McKenna Cup 2024

[AFS]

Jesus talk about creating a row just for the sake of it. The colleges are undoubtedly a good and interesting addition to the McKenna Cup but the annual petty bitch session from Harte and now Cassidy doesn't help things. Not having a few lads, that you're only likely to give a half hour here and there anyway, for a few pre season friendlies in early January is not going to seriously affect your season ffs.

[Bomber]

Is it just me that thinks it's good for a player to play for his University during McKenna Cup?

1. He is likely to play all three or more games in the competition for his University which he probably won't for county
2. He will be tested by county players in those games the same way he would for his county anyway
3. He can be watched by someone on behalf of manager in his games and could possibly be watched by manager as all games might not clash
4. County manager can take a look at other players for longer in games during Univerisity player's absence

If University teams don't have their county players it is pointless them playing in the competition. The players should not be put under this pressure. 

Aye i think its just you. So ypu think a county manager is going to go to all the matches his potential players are going to play in. plus his own games, plus his own training, never mind the behind the scenes meetings. Wake the f**k up.
The Mc kenna cup is a county competition, for county football. The prelude to this uni footballers getting into this compotetion was a s a result of the change of timing of the competition by the provincial councils to the after xmas slot. This seriously messded up the uni's opportunity to play good challenge games at that time of the year against th counties as the counties were playing in the Mc Kenna cup.
This agenda is being driven by the uni's to get meaningful games, when they already have a compo (Ryan Cup) in place to cater for their needs, and then on top of all of that the Ulster council creates this stupid rule preventing players developed by clubs from within the county from selecting its own players. What a complete load of balls.

Perhaps you should wake the f**k up! If a manager was interested in doing as well as possible in his role than he would go out of his way to see any player in action, at any time, anywhere. This is what is takes to get to the top. Ask Mickey Harte, never saw a man attend as many fixtures other than when Tyrone are involved, to help his preparation for his team to do well.

Perhaps you should read point three again, (3. He can be watched by someone on behalf of manager in his games). That's for when games clash. If a county team is playing on a Saturday night and then his college players are playing on the Sunday, he should without any question attend that college game. County managers are getting paid enough these days, it's the least he could do.

If you want to win Sam, thats what it takes, and much more!!

[Bomber]

Is it just me that thinks it's good for a player to play for his University during McKenna Cup?

1. He is likely to play all three or more games in the competition for his University which he probably won't for county
2. He will be tested by county players in those games the same way he would for his county anyway
3. He can be watched by someone on behalf of manager in his games and could possibly be watched by manager as all games might not clash
4. County manager can take a look at other players for longer in games during Univerisity player's absence

If University teams don't have their county players it is pointless them playing in the competition. The players should not be put under this pressure. 

Aye i think its just you. So ypu think a county manager is going to go to all the matches his potential players are going to play in. plus his own games, plus his own training, never mind the behind the scenes meetings. Wake the f**k up.
The Mc kenna cup is a county competition, for county football. The prelude to this uni footballers getting into this compotetion was a s a result of the change of timing of the competition by the provincial councils to the after xmas slot. This seriously messded up the uni's opportunity to play good challenge games at that time of the year against th counties as the counties were playing in the Mc Kenna cup.
This agenda is being driven by the uni's to get meaningful games, when they already have a compo (Ryan Cup) in place to cater for their needs, and then on top of all of that the Ulster council creates this stupid rule preventing players developed by clubs from within the county from selecting its own players. What a complete load of balls.

Perhaps you should wake the f**k up! If a manager was interested in doing as well as possible in his role than he would go out of his way to see any player in action, at any time, anywhere. This is what is takes to get to the top. Ask Mickey Harte, never saw a man attend as many fixtures other than when Tyrone are involved, to help his preparation for his team to do well.

Perhaps you should read point three again, (3. He can be watched by someone on behalf of manager in his games). That's for when games clash. If a county team is playing on a Saturday night and then his college players are playing on the Sunday, he should without any question attend that college game. County managers are getting paid enough these days, it's the least he could do.

If you want to win Sam, thats what it takes, and much more!!

So you know what it takes to win Sam, no chance of you answering my point on the uni playing in a county compo but the counties not getting access to the players.

Bringing in the college teams added something to what was a boring old competition! What difference does it make whether he plays for his college or county team during the competition, it will still develop him as a player for when he represents his county in league or championship. Not many county teams care if they win the compeition anyway so missing players shouldn't worry them too much.

By the way I'm glad your not in charge of my county team as you wouldn't have a clue what it would take to do well!

P.S. Are you Damian Cassidy in disguise?

[Maguire01]

It's amusing to see people getting their knickers in a twist over the McKenna Cup!

However...

The Mc kenna cup is a county competition, for county football.

The McKenna Cup is clearly now a competition for both counties and universities. You either give the Universities appropriate status in the competition, or you don't have them at all.

As it is, the Universities are in the competition and managers should respect the competition rules. Furthermore, the Ulster Council should enforce those rules and punish managers/counties who disregard them (i.e. remove that county from the competition for the year), thereby removing the pressure from the players to decide whether to go with county or university.

[mackers]

The universities entering the competition also allowed the Ulster Council to switch it to a round robin in the early stages to allow managers to see fringe players over the course of a few games rather than one knockout game as it was up until then. Some managers just don't seem to be able to take the McKenna Cup for what it is meant to be.

[Maximus Marillius]

The universities entering the competition also allowed the Ulster Council to switch it to a round robin in the early stages to allow managers to see fringe players over the course of a few games rather than one knockout game as it was up until then. Some managers just don't seem to be able to take the McKenna Cup for what it is meant to be.

Mackers from reading the article I dont think it just all about the Mc Keena cup.... but alot to do with how they couldn't train in Decemeber/or have challenge matches and how that would impact along with not having all their players available for the games in january . But I do take your point

[never kickt a ball]

Dooher to miss start of the season

Brian Dooher has been ruled out of Tyrone's Dr McKenna Cup campaign as he continues his recovery from groin surgery. The double All-Ireland winning captain recently underwent surgery on a groin problem that had been troubling him for some time, having postponed the operation until after the Red Hands' successful All-Ireland campaign. Tyrone boss Mickey Harte expressed the hope that the Clann na Gael clubman would be fit to return for the start of the National League.  "It's something that had been bothering him for some time, but Brian wanted to wait until the end of the season before getting it attended to, which is what has happened," he said.  "The surgery is getting better. It would have been much more severe some time back but the ability to deal with it now, the new procedures, we're hoping will reduce the rehab time. "This will rule Brian out of the McKenna Cup completely, and until he gets fully over that then he won't be used."

http://www.hoganstand.com/Tyrone/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=104203

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Does anyone know if the county panels have to be named by next Monday? Has anyone heard of any players that will be called up for it by Harte? Wonder will Tyrone take it more serious than last season.

[bigfrank]

Cant imagine panels having to be named til at least end of the month,not many counties holdin trials etc to even select new players!!

[laceer]

Does anyone know if the county panels have to be named by next Monday? Has anyone heard of any players that will be called up for it by Harte? Wonder will Tyrone take it more serious than last season.

hear there's a fitness test for potential tyrone panelists next week but no training till after christmas

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Had heard something bout there being a fitness test for Tyrone panelists. Wonder does that include any/many new players?

Thought I read the universities had to submit their panels by 1st December and then the counties a week later. Havent seen any word of university panels being released so could be wrong.

[laceer]

Had heard something bout there being a fitness test for Tyrone panelists. Wonder does that include any/many new players?

Thought I read the universities had to submit their panels by 1st December and then the counties a week later. Havent seen any word of university panels being released so could be wrong.

know of at least one new player from round our way that's been asked

i'd say harte knows exactly what his panel/team will be anyway

[cornerback]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7761079.stm

The Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup will start on Saturday 3 January with a Section C fixture between Cavan and Queen's at Breffni Park (1900 GMT).

Four games have been scheduled for Sunday 4 January (1400).

In Section A, Fermanagh will face Derry at Enniskillen with UUJ taking on Donegal at Ballybofey.

On the same afternoon, St Mary's will take on holders Down at Newry in Section B while Armagh will face Antrim in Section C at Armagh.

All 12 teams will then be in action on Sunday 11 January while five games midweek games have been scheduled for 14 January.

The remaining section matches will see Cavan facing Armagh at Saturday 17 January and Tyrone tackling Monaghan the following afternoon.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Group A: Fermanagh, Derry, Jordanstown, Donegal

Group B: Tyrone, Monaghan, Down, St Mary's

Group C: Armagh, Queen's, Cavan, Antrim.

Semi-finals: Group A winners v Best runners up; Group B winners v Group C winners.

3 Jan
Section C - Cavan v Queen's (1900 GMT)

4 Jan (1400)
Section A - Fermanagh v Derry (Enniskillen)
UUJ v Donegal (Ballybofey)
Section B - St Mary's v Down (Newry)
Section C - Armagh v Antrim (Armagh)

11 Jan (1400)
Section A - Derry v UUJ (Ballinascreen)
Donegal v Fermanagh (Ballyshannon)
Section B - Monaghan v St Mary's (Emyvale)
Down v Tyrone (Newry)
Section C - Antrim v Cavan (Casement Park)
Queen's v Armagh (Armagh)

14 Jan (1930)
Section A - Fermanagh v UUJ (Enniskillen)
Derry v Donegal (Ballinderry)
Section B - Tyrone v St Mary's (Omagh)
Monaghan v Down (Inniskeen)
Section C - Antrim v Queen's (Casement Park)

17 Jan (1900)
Section C - Cavan v Armagh (Cavan)

18 Jan (1400)
Section B - Tyrone v Monaghan (Omagh)

21 Jan
Semi-Finals: C v B, A v best runner-up

24 Jan
Final

[never kickt a ball]

Antrims 2009 Mc Kenna Cup Panel includes 12 players who came through the recent trials,34 players are currentyly in the panel, 6 of whom will be on duty with their respective universitys.

David Mc Alernon Aghagallon
Neil O Connell Ahoghill
Donal Graham Ahoghill
Tony Scullion Cargin
Kieron Close Cargin
Michael Mc Cann Cargin
Kevin Mc Quillan Dunloy
Conor Creaney Glenavey
Paul Conlon Gortnamona
John Finucane Lamh Dhearg
Paddy Cunningham Lamh Dhearg
Kevin Brady Moneyglass
Paddy Carey Portglenone
Martin Mc Carry Portglenone
Gerard Mc Aleese Portglenone
Benny Hasson Rasharkin
Dara Edwards St Brigids
Conor Maxwell St Endas
Damien Gault St Endas
Andy Mc Lean St Galls
Colin Brady St Galls
Adian Gallagher St Galls
Aaron Douglas St Johns
Kevin Mc Glinchey St Johns
Sean Mc Greevey St Pauls
Liam Carlin St Pauls
Conor Mc Goldrick St Teresas
Michael Mc Gill Tir Na Nog

James Loughrey Queens St Brigids
Justin Crozier Queens Cargin
Sean Burke Queens St Galls
Michael Pollock   St Marys Gort na Mona
Thomas Mc Cann UUJ Cargin
Kevin O Boyle UUJ Cargin

http://antrim.gaa.ie/news/details/?id=1361

[AFS]

Thats Dara Edwards from Armagh isn't it?