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It's not a bad line up and he continues to experiment. The players in the half forward line in theory should all be good at picking up ball. McKenna is a midfielder at club level and needs to provide a bit of help. Hughes and McGuigan should both be capable of winning ball. It's not a reserve side but its definitely far from full strength. Like the team below not starting if fully fit would possibly beat the team named on Sunday:
M O'Neill
R McKenna
Justy McMahon
PJ Quinn
R McNabb
Joe McMahon
C Gormley
A Cassidy
D McBride
M Penrose
S Cavanagh
Mark Donnelly
K Coney
S O'Neill
C McAliskey

I'd still be hopeful enough of picking up the points with plenty of good options on the bench if we're in trouble.

On a negative note,

- Many counties are up to their eyes in debt,my own county cannot even remunerate it's secretary

- Pop acts and foreign games now take precedence over GAA activities on the hallowed sward of Croke Park.

- League Finals are an embarrassment, with a far bigger crowd attending the opening game than the final

- Some provinces don't even enforce their own rules

- Rich counties are getting richer while the poor get poorer

- Championship ticket prices remain a deterrent for many Gaels.

Yes some counties are struggling but GAA centrally is doing well financially which will ensure there is no threat to the counties. I would say overall the gaa is in a much better financial state than its competitiors in the country.

The bit about the pop acts is a cheap dig. It's one weekend over the summer and the returns which can be reinvested in the gaa are huge. The chances are Croke Park wouldn't have been used that weekend anyway. The hurling quarter finals were in Thurles last year and the back door games are better suited to other venues. My only concern is the pitch.

I'm not sure about the structural set up of the group regarding ownership of croke park but the fact that they're making intercompany loans would suggest they're part of same group as the gaa. Without looking at the details I'm be pretty sure the gaa are still in control of Croke Park and the company running it is there for commercial reasons.

My main point was that despite the huge hype about other games from the media both nationally and internationally the gaa should be proud of how popular our games remain. If rugby or soccer occupied 7 of the 10 most watched games in Ireland the media would be all over it. And this combined with rising attendances can only be taken as a positive year for the gaa.

My other point was with the financial stabiilty in place and current standing the gaa can grow even stronger if managed correctly with proper marketing and fixtures (both club and county).

Fair enough comment. Though it also has to be recognised that the smaller teams will struggle a lot of the time anyway due to lower numbers. But they should be allowed to maximise there ability and be competitive as possible.

I do believe a 2 tier championship may ultimately work better. This allows teams to play at their own level which is better for everyone. The 2nd tier winners could join the main championship in a play off match to ensure everyone still has chance of winning all Ireland but it would be good to have a decent 2nd tier championship meaning more teams having a realistic chance of winning something.

It's been a few very positive weeks for the gaa. Despite unprecedented coverage and hype for other sports in Ireland in recent years the gaa remains strong. In the last few weeks we've had the following stories:
1) The top 3 watched sports programmes in Ireland last year were gaa. It also accounted for 7 of the top ten sports shows in Ireland.
2) Croke park debt has been fully cleared leaving the gaa with even greater resources going forward.
3) Gaa attendances increased last year and in turn generated over 2 million additional revenue centrally.
4) 4 garth brooks concerts announced on top of 3 already planned for one direction and an American football game next year meaning huge revenues for the association.

I think for some reason people are often slow to praise the gaa but the above highlights it's continued popularity in the country. It faces tough competition from soccer and rugby and for some reason seems to be a poor relation with the media.

I'd love to see the gaa use the additional funds to continue to promote the games and try to ensure an even footing In terms of coverage with other sports. We seem to be entering a new positive era in football and hurling is more competitive than it has been for ages and these can only be positives for the games. If properly managed the gaa can remain the number one organisation for years to come.

I do think we could promote the league a lot better. It takes up an awful amount of the season to be treated as a warm up competition with passing interest. Either combine it with the championship or somehow increase the importance of it as a standalone competition.

I've no idea why they didn't promote the opening games more this year. 2006 and 2009 showed the potential the gaa has when it promotes an event right. Why not have a national gaa celebration every year to kick of the leagues in croke park with a big football and hurling games. Put on an act and spend a fortune on lights and fireworks if that's what it takes. Increased attendance will cover the costs. Do something to boost the finals to.

The county game is a huge vehicle for promoting the games and should continue to be with continued promotion of our top players. Equally though club games are important. It's imperative that regular fixtures are put in place for all counties. No longer can we treat our players like crap and expect them to wait about for months with no games.

I'd really like to see us put in a lot more pressure defensively on Sunday. If we stand of the big teams like Saturday they will destroy us. Watched the highlights there and for goal pj lavery got caught wrong side of his man and then a 1 2 was played as he followed back and he didn't follow the man. In next play Mcginley was a mile of his man. And for final score mattie d made no effort to block lynch. I'm glad to see us going more attacking but can't ignore basic defensive duties.

I could see 2 or 3 changes this week. Think Harte will make changes throughout the league. Mcaliskey and/or ronan oneill will probably start. Colm cavanagh will probably come into midfield.

I can see both sides of argument regarding sean cavanagh. He provides a great option inside and could get a free role which would allow him to go in and out. But he's so influential running at people from deep and picking up ball that Harte may keep him out the pitch. Grugan looks a decent option and can hopefully improve throughout the league.

Maybe I'm being harsh on McGuigan and expecting too much following the McKenna cup but I'd just liked to have seen him pick up a bit more ball. He has the potential to pick up ball from kick outs and seems to be a decent fielder. Would be hoping for the likes of him to really push on during the league.

Sometimes I don't understand during games why we don't get more bodies round the middle for the breaking ball at kick outs. We rarely catch ball in midfield so breaks are hugely important for the team.

Overall I think there are a lot of encouraging signs though. 2 fit cavanaghs, joe McMahon and gormley would add lots to the team. Ideally justy and oneill too but hard to be to confident of that. Will be interesting to see if there's still places in the team for mark Donnelly and penrose.

With 2 away games in Munster to come in march I think this is a very important game if tyrone are to have a chance of making the semis. Hopefully the younger players can push on from Saturday and learn some lessons from it. Mayo will be strong round the middle so it's important tyrone get stuck in there. I'd like to see a change at centre half back and mattie Donnelly brought out the pitch to win ball. Pj and McGuigan will be lucky to start again but given their performances in the McKenna cup I'd give both another go. Would like to see this team
Morgan
Mcginley
Clarke
Tierney
Mcnabb
Mcbride
Harte
Colm
Grugan
Pj lavery
McGuigan
Mattie d
Mccurry
Mcaliskey
O'neill

I wonder if there is a chance Harte will go back to keeper rotation or if he believes Morgan is now too important for it. I'm not convinced with the full back line but options are limited.

People can't complain about Harte being too negative and then also complain about not playing a sweeper cause it cost us a league game. If he's trying new tactics you can't change your ways every time the pressure comes on during the league. I'd be more concerned about our lack of ability to win break ball around the middle which is putting us under pressure.

Very good game given the conditions and time of year. We played well at times but also went out of the game for 2 longs spells which is something that needs to be worked on. Was disappointed in the half forward line. If we're going to win anything this year we need to get better at winning break ball which is very important for the half forward line. I think Donnelly might have to come back out here next week. Colm Cavanagh definitely helped midfield when he came on. Seemed to run out of steam a little as a result of it being his first game and this may have been a factor in the poor last 15 minutes round the middle.

The forwards did play some nice football at times and McCurry is showing well. Another good game from Morgan. I think Harte needs to look at his defence. If we're going to go man to man then Peter Harte needs to move to the wing as he's too attacking for centre half. Someone like Joe McMahon might be better suited to holding this area. Clarke at full back struggles to get out in front of his man.

Hope the games goes ahead and I'm happy enough none of the older boys are back starting. The younger boys did everything asked of them in the McKenna cup and more so deserve their chance at this level. I'm looking forward to seeing how all the debutants get on and Mcbride at midfield. Also curious as to how the mattie Donnelly experiment at full forward will go.

Having said all that wouldn't be surprised if there is no game on!

Can anyone give me an update on the squad.
Which of the more experienced lads will be back for the league?

Who do you see as our corner backs this year?

News from the squad seems to be quiet enough. I suspect a one or two more experienced may be involved on Saturday and the rest eased back in as the league goes on.

There's no doubt that the full back line could be our biggest weakness and an area that we could struggle in. Looking at the squad and assuming given his age Gormley is only an option at half back the options for corner back seem to be:
McRory
PJ Quinn
Tierney
McKenna
McNamee
Carlin
We will miss McCarron this year as he was solid enough in one of the positions. Looking at the above I'm not totally convinced with the options. Carlin hasn't nailed down a place there previously so unlikey to now. PJ is a good option but struggles with injuries. McRory is quick and big and reasonably sticky but he has always just been to clean and stands off too much. I'm not sure if he can improve this at this stage of his career. I'd like to see Tierney get a few games. He stuck to Clarke rightly versus Armagh though Clarke always beat him to he ball and looked very dangerous. He seems sticky to stick to his man but could lack the power at the top level and could be easily turned when over commits.

Harte may need to think again about who to play here but there doesn't seem to be many options around the county. Looking at the squad there isn't a huge number of options that could be converted. McGinley is quick and big enough but could have the same problems as McRory in the postion.

Any predictions for the Tyrone team for this one? Based on the McKenna Cup I'd like to see something like this:
Morgan
McKenna
Clarke
Tierney
McGinley
Harte
McNabb
Grugan
McBride
PJ Lavery
McGuigan
S Cavanagh
McCurry
Donnelly
McAliskey

Exciting enough team which rewards boys who did well in McKenna Cup. Ronan O'Neill would be unlucky not to start but great option to come off the bench. Sean Cavanagh is the one player who if fit I'd throw straight back in due to the difference he'd make. Would be interesting to see how midfield would do and McGuigan and PJ Lavery would be exciting additions to the half forward line. Still not sure about the full back line.

Given the time of year I think the athletic grounds would make more sense. It provides cover for the full crowd compared to ennisklillen where a lot of people would have to sit out in the rain. Wonder was it playable this weekend.

I've a feeling he'll try Sean in the forwards for a game or 2 so there may be at least one midfield position free for part of the league. From what I've seen so far in the McKenna cup grugan or Mcbride could be best to fill it. Definitely interested to see how Mcbride gets on tomorrow night.