will be a lot of wonky results as each team tries not to finish in the top two with Dublin! Donegal and Mayo have renegaded on trying to win League semi-finals in recent years!
I think Donegal would quite fancy a run out in the wide open spaces of Croke Park at the moment. They have momentum & a bunch of young fellas who will run all day.
I don't think they will worry too much about winning it but they wouldn't mind seeing where they are at against Dublin at HQ.
Futures markets are now pricing a Tyrone all Ireland in 2020
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 19, 2017, 12:22:13 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 19, 2017, 12:07:48 AM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 19, 2017, 12:01:48 AM
Quote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:57:12 PM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on March 18, 2017, 11:54:46 PM
QuoteQuote from: J70 on March 18, 2017, 11:46:12 PM
[bHere's what Keith Duggan (a Donegal man, admittedly, but a very good GAA journalist) [/b]had to say on Murphy and McMahon in the Times:
😀😅🤔🤥😜🤐😲🤑🤠🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Was he wrong?
Was a partisan Donegal journalist warranted in his criticism of Justin McMahon in a game v Donegal? Think about that for a bit.
Duggan is one of the Times main GAA journalists.
If you think he is biased and unprofessionally critical of McMahon, have at it and make your case.
Mickey Harte was obviously concerned.
Justy needs to calm the head big time, he's becoming a liability these past few seasons at times. Never used to play the game that way in his younger days.
Duggan is wrong though, it was McCarron that got booked for Tyrone. How he was identified as the 'third man in' I'll be very know considering almost every player was embroiled in that particular schmozzle. Thought Coldrick was dung in this situation. Hang back chatting to linesmen for good two minutes which allowed multiple restarts of the handbags. Should have flashed the yellows and got the game going again.
Duggan has the gist of it right, however I readily admit to having a teeny weeny bit of bias. I thought McCarron started his own separate confrontation after the 'schnozzle' had settled down for a second time.
He was more aggressive, out of control, with an axe to grind against one Donegal player, possibly after being targeted/wound up.
In general, the only thing that has a calming effect is to get the ball moving as fast as possible with the ref bringing the ball forward if necessary. Once players see the ball moving, their attention shifts.
Exactly MS, if ref had of booked the initial player i.e. Justy and hopped the ball that continuous handbag dance would have ended immediately.
BTW, we can't play the long ball game for shite. That's three games when we've used this tactic with Mattie and Sean up front and I'm struggling to think of more than a few scores we've got out of it. FFS, at one point a long floated ball went into Mark Bradley who was being marked by McGee!! Ridiculous. If that tactic is to be used the right type of ball needs to go in. It looks to me like it's more hit and hope.
In the greater scheme of things this result may be beneficial for us. Focus minds for more important games on the dry sod.
Quote from: seafoid on March 19, 2017, 11:48:51 AM
Futures markets are now pricing a Tyrone all Ireland in 2020
Sounds like you have enough on your hands with our dear neighbours right now without you bothering yourself with our future returns! :P
The Irish News has the team lineups as follows but I think they've made a mess of it as I thought there were a few changes before throw in. Didn't McShane and Sludden start?
Anyone know why Hampsey didn't start but then he came on? Who started at corner back?
Tyrone: M O'Neill; P Hampsey, R McNamee, C McCarron; T McCann, J McMahon, R Brennan (0-1); C Cavanagh, D McClure; C Meyler, K McGeary, P Harte (0-2, 0-1free); M Bradley, S Cavanagh (0-1free), M Donnelly
Subs: P Hampsey for McShane (h-t), C Meyler for McClure (h-t), A McCrory for McMahon (44), R O'Neill for Brennan (53), J Munroe for McCarron (64)
Don't want to go hard on individuals but I don't see the logic in McShane getting so much game time. He got two balls early in the first half and on the first passed straight to a Donegal man and the second he passed long into the Donegal corner back area when there wasn't a Tyrone man within 30 yards. Now I know that every player, bar Petey Harte IMO, had a stinker but Mickey Is giving Cathal serious game time versus other options and he still appears to be too rash in his decision making. I still believe he'll make an excellent player in years to come but at the moment he is not taking his chance. All in my opinion, of course.
By it's nature, sometimes form in the league is an aberration, there is no sense to it.
What happens in Donegal is best left behind, don't look back.
Even with the improvements in conditioning and pitches there's definitely still some lads who are far more suited to league football in winter conditions and lads who will improve on the dryer sod and warmer days. From what I've seen of him I think McShane might fall into the better performer come summer-time category a bit.
Fair enough, lads. Mickey clearly sees something in McShane that he really likes and keeps giving him lots of chances to show confidence in him. Hopefully his consistency improves as I think he has great potential for us.