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What I can't understand is if Tyrone were docked two points, why werent they also docked their scoring average from the game?   Docking their scoring average I believe would have resulted in them failing to make the knock out stage. Why have Tyrone still been allowed to benefit from the rule breaking?  In my opinion Tyrone either shouldnt have been penalised at all or should have been removed from the competition. This half way house is something I can see coming back to hurt the Ulster council later in the year.

I have played a little but not in this country.  My university in Texas were big into it and I played it there

Ahh if it was McCreesh at number 5 then I might have been wrong on my feelings on Ferris.  I didnt get a program yesterday so I was going on the fact people beside me where saying Ferris was number 5

I thought Ferris had a very good game and showed a lot of promise for the future (maybe not this year though).  Seemed to win a lot of ball that wasnt his to win

Also played against St Mary's in the McKenna cup there a few years ago, although I think that was technically a Saint Mary's home game.

I remember at that game turning to the guy I was with and saying I wouldnt have Ronan Austin near the county panel.  Didnt think that at that minute I would be standing next to his sister and watching him kick a brilliant pass into McDonnell for the games opening goal.  Pretty poor timing on my part

RTE are saying the game is in davitt.

Just as a matterof interest how will Steven O'Neil be eligible to play in this game whilst he is suspended?  I am just asking because I remember reading Mattie Forde wasnt allowed to train with international rules whilst suspended so I am wondering how this is overally different?

Cavanmaniac its a great idea in theroy but at the same time there is an argument that rules like that would prevent some especially rural clubs from fielding teams at a number of levels which would properly result in even more player drop out.  Something needs to be done unfortunately I cant see keeping everyone at the their own age level as being the answer.  This is especially true for kids at younger levels where the big/skillfull kids can dominate games at their own level and need to move up an age group in order to remain interested and develop.

Im not sure about this argument that young players and success at underage level doesnt make a difference.  About 10 or 12 years ago we had for the only time my brother (whos much older than me) can remember our own Under 14 team (as opposed to being part of the amalgamted St Johns Under 14-s) and we were very successfull in winning an under 14 league.  That couple with appearences from St Johns in under 16 and minior finals in the last 5/6 years (different age group to the earlier under 14's) has left us with a crop of very good (by our divisions standards) young players coming through who know how to win.  It is probably no coincedance therefore that these good young players coming through such as Shane Smyth and John McCormack and Micheal McQuade etc have resulted in us contesting two junior championship finals (winning one) and winning two promotions in the last three or four years.

Not sure how this relates at the top level of Armagh football but lower down the leagues it appears that youth success can be very helpful for senior success down the line.

Another point I remeber hearing an RTE commentator in 1998 after Galway won the All Ireland saying that good minor teams usually form the backbone for good senior teams when the players on it reach 27 or 28 i.e. 9/10 years after minor level.  Armagh won minor Ulster titles in 1992 and 1994 and have had remarkable success at senior level 10 years later, again this may just be coincedance

What were the admission prices for the games today?  I remember last year in the Armagh v Jordanstown game i was refused student prices

Just as a matter of interest how many times is that now O'Neil has been straight red carded in his inter county career?

Not 100% sure what age Smyth is but I dont think hes more than 3 years older than me so that would have him around 25.  The only reason I suggest him is that he was in the panel in 2002 and for me he is playing better football in a higher division now

I know I mentioned it before but it kind of got lost in my Andrew Mallon comment, but what about Shane Smyth.  Was in the panel in 2002 and was only dropped in 2003 to have surgery for a knee injury, hasnt been back in the panel since but had a good year with Annaghmore this year as they came out of division 3

I cant win last time I called him Andy Mallon I got criticised for calling him Andy because someone (on a different board) complained I was trying to make it look like I was friendly with him when I have never met him before in my life.  But yes I did mean Andy Mallon from Pearse Og

Theres a few surprising ommissions for me from that squad.  Where is Andrew Mallon, is he playing for one of the universities?  I also would have thought Shane Smyth would have been worth another look in this competition after the great year he had allbeit in division 3.  Mind you I might be a bit biased in that regaurd