Messages

A few musings.

We were very good in the first half but Monaghan lacked intensity and Tyrone players had time to run and break lines. The Monaghan game plan was all about stopping McCurry. Two men marshalling him at all times. Problem is it left space for others. Even though McCurry was well marked he kept them busy with intelligent runs and game play.

Monaghan of course were a different animal in 2nd half. Pushing up and squeezing Tyrone. Tyrone didn't have many answers, but kicking it long was an option that nearly provided a few goal chances. This will be good practice for what Kerry will do.

The Goalkeeping one is interesting. Morgan and Beggan occupying the space was a great tactic. Morgan for the most part had a very good game, but missing two very similar 45s was criminal. His KOs were for the most part very good and helped to keep ball well at the end to see out the game.
Frees. Anything in McCurry range left or right he should take. Donnelly and McShane missed two very scoreable frees. At this level those are critical. That's 4 points that we can't afford to really give up.

McShane obviously rusty. Felt he was just too casual. He needs to sharpen up.
McGeary had another great game, Logan and Dooher have obviously turned him into a footballer.
Meyler gets through lots of work, but again his footballing skills are lacking. Some poor decisions and passes. He must offer more.
Sludden was brilliant. A real attacking HB with great energy.
Two MFs did well and Tyrone probably edged that battle.
McCurry was fantastic. Marked within an inch of his life he kept them constantly guessing. A real Rolls Royce player.
McKenna and Harte were both quiet. Hoping we get more out of them next time.

There is a lot of positives. Winning an Ulster in their 1st year is a great achievement for this management team. Beat the two other best sides on the way.
They did play a lot of good football. I've enjoyed watching them evolve and get better. Will we win an AI? Probably not but we're playing with a bit more jizz and it's great change from the previous regime.

McCurry missed a very scoreable free too yesterday and has missed them in the past also.

i hope you're not referring to his effort which was from outside the 45 out of the hands on his weaker side.. as that definitely wasn't a scoreable one and if only Morgan had his shooting boots on that would've been perfect range for what should've been his 3rd point, stick Beggan in that Tyrone team and we're guaranteed another 3/4 points a game

McKenna was awful on Saturday in my opinion, he just didn't look like he knew what to do or what his role was. would love to see Canavan come in vs Kerry, can see him doing damage, there's 1 position up for grabs already with Michael o'neill definitely (finally) losing his place. would love to see Richie in around midfield as i feel like we are lacking experience in there, definitely a few positions up for grabs in the semi final, managers have some thinking to do now, game is there to be won if we perform to our capabilities and frustrate Kerry

Finally Scruffy Oneill seems to have lost his spot. Has been holding Tyrone back past couple of years. Player with zero talent and awareness. Good riddance.

Catch yourself on you absolute pr!ck.

+ 1

Mc Geary has been excellent, I almost take back what I said about him

McGeary leaves everything on the pitch. There are players in that team that you could point the finger at for not putting the effort in but McGeary is not one of them. You could even see in the past few games he has rowed back a bit on the tackles and conceeding scorable fress and he is getting on the score board as well. The lad has his place on merit.

Aye, tried to ride your man like Galileo for his yellow card - horrible attempt of a tackle and had a shot for a point 21 yards out go wide

Agree with last post - get him off, shouldn't even start

Liability

[I don't think I'd be the only poster who would have that viewpoint here]

You keep saying he has only played one Championship game and then go on to say that's why you need to be "careful" with him. Not sure what your point is there and if anything it is a direct contradiction to one another.

Are you disputing he has only played one Championship game or something? It's a fact.

Of course we need to be careful with him, he's a 20 year old with all to prove and we need to be careful how we manage him.

I cannot see where you are seeing a contradiction there. You've made the statement but it makes no sense and you've made no effort to explain it at all.

He had one championship game because Tyrone had one championship game, that's why.He would have played more if Tyrone had played more.

And we would have a much better idea when he plays more Championship games. Do you normally judge players on a sample of their Championship debuts? It seems like you are judging a player solely on 50 minutes of Championship action.

Again, it doesn't matter what age he is, or whether he is "slight" or not. You seem to think some big bad francie bellew is going to hit him a shoulder that's going to cripple him the way you're getting on. It is any wonder Tyrone have been shite this past few years, boys too worried about "physicality" and how much boys can bench press etc. Skillful players come out on top against physical players every day of the week.

I think a player's physical level is very important these days. Skilful players don't come out on top of physical players every day of the week. Are you now saying the likes of Ronan O'Neill or Lee Brennan are not skillful players? They have found the physical level of intercounty football extremely tough which is why they have struggled to make an impact at this level for Tyrone. We had young Mulgrew pick up rave reviews a few years back when he scored 2-01 in an All Ireland quarter final at the same age Canavan is now, he was a big prospect then and has barely kicked a ball for Tyrone.


Young Canavan shipped a heavy knock against Donegal and had to come off shortly after as well.

He is good enough so he is there, if he out-performs the lads you have mentioned, then he will be there for the forseeable. That's simply all there is to it really.

I never said anything to the contrary in what you said. All I said was that he has only played one game of Championship football and is only 20 years old and still physically developing so we should be careful with him. If he is doing the business then he will play, no questions but on a sample of 50 minutes of Championship football it is crazy to making the kind of assertions you are.

May I revert you back to your initial post:

Mcaliskey ahead of caravan your having a laugh.

2 years ago. McAliskey was Tyrone's top scorer as they reached an All Ireland final. Only Conor McManus scored more in the Championship that year, only Ciaran Kilkenny scored more from play. In contrast Darragh Canavan has played 50 minutes of Championship action.

I think your comments are extremely disrespectful and dismissive to a player like McAliskey who is a fine performer in his own right

No, im not disputing he has played one championship game. Im disputing that Tyrone need to be "careful" with him. They don't.
The fact that he has played one senior county championship game is neither here nor there. It's the fact that you seem to think THAT is why tyrone need to be "careful" with him. It's a direct contradiction. It's not his fault, he would've played more had tyrone played more.
My assertions aren't "crazy". If he performs he will play, because he is good enough. That's all i'm saying. His age or being "slight" is absolutely irrelevant. It's not difficult to understand.

Yet you find it ridiculous that a 20 year old who has played one Championship game, has an awful lot of physical development to make yet might find it hard to dislodge a player like McAliskey returning to the fold after a year out when he was the second top scorer in Championship football 2 years ago.

I think Tyrone need to be careful with a young player like Canavan, certainly. I don't think I'd be the only poster who would have that viewpoint here. Look if he comes in and keeps playing well, then fair play to him, he'll deserve his spot.

I found your post to be completely disrespectful to a proven intercounty performer like McAliskey. Why is it laughable that McAliskey would be ahead of Canavan? Their your words after all. Is it on the basis of the 50 minutes of Championship action Canavan has played? I do find that difficult to understand so maybe you should address it.

" I don't think I'd be the only poster who would have that viewpoint here"

Perhaps not, but your certainly the only one constantly argues with people who's opinion differs from yours

Unless you Logan or Dooher in secret, then everyone else is entitled to their opinion and guess what, your not always right. Again, unless your Donald Trump

Very little talk on here about the current Tyrone trials. Has anyone heard any names?
I know there are at least 60 (Including current squad players) been "trialled" over 3 to 4 weeks.

That's a good thing I'd say, shows respect for the new team.

Few old heads have been at the trials.....few Coalisland lads there that are much talked about on this board.

Kane and McNally?

Boat has surely sailed there?

Why ??

If your good enough .........

[I think money would be a big factor in not keeping him]

One big regret on this season was that Davis didn't get a chance with the players. It sounds like he was top level that could have helped us close that fitness/conditioning gap with the Dubs. I think money would be a big factor in not keeping him. Having said that if we're going for someone internal in Tyrone Donnelly is as good as out there and I'm sure he'll do a good job - players seemed to like him previously too.

Do you think P.Donnelly is doing it for free ??

[If the club season goes 1st it will be a disaster]

Would be nice to see the club season run without interruptions from start to finish. League all played and then the championship. Playing from March through to June/July would be more welcome than finishing a season in November. Think this has potential.

So do we just do away with the provincial and all Ireland club competitions? The competitions which give the Vast majority of players their only chance of playing that level? And do you think that counties will allow clubs uninterrupted access to their players if the county season starting after? If the club season goes 1st it will be a disaster and will cause a serious split in the organisation.

Think you are over reacting a bit there to say it will be a disaster and split the organisation. We've been crying for years to get a regular run of fixtures for club players and a league finished before the winter and leagues finished before the championship and so on. This split season with club starting at the end of Feb allows for those things to happen. No starred games, no 6 week barren no fixture spells, you get a Spring league and summer championship.
Things like provincial club need addressed and I'm sure they will be, this in my opinion anyway is good news for the club scene.

Totally agree here 100%
For years we have been demanding a split season, at least club players can now plan a life outside of football instead of dragging it from starting pre season in Feb and ending in November with mutiple hot summer weekends twiddling their thumbs

I dont see how you think Club season going 1st will be a disaster. Why?? It should be 98% of the playing majority going 1st.
The county scene can play Autumn / Winter nights as they have the facilities available. And look at the joy expressed by many that a hi profile GAA game in these dark evenings is a joy and brightens up the long days

Yes provincial club needs addressed, but is it not better to plan for some club football and wait a year or 2 on this. Im sure it will come back in time

All of this is obviously Covid dependant

Cavanagh with a poor tribute to Harte on the Sunday Game last night. Lucky to inherit those minor teams? Wise up Sean.

Cavanagh really is letting himself down a bagful on a consistent basis ever since he's retired from county football. Has there ever been a player in the GAA that's went down so much in the estimations of their own county's supporters after retiring from playing?

Cavanagh is a bit of an idiot, great player but as you said it's hard take to him on TV though it was finally good to see someone giving that w**ker O'Rourke some home truths.

WoW

We actually finally agree on something. Cavanagh is all about self promotion

[Feargal Logan has been hotly tipped as the man to take over in Tyrone along with his back room team from 2015 all Ireland success. Who exactly does this involve and where have they been since then?]

Looking from the outside in here but following with interest.

Feargal Logan has been hotly tipped as the man to take over in Tyrone along with his back room team from 2015 all Ireland success.

Who exactly does this involve and where have they been since then?

Massive pressure on this new ticket to deliver within their initial 2 years.

It was Logan, with Brian Dooher and Peter Canavan as selectors I believe. No idea what Dooher has been doing in football, I think maybe still with some of the development teams in some capacity? Canavan is obviously on the TV.

Lorcan Martin was in that set up too, he recently led Edendork to an Intermediate Double as a manager in his own right. He was the S+C coach at the time, I don't know how Harte leaving affects Jonny Davies role in the set up - I assume that means he's out too.

Would he not be self emplyed contracted in ??

Was Logan not over stewartstown recently and didnt deliver much??
Dooher no idea
Canavan handy Sky commitments

It's always everyone else's fault with you. Blame rte, blame the ref every time we are beat. Any wonder we are hated at the minute. Let's hope the new manager can clean up our act and help change the narrative against us.

No.

It's just completely unbalanced coverage. RTE have been absolutely toxic in their coverage of Tyrone.

I'd say most players would be happy to engage with RTE and quite a few were frustrated at not being able to under Harte's regime.

But you are the type of toxic personality that makes vitriolic and poisonous comments about your own county men based on baseless allegations and innuendo. What you said about McKernan last week was utterly disgraceful and your comments previously on Mickey Harte were completely beyond the pale.

You are a very sad inidividual.

National coverage and exposure is needed to maintain a positive view from others. They'll blame each other, has anyone really won??

And STG - you are 100% with your opinion on Angelo

"It's always everyone else's fault with you". He doesnt like any opinion that isnt his own

I wasn't too far away with my shout for Errigals new management. Mark Harte and Adrian O'Donnell confirmed.

Only a matter of time before they took the job. They'll definitely be a force next year with them two men.

Sure they are always a force

Not that  big a force when they haven't won an o'neill cup since 2012.

Sorry my mistake, I thought 2 or 3 county finals in the last 4 years made you one of the top teams in the county

Decent team? Yes. A force? No.

I can't see Harte and O'Donnell being the difference either.

Serial failures when it matters. Some would say No b@lls

Heard they were for Errigal

[Doubt any of the 03-08 team will put their names forward if Harte is running out of respect]

Dungannon Could be the big losers here.... Logan Dooher and Holmes... That is the word on the street in these parts!!

Didn't we have a failed tenure with joint managers before when Art and Eugene McKenna were at the helm.

Or who is the main man?

Doubt any of the 03-08 team will put their names forward if Harte is running out of respect.

Yeah probably the same respect shown when a few of the lads have went on The Sunday Game as soon as they left the panel, and SC a regular now

The Management Merry Go Round started already i here...

What ye got for us bigtogs??

[If the opposition have to worry about McKenna, McShane, Harte and Donnelly then it could free up McCurry to do some serious damage.]

I actually agree with a loot of what you are saying. It's just when I see people here criticising as you say one of top players in Peter Harte and then criticising the manager for not getting the best out of the players - can't really have it both ways. Either the players are good enough or not.
The win over Donegal in 2018 was an impressive victory, a lot of talk was how our subs made a huge difference that day - we played a more attacking style of football from that point, should have been well up on Monaghan in the first half but then seemed to get nervy in the second half with the chance of a first All Ireland final in ten years at stake. We were 6/1 outsiders for the Final, realistically Dublin were just a better team, I do take the point that Mayo and Kerry seem to be able to run them close on the big days although not so much in the last 2 years (Mayo took a real hammering in the second half last year, Kerry ended up well beaten in the replay, same margin as 2018 final after playing most of the drawn game against 14 men). The current Dubs are a juggernaut.

Take the Kerry game last year as the most recent large piece of evidence. We were well in control at half time (4 points up). We played some terrific football using Mattie and McShane in the full forward line, using a direct style with arguably our best team on the field (one that played the 2nd half against Cork). Could argue the lack of link up with the half forward line but we were looking in control.
Nearly all the scores Kerry got in the first half were really poor Tyrone errors (from memory stupid free given away by Mattie, Morgan kicked ball directly to Geaney, Richie Donnelly intercepted crossfield pass)

Refereeing decisions and some bad individual errors cost us, let Kerry back into the game and once the Kerry forwards starting rolling they kicked some superb scores. I don't know if you could direct most of the blame to Mickey for that result to be honest. I thought at the time McCurry should have been brought in sooner.

I think this current Tyrone side lacks leaders. You look back at the big games and we have had purple patches in them where things looked good, we started the AI final in 2018 very well, the SF last year against Kerry we started very well and should have been much further ahead. But when the tide turned, we crumbled and we really needed our big men to step up and deliver. We've lost our most reliable player in terms of leadership now in Colm Cavanagh, a warrior who never hid.

Mattie has shown a lot of leadership in the past but he's also had a number of quiet games when we needed more from him. Peter Harte is someone we need more from him, I feel sorry for him with the bullshit he has to put up from the opposition which is largely ignored by match officials, he gets no protection at all but that shouldn't excuse some of his no shows, he needs to be a bit more cuter in how he looks after himself.

McShane emerged as a leader last year but we need more players to step up, guys like Hampsey, Burns, McGeary need to step up to the plate and push Tyrone on. Hopefully McKenna can give this team a shot in the arm. I'm genuinely excited at what the arrival of McKenna can do for Darren McCurry next year.

If the opposition have to worry about McKenna, McShane, Harte and Donnelly then it could free up McCurry to do some serious damage.

If you need 4 opposition defenders to "take care" of the aboved named and then depending on Mc Curry to do "serious damage" Tyrone DONT stand a chance

How many other top counties are "hoping" their 5th/6th/7th best attacker does all the damage??

Who mentioned anything about him doing all the damage?

McCurry is the best finisher we have in the squad. Cillian O'Connor is the weakest player in the Mayo 15 and is the all time leading scorer in Championship history.

OMG !!!!! We may have just had the stupidest comment on here, O'Connor weakest player. WOW

Surely serious damage is most, if not all of the damage, same difference

Did you sit your GCSEs yet.

Serious is not most, by virtue of playing with better players and having more freedom to operate McCurry would have more scope and space to maximise his ability.

O'Connor is Mayo's weakest forward but he's a finisher and he thrives on playing in a team with strong runners like Durcan, Boyle, Keegan, O'Shea and his brother who draw fouls and consistently break tackles creating overlaps where he is then on hand to convert. He also benefitted from playing inside along one of the cleverest forwards and best ball winners in the game in Andy Moran.

That is an entirely rational point but given I seem to be conversing with an idiot here, I'm sure you'll struggle to comprehend.

Ok Mr Mc Curry, calm the t!ts. Your fwend Darren has had many opportunities with many good players surrounding him and never delivered when it mattered. Lee Brennan and Mark Bradley superior footballers and better finishers. Sure we'll count on him as Tyrones 7th best forward to do "serious damage" against Louth, Westmeath and Derry

Good to see when someone disagrees with your point you go all argumentative with defensive name calling, who are you really, Donald Trump??

P.S What are GCSE's

[If the opposition have to worry about McKenna, McShane, Harte and Donnelly then it could free up McCurry to do some serious damage.]

I actually agree with a loot of what you are saying. It's just when I see people here criticising as you say one of top players in Peter Harte and then criticising the manager for not getting the best out of the players - can't really have it both ways. Either the players are good enough or not.
The win over Donegal in 2018 was an impressive victory, a lot of talk was how our subs made a huge difference that day - we played a more attacking style of football from that point, should have been well up on Monaghan in the first half but then seemed to get nervy in the second half with the chance of a first All Ireland final in ten years at stake. We were 6/1 outsiders for the Final, realistically Dublin were just a better team, I do take the point that Mayo and Kerry seem to be able to run them close on the big days although not so much in the last 2 years (Mayo took a real hammering in the second half last year, Kerry ended up well beaten in the replay, same margin as 2018 final after playing most of the drawn game against 14 men). The current Dubs are a juggernaut.

Take the Kerry game last year as the most recent large piece of evidence. We were well in control at half time (4 points up). We played some terrific football using Mattie and McShane in the full forward line, using a direct style with arguably our best team on the field (one that played the 2nd half against Cork). Could argue the lack of link up with the half forward line but we were looking in control.
Nearly all the scores Kerry got in the first half were really poor Tyrone errors (from memory stupid free given away by Mattie, Morgan kicked ball directly to Geaney, Richie Donnelly intercepted crossfield pass)

Refereeing decisions and some bad individual errors cost us, let Kerry back into the game and once the Kerry forwards starting rolling they kicked some superb scores. I don't know if you could direct most of the blame to Mickey for that result to be honest. I thought at the time McCurry should have been brought in sooner.

I think this current Tyrone side lacks leaders. You look back at the big games and we have had purple patches in them where things looked good, we started the AI final in 2018 very well, the SF last year against Kerry we started very well and should have been much further ahead. But when the tide turned, we crumbled and we really needed our big men to step up and deliver. We've lost our most reliable player in terms of leadership now in Colm Cavanagh, a warrior who never hid.

Mattie has shown a lot of leadership in the past but he's also had a number of quiet games when we needed more from him. Peter Harte is someone we need more from him, I feel sorry for him with the bullshit he has to put up from the opposition which is largely ignored by match officials, he gets no protection at all but that shouldn't excuse some of his no shows, he needs to be a bit more cuter in how he looks after himself.

McShane emerged as a leader last year but we need more players to step up, guys like Hampsey, Burns, McGeary need to step up to the plate and push Tyrone on. Hopefully McKenna can give this team a shot in the arm. I'm genuinely excited at what the arrival of McKenna can do for Darren McCurry next year.

If the opposition have to worry about McKenna, McShane, Harte and Donnelly then it could free up McCurry to do some serious damage.

If you need 4 opposition defenders to "take care" of the aboved named and then depending on Mc Curry to do "serious damage" Tyrone DONT stand a chance

How many other top counties are "hoping" their 5th/6th/7th best attacker does all the damage??

Who mentioned anything about him doing all the damage?

McCurry is the best finisher we have in the squad. Cillian O'Connor is the weakest player in the Mayo 15 and is the all time leading scorer in Championship history.

OMG !!!!! We may have just had the stupidest comment on here, O'Connor weakest player. WOW

Surely serious damage is most, if not all of the damage, same difference