Messages

It would make sense for Ben Cullen to rejoin this group now. He wasnt eligible last night, once he came on against Donegal as sub last Sunday. Tyrone dont play again until after the U20s is complete. Would be a serious addition to this panel of players

Does he start? O'Hare Daly Rafferty are nailed on and I wouldn't be completely confident on him taking Brolly's place. Maybe take Devlin's place at Wing Forward.

Not much in the game throughout but Derry had a 10 minute spell where if they had a couple of 2 footed forwards they could have got a lead. Plenty of talent on show and interesting to see who will kick on

Tyrone be looking a reasonable return out of this squad. Rafferty, Daly, Hughes, O'Neill, McCullagh, McElholm, Potter, O'Hare, McAneney would be the obvious players that would offer something to the Senior panel.

[EirGrid Ulster U20 Final: Tyrone triumph following penalty shootout]

EirGrid Ulster U20 Final: Tyrone triumph following penalty shootout

EirGrid Ulster U20 Football Championship Final
Tyrone 3-10 Derry 2-13 AET
Tyrone win 3-1 on penalties

Tyrone's second EirGrid Ulster U20 Football Championship title in three years was won in dramatic fashion as they edged out Derry in a penalty shoot-out at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Goalkeeper Conor McAneney emerged as the hero by saving Derry's first threes spot kicks, and it was left to Noah Grimes to slot home the winner..
The sides had been deadlocked on 1-11 to 2-8 at the end of normal time, but a Ryan McNicholl helped the Oak Leafers to a four point lead in extra-time. However, the Red Hands refused toe admit defeat, and pressed with passion and courage to get themselves back in contention with substitutes Ruairi McHugh, with a goal, and Conor Owens, with the game's 10th equaliser, bringing them level.
Niall O'Donnell got Derry off the mark as they made the more positive start to a game that started with both sides setting up with a fortified defensive structure. They stretched the Tyrone cover for Shea McCann to move inside and cap a weaving run with a well executed score, but Ronan Cassidy and Conor O'Neill were both on target at the other end to keep the Red Hands close. But Derry contrived an 11th minute goal, slicing a hole in the Tyrone defence as Ruairi Forbes and Danny McDermott combined, and it was Johnny McGuckian who cut in from the right to send a low shot past Conor McAneney. Tyrone hit back with a goal inside a minute, Shea O'Hare finishing from close range after Joey Clarke's shot was blocked. Clarke denied the Oaks a second goal with a brilliant block on McGuckian, but they continued to press strongly with the wind in their backs, going back in front through O'Donnell. Tyrone knocked them back with another goal, midfielder Conor O'Neill driving at the opposition defence before slipping the ball inside for Ruairi McCullagh to smash home his shot off the underside of the crossbar. However, they went in level at the break, Ronan Walls bringing Derry level at 1-6 to 2-3.
Danny McDermott had Dery back in front, but it swung back in Tyrone's favour as wing back Odhran Brolly pressed forward to pick off the lead score. And a couple of Eoin McElholm gems had the Red Hands ahead by a point going into the final quarter. The probing runs of Johnny McGuckian and the energy of corner back Fionn McEldowney propelled Derry forward again, and substitute Rory McGill fired over the leveller. After Oisin Doherty had converted his third free of the evening, McCullagh had the sides level for the ninth time. Both sides had chances to win it, but the closing ten minutes failed to produce a score, and it ended deadlocked at 1-11 to 2-8.
Defensive heroics from Rory Small and Conleth McGrogan helped restrict Tyrone to a single point, and Derry gave themselves a massive boost at the end of the first spell of added time with a Ryan McNicholl goal to lead by 2-13 to 2-9 at the turnaround.
Substitute Ruairi McHugh punched home a third Tyrone goal two minutes after the restart to plunge a gripping contest right back into the balance, and a superb equaliser from Conor Owens set up a penalty shoot-out.

Scorers for Tyrone: R McCullagh 1-2 (1f), S O'Hare, R McHugh 1-0 each, R Cassidy 0-3 (1f), E McElholm 0-2, C O'Neill, C Owens, O Brolly 0-1 each.
Scorers for Derry: O Doherty 0-4 (3fs), J McGuckian, R McNicholl 1-0 each, S McCann, N O'Donnell, R McGill 0-2 each, D McDermott, C McGrogan, R Walls 0-1 each.

Tyrone: C McAneney; J Clarke, B Hughes, Conor Devlin; S O'Hare, M Rafferty, O Brolly; R Fox, C O'Neill; Cormac Devlin, E McElholm, G Potter; R McCullagh, R Cassidy, C Daly.
Subs: F Nelis for Conor Devlin (21), R McHugh for Brolly (42), P McCann for Fox (50), N Grimes for Cassidy (55), C Owens for O'Neill (70).

Derry: C Armstrong; F McEldowney, D McDermott, R Small; C McGrogan, P McGurk, R Walls; R Forbes, C Heron; C Spiers, J McGuckian; R Walls; N O'Donnell, C Chambers, O Doherty.
Subs: R McNicholl for McCann (HT), E Higgins for Spiers (36), R McGill for Chambers (44), D McPeake for Walls (55), T Rogers for Heron (73), F Donnelly for Rafferty (73).

Referee: D Boylan (Monaghan).

Tyrone U20 Team V Monaghan - Ulster U20 Semi Final (Live On SportTG4)

1. Conor McAneney (Glenelly)
2. Joey Clarke (Donaghmore)
3. Ben Hughes (Donaghmore)
4. Conor Devlin (Ardboe)
5. Shea O'Hare (Ardboe)
6. Michael Rafferty (Killyclogher)
7. Odhran Brolly (Gortin)
8. Ronan Fox (Loughmacrory)
9. Conor O'Neill (Donaghmore)
10. Cormac Devlin (Ardboe)
11. Eoin McElholm (Loughmacrory)
12. Gavin Potter (Killyclogher)
13. Conor Owens (Beragh)
14. Ronan Cassidy (Donaghmore)
15. Callum Daly (Omagh)

16. Conan McGarvey (Donaghmore)
17. Fiachra Donnelly (Beragh)
18. Paddy McCann (Beragh)
19. Noah Grimes (Donaghmore)
20. Ruairi McCullagh (Loughmacrory)
21. Liam Og Mossey (Gortin)
22. Hugh J Cunningham (Pomeroy)
23. Ronan Donnelly (Donaghmore)
24. Callan Kelly (Cookstown)

25. Barry McMenamin (Aghyaran)
26. Shane Hughes (Clonoe)
27. Caolan Donnelly (Fintona)
28. Ruairi McHugh (Coalisland)
29. Fiachra Nelis (Edendork)
30. Oisin Gormley (Drumquin)

Tyrone U20 Team V Monaghan - Ulster U20 Semi Final (Live On SportTG4)

1. Conor McAneney (Glenelly)
2. Joey Clarke (Donaghmore)
3. Ben Hughes (Donaghmore)
4. Conor Devlin (Ardboe)
5. Shea O'Hare (Ardboe)
6. Michael Rafferty (Killyclogher)
7. Odhran Brolly (Gortin)
8. Ronan Fox (Loughmacrory)
9. Conor O'Neill (Donaghmore)
10. Cormac Devlin (Ardboe)
11. Eoin McElholm (Loughmacrory)
12. Gavin Potter (Killyclogher)
13. Conor Owens (Beragh)
14. Ronan Cassidy (Donaghmore)
15. Callum Daly (Omagh)

16. Conan McGarvey (Donaghmore)
17. Fiachra Donnelly (Beragh)
18. Paddy McCann (Beragh)
19. Noah Grimes (Donaghmore)
20. Ruairi McCullagh (Loughmacrory)
21. Liam Og Mossey (Gortin)
22. Hugh J Cunningham (Pomeroy)
23. Ronan Donnelly (Donaghmore)
24. Callan Kelly (Cookstown)

25. Barry McMenamin (Aghyaran)
26. Shane Hughes (Clonoe)
27. Caolan Donnelly (Fintona)
28. Ruairi McHugh (Coalisland)
29. Fiachra Nelis (Edendork)
30. Oisin Gormley (Drumquin)

They have made an awful balls of the underage county stuff.

The minor set up is shocking. Three tiers. It is nearly harder to get knocked out than it is to go and win something. All the talk of player burn out and they add a pile of meaningless games and then secondary tournaments. Cups, shields, plates, spoon competitions. Complete farce.

Any news on availability for the weekend?

Meyler still unavailable. What is his injury?

Quad. Apparently relapsed during his rehab and set himself back. So his involvement this summer could be very limited.

Very disappointing that none of the incredibly successful CBS Hogan Cup winning team got awarded an Ulster Colleges All Star.

I would say they are not too annoyed. None of the 3 Tyrone schools who got to the semi finals of the McRory got any awards.

It is done on a trial basis system so I assume none of the 3 schools sent their players to these trials.

I could be wrong but I believe this is how it works.

Trials took place the week prior to the Hogan Cup Final so Omagh CBS sent no players forward. Dungannon and Donaghmore likewise were unable to send players to trials due to Tyrone Minor and Under 20 commitments.
For Omagh CBS as back to back MacRory and Hogan Cup winners to have only won one All-Star (Conor Owens) across the two campaigns shows how big of a joke the whole college all star system is.

[Another All Ireland for Paul Dook possibly]

Loughmacrory should be concerned. Missing their 3 U20s and Donaghy on the seniors but Omagh also down men shows the lack of depth Lough have in their squad. They have lost a few important players to emigration and their must be internal fear of a relegation battle. Be a lot of expectations on McElholm and McCullagh this year.

No more word on McElholm going to Australian Rules or is that out the window now? He was very impressive last week against Monaghan in the U20s.

He was very impressive indeed, but anyone could have been impressive that night against Monaghan B team.
Bigger tests to follow for the U20's but so far so good.
Another All Ireland for Paul Dook possibly

Some hanlin that would be. End up the main contender for the Senior manager and that would set Tyrone back to about 1998.

Loughmacrory should be concerned. Missing their 3 U20s and Donaghy on the seniors but Omagh also down men shows the lack of depth Lough have in their squad. They have lost a few important players to emigration and their must be internal fear of a relegation battle. Be a lot of expectations on McElholm and McCullagh this year.

No more word on McElholm going to Australian Rules or is that out the window now? He was very impressive last week against Monaghan in the U20s.

Still being monitored I believe. I think they keep a player under observation for a certain period of time and then potentially make him an offer down the line. So the Australian rules is something that might rear its head again in the future for him.

All the best to Killyclogher youngster Paul Fox who has taken the reins of the senior men for the year. A draw v Errigal at the weekend not a bad start! 

All the best to Killyclogher youngster Paul Fox who has taken the reins of the senior men for the year. A draw v Errigal at the weekend not a bad start! 

Someone report or ban this spoofer

The situation Killyclogher find themselves in, it wouldn't surprise me

[Galbally Pearses]

Jim Devlin Cup Round 1

An Charraig Mhor Naomh Colmcille 1-07 1-08 Galbally Pearses
Fianna Oileán an Ghuail CLG 1-11 0-14 An Droim Mór Naoimh Damhnait (Dromore 5-4 on Penalties)
Dungannon Thomas Clarke GAA 1-11 1-11 Domhnach Mór Naoimh Pádraig (Dunganannon 5-3 on Penalties)
Pomeroy Plunketts 3-06 1-08 An Eaglais, Naomh Pádraig
Coill an Chlochair Naomh Mhuire 0-13 0-13 Errigal Ciaran (Errigal 3-2 on Penalties)
Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa 0-08 1-06 Trí Leac C. Naoimh Mhic Artáin
Clonoe O`Rahilly's CLG 2-13 0-03 Edendork St Malachy's
Loughmacrory St. Teresa's 1-04 5-14 Omagh St Enda's

[Gormley will be a major loss if injury keeps himon the sidelines going into the knockout rounds.]

Daly a class act and the half back line would be fairly strong as well with all impressing tonight. Ohare electric pace which is hard to handle at any level

Brolly & O'Hare always willing runners on the wing. Rafferty quality through the centre. Gormley will be a major loss if injury keeps himon the sidelines going into the knockout rounds. MCCullagh McCann & Grimes off the bench are quality assets to have

Under 20 season over for him by all accounts. McHugh probably come back into the middle and O'Neill or McCann probably fill the role that Gormley was playing.
Probably leave the team looking like:
McAneney
Clarke Hughes Devlin
O'Hare Daly Rafferty
McHugh O'Neill/Fox
Devlin/Brolly McElholm Potter
Owens Cassidy O'Neill/McCann
And that still leaves McCullagh and Grimes and the men who don't get the nod.

Nipped over to the island tonight to watch the U20s play. Monaghan had a weakened team on but still I thought Tyrone were excellent on a tough night conditions wise. Be nice to see this team go all the way. I think they can!

Monaghan played the second string tonight as they had nothing to play for. Couldn't get top spot and had their Quarter Final berth secured.
Tyrone still impressive in awful conditions. Defence very much on top and littered with outstanding talents and Callum Daly anchors the whole thing really well. Tyrone's squad men definetly put their hands up for selection going forward. Some wealth of options in having Ruairi McCullagh and Noah Grimes putting pressure on that starting forward line.

Wednesday 10 April

Ulster U20FC
Donegal v Armagh, Ballybofey - Postponed
Fermanagh 1-11 Cavan 2-9

Derry 5-16 Antrim 0-3
Tyrone 5-20 Monaghan 0-8

Monaghan played the second string tonight as they had nothing to play for. Couldn't get top spot and had their Quarter Final berth secured. Tyrone still impressive in awful conditions. Tyrone's squad men definetly put their hands up for selection going forward. Some wealth of options in having Ruairi McCullagh and Noah Grimes putting pressure on that starting forward line.