Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[Goals_Will_Come]

How does mcshane deserve to start in that team? He has been brutal since after than injury, and played no club football last year.

Who is your alternative for full forward? Last year showed they need a vocal point to play against the top teams.

[Mikhailov]

How long will Mattie Donnelly be out for?

Ruairi Canavan quiet enough for UU I thought. A few other forwards were more impressive which I was surprised at.

Niall Loughlin was impressive from what I seen. Maybe he is overshadowed by other players at county level but he looked good last night in the clips that I seen.

[imtommygunn]

Yeah I thought he really stood out. Canavan maybe better out in half forwards - think he was corner forward most of the game.

[NotedObserver]

Yeah I thought he really stood out. Canavan maybe better out in half forwards - think he was corner forward most of the game.

Stood out in previous years as well for UUJ. Does okay for Derry but capable of more as has the quality. He is a fair bit older and experienced that the other lads which has to be taken into account

[inroundthesquare]

How long will Mattie Donnelly be out for?

Ruairi Canavan quiet enough for UU I thought. A few other forwards were more impressive which I was surprised at.

2 points from play, involved in setting up a couple of others - not a bad game either. Cush looked lively at half forward, has size about him for kickouts

[Goals_Will_Come]

https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/richie-donnelly-calls-time-on-tyrone-career-ILA4L26LYVE5FP5SVO6LCCB2VM/

TYRONE have been dealt another retirement blow with the news that Richie Donnelly has opted out for the incoming season.

The Trillick man's decision comes just over a week out from the beginning of the Allianz League and is something of a surprise.

While recent seasons had been constantly disrupted by niggly injuries, Donnelly's autumn form was the best of his career as he guided Trillick to a league and championship double in Tyrone.

In the absence of his brother Mattie and other key players, he stepped up along with Rory Brennan in particular and propelled them to within a whisker of an Ulster final, losing an epic semi-final to Scotstown after extra-time.

He didn't start a game for Tyrone in 2023 however, making just seven substitute appearances and getting no game time in the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Kerry.

The former St Michael's Enniskillen student made his debut off the bench against Limerick in the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2015.

He has gone on to make 71 appearances for the Red Hands at senior level, with 29 of those coming in the championship and another 29 in the League, scoring 2-53 in the process.

Donnelly was part of the 2021 All-Ireland winning panel, although he wasn't in the matchday 26 for the final as he struggled to shake off the effects of Covid having contracted it the week before the Ulster final in the middle of a condensed championship.

He was named to start the 2018 final against Dublin but was replaced before throw-in by his clubmate Rory Brennan.

Donnelly came on in the second half but the game was already gone by then.

His brother Mattie has declared his intention to stay on despite spending the winter recuperating from another serious leg injury, while Peter Harte's appearance in the McKenna Cup indicates there's unlikely to be any more major surprises for Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher to deal with.

They lost Donnelly's 2010 All-Ireland minor winning team-mate Niall Sludden to retirement in recent weeks.

[RedHand88]

Why does nobody want to play county for Tyrone anymore?

[Mikhailov]

Why does nobody want to play county for Tyrone anymore?

It is getting very close (maybe it already has) got to the stage whereby the team of players who have walked/declined would beat the current starting 15.

[tyrone86]

Why does nobody want to play county for Tyrone anymore?

It is getting very close (maybe it already has) got to the stage whereby the team of players who have walked/declined would beat the current starting 15.

Other than McNamee and Rory Brennan who has walked away while they were a starter?

[Tyrone11234]

Munroe played the full league last year. Bradley and mccann were starting a right bit. Sludden retiring fairly early considering he was playing every game

[NotedObserver]

Training would be hit a fair bit. Add into that Donaghy, J Munroe, P Teague, Conroy and M Cassidy it is a fair bit of quality that isnt available.

Understand that these players may train all year and maybe not see much game time

[trailer]

Good enough. Frees space up in the squad for younger players. County is full of players who want to play for the team. If you don't want to commit and put the effort in then you're not good enough to wear the jersey regardless of talent.

[square_ball]

Munroe played the full league last year. Bradley and mccann were starting a right bit. Sludden retiring fairly early considering he was playing every game

Sludden started 1 league game last year and then barely featured at all in the championship. Never even got off the bench for the Kerry, Donegal and Westmeath matches. Obviously had slipped well down the pecking order of Dooher and Logan.

[God14]

Richie had an outstanding season with the club but personally i feel he's alot more suited to the pace of the club game now. I dont think he would have got many minutes this year

The cumulative effect of so many players making themselves unavailable has left us reeling for sure. A lengthy injury list too. I cant see anything other than two defeats in the opening two NFL games, so we will be under the microscope very soon, and the pressure is most certainly on the management team.

Thankfully there is plenty of younger talent coming through. Some encouraging performances in Sigerson from non panelists like Eoin Corry, Brian Conway in an area of the pitch where we need reinforcement. Dooher has said the panel is fluid so lets wait & see. I think we have to be patient with some of the younger forwards as well such as Ruairi Canavan and Cush. It will take time, but the effort and quality is there.

Biggest concern for me is around the half back line, especially 6. Id like to see a stronger pressence in there.

[square_ball]

I'm fully expecting a win at home to Roscommon first day out. Derry may be a different story a week later.