After Galway defeat two points really needed to avoid a relegation battle. Will Mickey ring the changes again? Will lads like Gareth Devlin, Jason Mc Annulla, Snowy O'Neill get a run out? Will Stevie O'Neill be back or is it too soon?
Must win game for tyrone. Although it good to try out new players before the championship tyrone need to bag a few points to stay in div 1.
Mickey will need to pick up 2 points shortly although I don't think he'll be losing a lot of sleep about it.
Glad it's not in Omagh.. we might get a couple of points from this one!
If Tyrone never played again in Omagh I'd be happy. The only thing good about it is the stand. For all the money spent by the county board I cant work out why they havent put a new pitch down that is worthy of our best players playing on. Also I hope the county board soon realise Saturday nights dont work - very poor atmosphere and much smaller crowds. There was over 11,000 at the Kerry game with only around 4,000 there last night. There was never going to be as many at the Galway game but if it had been today you'd have possibly got close to twice the crowd that was there last night.
Any word on Stephen O'Neill or how serious his injury is? Will he be in contention for this one?
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on March 08, 2009, 05:59:32 PM
If Tyrone never played again in Omagh I'd be happy. The only thing good about it is the stand. For all the money spent by the county board I cant work out why they havent put a new pitch down that is worthy of our best players playing on. Also I hope the county board soon realise Saturday nights dont work - very poor atmosphere and much smaller crowds. There was over 11,000 at the Kerry game with only around 4,000 there last night. There was never going to be as many at the Galway game but if it had been today you'd have possibly got close to twice the crowd that was there last night.
new pitch going into Omagh later this year
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on March 08, 2009, 06:00:14 PM
Any word on Stephen O'Neill or how serious his injury is? Will he be in contention for this one?
Was chatting to a Clann man last night and he reckons that he's not too far away from full fitness.
Had heard talk of that. Hopefully when they're doing it they do it right. Far too many county grounds have poor pitches. Its one area were investment is badly needed. Some of the money spent on stadiums that are too large should have went on putting at least one top quality pitch in every county. The Tyrone Dublin game in Croke Park was helped by Croke Parks excellent pitch and showed that you can have good football at this time of year.
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on March 08, 2009, 07:12:53 PM
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on March 08, 2009, 06:00:14 PM
Any word on Stephen O'Neill or how serious his injury is? Will he be in contention for this one?
Was chatting to a Clann man last night and he reckons that he's not too far away from full fitness.
Good news if right. Tyrone struggled badly up front last night.
its always good to see new lads getting a run out to see what they can do but Mickey will need to start thinking about getting a few points in the bag now and not be worrying about a relegation fight at the end of the league, we don't want to have to win in castlebar. more importantly he will soon want to start thinking about which players are going to start against Armagh and in which position.
Probably a bit early to be overly concerned about this yet
Is it this weekend McGugian gets married? Id like a to see a team something like this if the players are available:
Devine
Swift
Justy
PJ Quinn
McCarron
Gormley
Jordan
Cavanagh
McGinley
Joe McMahon
T McGuigan
Snowy O'Neill
Mulgrew
Stephen O'Neill
Mugsy
Cavanagh has been off the boil in the last few games and we've struggled round the middle, so if O'Neill was available the switch would make sense. Snowy deserves a chance. Wouldnt mind seeing Gareth Devlin in the league but the u21's play next week. Have picked Mulgrew ahead of McCullagh because think he deserves a go in decent conditions - he looks to have put on a bit of weight which might help him. Cathal McCarron is another player who deserves another chance in decent conditions and a rest wont do Harte any harm - he could actually perform a decent impact role from the bench.
Brian Mc Guigan gets married this weekend alright- very, very tough assignment for Tyrone in Mullingar.
Quote from: hardstation on March 08, 2009, 11:08:17 PM
Quote from: orangeman on March 08, 2009, 11:03:26 PM
Brian Mc Guigan gets married this weekend alright
Ah Jesus, will this bad luck ever end?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
She's a real nice girl - so best wishes to both of them.
Could do with a few key players returning for this one. A must win game in Mullingar. I'd like to see Jordan straight back in at 7 if he's back from his jollies, as well as big Joe back in if fit. Mugsy and Cassidy on from the start as well. Hopefully, the conditions will be much more conducive to the fast passing game we've become accustomed to. McCullagh's confidence has been dented over the last couple of games but he always looks for the ball which is great to see. Marty Penfold will surely never have a game like that again between now and the end of his days. He was so bad it was comical. However, Cavanagh and McGuigan both had misses that made we want to cry instead of laugh. Our forwards would've had difficuly scoring in the "Bunny Ranch" last Saturday night. I just want to consign that performance to history. A bad night.
Quote from: Mr. Nakata on March 10, 2009, 01:25:51 PM
I'd like to see Jordan straight back in at 7 if he's back from his jollies
His boss told me he's back with no broken bones.
What do we think the team will be tonight? Anyone heading Down? I'd go for...
1. JD
2. Marty Swift
3. Justy
4. PJ Quinn
5. Davy Harte
6. Conor Gormely
7. Phily Jordan
8. Enda Mc Ginley
9. Aiden Cassidy
10. Joe mc mahon
11. Colly mc cullagh
12. Tommy mc guigan
13. Mugsy
14. Sean cavanagh
15. Ray Mulgrew
Iv not included SoN as still not sure if he's match fit or none of the U-21s as I'd assume that they're not available, threw mulgrew in again as hopefully it'l be a lot firmer ground and better conditions!
Quote from: orangeman on March 08, 2009, 11:03:26 PM
very, very tough assignment for Tyrone in Mullingar.
I wish I could agree with that...
Westmeath aren't a patch on the team we were last year at the moment. Unless we get the majority of our injured players back soon I see us struggling to win one league game this year nevermind avoid relegation.
Team for sunday
Tyrone: J Curran, S O'Neill, J McMahon, M Swift, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, K Hughes, E McGinley, R Mulgrew, A Cassidy, O Mulligan, N Gormley, S Cavanagh, S O'Neill.
Thats Snowy not Stevie
would have liked to have seen Sean on the Hf line and Mugsy in FF
Quote from: tyronefan on March 12, 2009, 09:04:15 PM
Team for sunday
Tyrone: J Curran, S O'Neill, J McMahon, M Swift, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, K Hughes, E McGinley, R Mulgrew, A Cassidy, O Mulligan, N Gormley, S Cavanagh, S O'Neill.
Glad to see Mulgrew getting another run out, and Niall Gormley and Snowy too. Happy enough with that selection.
while its nice to win the league I think its better to get these young lads some game time and see what they can do in a county jersey
think im going to head down, many others going? does anyone know how long it would be from omagh to mullingar?
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 12, 2009, 10:29:45 PM
does anyone know how long it would be from omagh to mullingar?
About 2.5 hours og, check out AA Route Planner (http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/route.asp)
about 2 hrs
heading down myself
Did I read somewhere that there is a festival just Norf of Mullingar on Sunday so watch for that travellers.
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on March 12, 2009, 10:34:44 PM
Did I read somewhere that there is a festival just Norf of Mullingar on Sunday so watch for that travellers.
That'd be Longford for u, avoid at all costs...
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on March 12, 2009, 10:38:22 PM
That'd be Longford for u, avoid at all costs...
Sláinte C na h-É, shouldn't affect any of the Tyronies, the N3 will be as far across in the Longford direction that we'll need to go, the contingent in SW Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon & Longford excepting.
Quote from: tyronefan on March 12, 2009, 09:04:15 PM
Team for sunday
Tyrone: J Curran, S O'Neill, J McMahon, M Swift, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, K Hughes, E McGinley, R Mulgrew, A Cassidy, O Mulligan, N Gormley, S Cavanagh, S O'Neill.
Fairly adventurous this. O'Neill as corner back, Raymmie at 10, Cassidy at 11, Mugsy at 12, Niall and Snowy in the FF line - brilliant to see these experiments now. I'm of the theory that we know what our best 15 are come SFC time. Why not try out other ideas now.
Also, I think he knows we cannot play McCullagh and Mulgrew in the same side. Raymond seems lost (and perhaps rightly so) with playmakers such as Colm, McGuigan (x2) in the side. I just cannot see Mulgrew's starting position in a full strength side.
Quote from: ONeill on March 12, 2009, 11:03:57 PM
Also, I think he knows we cannot play McCullagh and Mulgrew in the same side. Raymond seems lost (and perhaps rightly so) with playmakers such as Colm, McGuigan (x2) in the side. I just cannot see Mulgrew's starting position in a full strength side.
I prefer to see Raymie in the half-forward line, so far.
Perhaps I'm being overly simplistic, but Mulgrew got an All Star nomination for his performances at Centre Half forward in 2007. In 2008, and to date in 2009, Mulgrew hasn't gotten the 11 jersey back. I can see what is trying to be achieved by the experimentation, - the thought of Mulgrew and Brian McGuigan operating at full capacity in the same team is mouth watering but Mulgrew isn't a man for the wings. The thing is, that for all his ability and potential, he is in danger of becoming an enigma.
I remember Mickey waxing lyrically about him in the Wellie Park in '07. I think McCullagh stepped on his toes in 08 in terms of Colm's new-found role from corner forward to play-maker.
McCullagh's improvement from 06 has been immense. His performance v Dublin 08 will live long.
MH must be feelin quietly confident about this one.. We were flyin last year and then came up short against Westmeath who basically beat us at our own game in Clones...
Great choices by the maestro, my worry after 3 games of the national league is that too much was going through Mc Cullagh creating an unavoidable onedimensionalisation of Tyrones football. Too slow too planned too deliberate and brings with it the heightened risk of stopability. Lets bang in ball all day I say. Let the finest fullforward of last year do the damage.
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on March 12, 2009, 10:43:35 PM
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on March 12, 2009, 10:38:22 PM
That'd be Longford for u, avoid at all costs...
Sláinte C na h-É, shouldn't affect any of the Tyronies, the N3 will be as far across in the Longford direction that we'll need to go, the contingent in SW Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon & Longford excepting.
If coming the N55 from Cavan turn left not too far out the road for Finea/Castlepollard for a scenic drive. You'll avoid Granard & Edgeworthstown plus the scenery is worth it if you've time to take it all in...
Would going by Castlepollard add any time to your journey or would it be shorter that going by Granard/ Edgeworthstown? What the road by Castlepollard like? Many Tyrone ones here going down?
Quote from: snappiered on March 13, 2009, 10:07:54 AM
Would going by Castlepollard add any time to your journey or would it be shorter that going by Granard/ Edgeworthstown?
2 minutes longer according to my SatNav. The actual distance is shorter but its a very bendy road. I hate travelling it.
Good to see O'Neill finally getting his chance at ff. I hear he bagged a few goals in the Ulster League at the weekend, hopefully he can reproduce this years form at the top level now.
Lynam makes Westmeath debut
Westmeath's Kieran Gavin
13 March 2009
St. Loman's Conor Lynam will make his first start for Westmeath in Sunday's NFL meeting with All-Ireland champions Tyrone at Cusack Park.
The teenager replaced Enda Leonard during the first half of last Sunday's defeat to Mayo, and retains his place in a much-changed side which is again notable for the absence of a host of injured regulars, including Dessie Dolan and Martin Flanagan.
Moate's Alan Claffey takes over at right corner back with Francis Boyle now at wing back and Michael Ennis pushing forward to number 10. Paul Bannon also comes into the half forward line with Enda Leonard and Paul Kelly both making way.
There are also two alterations in the full forward line which see Francis 'Brolly' Spollen and Conor Lynam replacing Kieran Martin and Thomas McDaniel.
Westmeath (SF v Tyrone): G Connaughton; A Claffey, K Gavin, J Keane; F Boyle, D Heavin, D Harte; D Duffy, N Kilcoyne; M Ennis, P Bannon, C Reilly; F Spollen, D Glennon, C Lynam.
Interesting team, good to see O'Flaherta is trying out more options and giving more young lads a run what with our injury list. Will be traveling to see how Boyle, Natchie, Claffey, Kilcoyne, Spollen & Lynam get on against the AI Champions. Delighted to see Francie given a choice at wing back, really comfortable on the ball, able to take a score and probably our best chance of replacing Heals. Natchie hasn't been in the forwards for a few years but hopefully it doesn't take him long to get in the groove. Didn't get to see Claffey against Derry but he looked the part in the O'Byrne Cup, Sun should be a good indicator on whether he can cut it or not. Another level for Kilcoyne, hope he's prepared to get dirty in amongst the bodies. Spollen has looked good in parts, will see what himself and Lynam can offer from the start.
A performance full of heart required, will be happy if we get that
What is the other sean O'Neill lad like?
Could he push for one of the corner back positions?
Would be strange having 3 S.O'Neills on the team alright.
This game is very low key altogether
Any word on stevie o'neill? Still too early?
Quote from: Fuzzman on March 13, 2009, 01:44:48 PM
What is the other sean O'Neill lad like?
Could he push for one of the corner back positions?
Would be strange having 3 S.O'Neills on the team alright.
This game is very low key altogether
Sean O'Neill the defender is a very good player in my opinion. Has pace, power and is very good on the ball. Not sure about corner back at intercounty level although by all accounts he performed well for St Marys at full back, perhaps would be more suited to a half back role and its very possible thats why Mickey has picked him for this game - to push forward and try and exploit westmeaths tendancy to full forwrds back packing the defence.
The last time the teams met in Mullingar it was a cracking game. Looking forward to this more than the Galway game partly because its a Sunday afternoon. Think it gives a deccent day so the conditions should be much better than last time. The number of changes Harte is making from game to game indicates he isnt too concerned with results but think he will expect and want a result tomorrow. Its going to be interesting to see the way the forward line actually lines out. I wouldnt be suprised if Cavanagh and Cassidy switch. Its a big day for the O'Neills,Mulgrew,Cassidy and N Gormley. If they have serious ambitions of getting game time later in the year they must produce now. Snowy has potential and hopefully for the first time he shows it at county level tomorrow.
Would also like to see a big game from Hub in the middle tomorrow, we've struggled their in the last couple of games. Would like to see him do things simply when on the ball and avoid taking long distance shots. If he's in good shape and sticks to that he could be in contention to start in the middle going forward.
Good entertaining game! What about Gormley appearing at full forward to set up the goal and shooting with his left aswell :o :o :)
Quote from: Carmen Stateside on March 15, 2009, 05:46:35 PM
Good entertaining game! What about Gormley appearing at full forward to set up the goal and shooting with his left aswell :o :o :)
Agree with you Carmen:
http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=11575.msg502942#msg502942
poor enough performance today, just haven't got the usual fluency but can't really complain considering that the teams having been changing quite dramatically the last number of games! Thought Davy Harte played v well, scored a couple of beauties and used the ball well all day, was roaring at hub wen he fluffed last minute shot but thank god it dropped into blocks hands, will we ever see a scrapier goal?!! Westmeath were really up for this game and made life really difficult particularly second half, ref seemed to give them everything in 1st half but evened things up with a few soft frees for us in the 2nd! Any word on what happened enda or why no cassidy?
Westmeath were definitely up for that today, but I don't know how their second goal was allowed, sure he handpassed it in. Davy Harte had a good game and Mulligan showed well for the ball, especially in the first half ...not good seeing Justy pull up with a hamstring injury, though. McCullough steadied the ship well when he came on
Just home from work and by all accounts tyrone where lucky to win. Atleast its points on the table for us.
Having watched the full 70 deferred coverage on TG4 not knowing the score, that was a very excting finish. Conor Gormly I thought for one moment had cost us the game. Didn't think he could possibly miss from there. What a fluke though after kicking it straight at the keeper it hits Colm Cavanagh and goes in. Superb. Thought Mulgrew very quiet in first half but showed well in the second. Would like to see the incident where he was surrounded by 3 men conceding the posession which led to their first goal. Looked like a foul to me. Justy injury a nightmare. Snowy and Niall Gormly had a tough assignment today. Those WM backs are very tigerish. Backs came out on top. When Sean O'Neill slotted one over from a 45 I felt like running around the house in a state of ecstacy. It's been a while since I've seen one. All in all, very glad of the points. Donegal away and Derry at home on this form, will be anything but easy.
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 06:10:09 PM
poor enough performance today, just haven't got the usual fluency but can't really complain considering that the teams having been changing quite dramatically the last number of games! Thought Davy Harte played v well, scored a couple of beauties and used the ball well all day, was roaring at hub wen he fluffed last minute shot but thank god it dropped into blocks hands, will we ever see a scrapier goal?!! Westmeath were really up for this game and made life really difficult particularly second half, ref seemed to give them everything in 1st half but evened things up with a few soft frees for us in the 2nd! Any word on what happened enda or why no cassidy?
Did you pay today or was it another freebie
Didn't get to see the game today, but was following it on the radio. Lucky to get away with it at the end of the day. Hopefully they can move away from the relegation zone next weekend too, against Donegal.
Quote from: gerry on March 15, 2009, 07:09:56 PM
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 06:10:09 PM
poor enough performance today, just haven't got the usual fluency but can't really complain considering that the teams having been changing quite dramatically the last number of games! Thought Davy Harte played v well, scored a couple of beauties and used the ball well all day, was roaring at hub wen he fluffed last minute shot but thank god it dropped into blocks hands, will we ever see a scrapier goal?!! Westmeath were really up for this game and made life really difficult particularly second half, ref seemed to give them everything in 1st half but evened things up with a few soft frees for us in the 2nd! Any word on what happened enda or why no cassidy?
Did you pay today or was it another freebie
Ha ha I did have to pay today! Was down visiting some1 in erne hospital and was able to slip away for 45 mins to see 2nd half! That game today was ten times better, I shared a similar experience mr nakata, honestly can't remember last time we scored a '45'!!
Quote from: red hander on March 15, 2009, 06:28:30 PM
Westmeath were definitely up for that today, but I don't know how their second goal was allowed, sure he handpassed it in.
Perfectly good goal. Ennis never had full possession of the ball so was well entitled to palm it in. Exciting game, much improved from a Westmeath point of view. Glennons goal was outstanding.
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 07:22:29 PM
Quote from: gerry on March 15, 2009, 07:09:56 PM
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 06:10:09 PM
poor enough performance today, just haven't got the usual fluency but can't really complain considering that the teams having been changing quite dramatically the last number of games! Thought Davy Harte played v well, scored a couple of beauties and used the ball well all day, was roaring at hub wen he fluffed last minute shot but thank god it dropped into blocks hands, will we ever see a scrapier goal?!! Westmeath were really up for this game and made life really difficult particularly second half, ref seemed to give them everything in 1st half but evened things up with a few soft frees for us in the 2nd! Any word on what happened enda or why no cassidy?
Did you pay today or was it another freebie
Ha ha I did have to pay today! Was down visiting some1 in erne hospital and was able to slip away for 45 mins to see 2nd half! That game today was ten times better, I shared a similar experience mr nakata, honestly can't remember last time we scored a '45'!!
Just think if the feckers had not nicked our hospital you would have missed that game
I thing sometimes we forget what the legend 'AI Champions' means - every side is 'up' for it when they meet you.
We were somewhat fortunate today in terms of nicking the goal at the end, but I don't think Tyrone deserved to lose either. Snowy showed well in the first half and offered much more of a threat than Niall Gormley who is struggling to provide a reason for starting him come the summer. Mugsy saw a good bit of ball around the middle third but is sometimes a bit laboured when he has to bend over to pick the thing up! How many players have we now that can play that withdrawn play-making role - Brian McGuigan, McCullagh, Penrose, Mulgrew, now Mugsy, Joe McMahon.... - all with varying degrees of proficiency. That's not a bad thing - plenty of options from half-back to half-forward if they decide to keep this yellow card ruling. Mulgrew showed nice touches in the second half but is still not doing enough consistently to nail down a starting berth. I thought he could have been used to play in front of Glennon as it was a one-man show at times. McCullagh is definitely a ship steadier against teams like WMeath, he can hold on to possession and pick his passes without much opposition.
Hub was also heavily involved at times and now and again shows us what he can offer as a midfield partner for McGinley. I think I'd prefer him to Holmes. Harte had another satisfactory outing and Jordan's getting there. I thought O'Neill at the back was ok. I'm still not won over by Swift. Justin is a big loss but if Joe can return in his place that's that solved.
Donegal, Derry and Mayo left. One win guarantees survival. To win all three and threaten a league final place will need the losers of Galway/Kerry to probably lose their other 2 as well. Division one is a great place to prepare for the Championship.
Tyrones never-sa- die attitude wins the day again as it almost did v Kerry. Colm Cav will be well fecked off that TG4 gave the goal to Kevin Hughes! wtf?
MH playin a masterstroke of a league campaign. Continuously trying different formations while being there or thereabouts on 70 mins in every game.
Go Yoda!
Tyrone keep at it and don't give up. Bizare goal but they kept at it ,sign of a good team ,whats the story with all the injuries will they all be back for the Armagh game ?
UTV Sports News think that Tyrone were beaten today.
Thats what they reported !
Quote from: Gaffer on March 15, 2009, 08:38:21 PM
UTV Sports News think that Tyrone were beaten today.
Thats what they reported !
quality reporting all round today... according to the BBC we were playing the 'bottom club' westmeath and niall gormley must have stole blocks jersey!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7940950.stm
Quote from: gerry on March 15, 2009, 07:32:00 PM
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 07:22:29 PM
Quote from: gerry on March 15, 2009, 07:09:56 PM
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 06:10:09 PM
poor enough performance today, just haven't got the usual fluency but can't really complain considering that the teams having been changing quite dramatically the last number of games! Thought Davy Harte played v well, scored a couple of beauties and used the ball well all day, was roaring at hub wen he fluffed last minute shot but thank god it dropped into blocks hands, will we ever see a scrapier goal?!! Westmeath were really up for this game and made life really difficult particularly second half, ref seemed to give them everything in 1st half but evened things up with a few soft frees for us in the 2nd! Any word on what happened enda or why no cassidy?
Did you pay today or was it another freebie
Ha ha I did have to pay today! Was down visiting some1 in erne hospital and was able to slip away for 45 mins to see 2nd half! That game today was ten times better, I shared a similar experience mr nakata, honestly can't remember last time we scored a '45'!!
Just think if the feckers had not nicked our hospital you would have missed that game
thank god they did for my lifes so much better after watching 13 defenders play against eachother and more rucks and mauls than were on display in murrayfield yesterday! :D
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 15, 2009, 09:27:45 PM
Quote from: Gaffer on March 15, 2009, 08:38:21 PM
UTV Sports News think that Tyrone were beaten today.
Thats what they reported !
quality reporting all round today... according to the BBC we were playing the 'bottom club' westmeath and niall gormley must have stole blocks jersey!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7940950.stm
The BBC definitely give us a chuckle every week. In that report 'Denis' Glennon grows not only another 'n' but ends up 'Dennnis' Glennon by the end!
Another far from convincing performance by Tyrone today in Mullingar but at least the desire was there in those closing few minutes to somehow snatch a victory over a determined if somewhat unlucky home team. Considering the games Tyrone have left, this was a hugely significant result for the Red Hands. A defeat today (which looked very likely at one stage) would have left us in serious trouble. We are still not out of the danger zone just yet but a win in Ballybofey next Saturday night would virtually secure our division one status and remove a lot of pressure going into the final two games at home to Derry and away to Mayo.
Many people pointed to the dreadful conditions in Omagh the week previous for Tyrone's below par display against Galway but it worries me slightly that we struggled for long periods today against a severely weakened Westmeath team in what was a near perfect day for football. Injuries to Enda McGinley and Justy McMahon certainly did not help our cause but to concede 2-10 was most disappointing. It was interesting to hear Sean being interviewed on RTE radio on our way home after the match that the team is currently doing a lot of heavy work at training, which may explain the lack of sharpness and fluency at the moment. I suppose it is fair to say, too, that the number of changes to the team may be slightly unsettling. On current form, victory over an out of sorts Donegal is far from guaranteed while Derry must be licking their lips at the prospect of coming to Healy Park in a fortnight.
It is worth remembering that only a few weeks ago we were all basking in the glory of another Croke Park triumph over Dublin and the talk, among players and supporters alike, was of achieving National League success. Now, we will just be relieved to keep our place in Division One. Dublin's displays since the league opener should perhaps make us re-evaluate our own performance that night. We have not been playing all that well in this season's league and, as O'Neill rightly pointed out to me after the Galway game, there is no one at the moment on the fringes of the team who have really staked a claim for a place come championship time. Swift is a tidy footballer, comfortable on the ball and good going forward, but there are still doubts when it comes to his defensive duties. Snowy O'Neill played well in the first half today but, along with the likes of Mulgrew and Niall Gormley, must do more before we can count on them come championship time.
Another thing, I don't like to see Mugsy playing that deep roving role. He spent far too much time in his own defence today (was that his marker who scored Westmeath's second goal?) and he is better served close to the opposition's goal where he poses far more of a threat. Keep him in the full forward line - we need more ball winners in that sector. The return in the coming weeks of Brian McGuigan and Stevie O'Neill will hopefully see Mugsy returned to his strongest position.
On the plus side today, Sean O'Neill had a very good game in defence. Scored two terrific points and always looked assured. I even saw him barking out orders at one stage to more experienced players like Mulligan which suggests he does not feel out of place in the county set-up! It was also good to see a healthy turn out of Tyrone supporters make the trip to Mullingar for this match. When Colm Cavanagh nabbed that winning goal, at least two thirds of the people in the stand rose to their feet to acclaim the score!
This is what we should have done to Cavanagh!
Iraqi fan shoots player as he goes for goal
16/03/2009 - 13:24:25
An Iraqi football player was shot dead by a rival fan as he was about to score an equaliser.
The striker from the Buhairat amateur team had only the goalkeeper to beat in the match yesterday near Baghdad when a supporter of the rival Sinjar club shot him in the head in the final minute of play.
Sinjar were leading 1-0 when the shooting occurred. Police said a spectator was arrested.
More Iraqis are turning out for sports events now that security is improving. Major matches in Baghdad are heavily guarded but security in amateur games in smaller cities is often lax.
I think Tomás summed it up well for every Westmeath supporter. Disappointing but encouraging.
I thought it was a great second half of football and try as he might the referee didn't even manage to ruin it. He made some bizarre decisions all through and I was more than a little annoyed at the couple of frees Tyrone got towards the end before they nicked the goal. Swings and roundabouts though I suppose and as another poster has mentioned Westmeath did get a couple of dubious frees earlier on in the game.
John Keane will be kicking himself for that dropped ball, probably the only mistake he made all game.
Greatly encouraged by the performances of Conrad Reilly, Conor Lynam and Kilcoyne - Kilcoyne in particular looks like a real prospect with plenty of footballing ability. I can't recall him putting a pass astray all match and his two points were superb. He saw some amount of ball.
I think Glennon had his best game since '04, when he's in that sort of form he's unmarkable, long may it continue.
It would be great if Claffey could improve a bit, because if he was a real option at corner back Ennis could be deployed in the half forward line permanently. Francis Boyle did very well at half back, always thought the position would suit him. Loads of energy and a right tough bit of stuff.
Although victories over Dublin and Donegal may be possible it looks like we're doomed to relegation at this stage, disappointing really considering yesterday's performance because as O'Neill said, Division 1 is a great place to prepare for the championship.
QuoteAn Iraqi football player was shot dead by a rival fan as he was about to score an equaliser.
The striker from the Buhairat amateur team had only the goalkeeper to beat in the match yesterday near Baghdad when a supporter of the rival Sinjar club shot him in the head in the final minute of play.
That nice sensitive article was obviously written by the sports reporter at the ground! ::)
Someone would want to show Derek Fahy how to count to 4 as that's the amount of steps you're allowed to fecking take. I'd say Keiran Gavin is still baffled at the decision given against him. TG4 missed the incident in it's entirety, never mind not show the replay. Doran Harte was even less enamored seconds later. >:( 2 points would have been a real pick me up and we wouldn't have Mission Impossible in front of us now. Anyways enough of the negatives, the was plenty of positives from a WH perspective.
Glennon was on fire, 2 of the best defenders around, McMahon & Gormley, couldn't live with him. When Dessie comes back I'd stick the two of them in the full forward line, they'd keep most defences occupied. Kilcoyne looks a real find, certainly got the aul lads athleticism. He's well able to take points from distance, which is something we've been crying out for. When Flan or O'Donoghue come back I'd try him in the half forwards to see how he gets on. Francie, as stated, did well at wing half back, looks an ideal replacement for Heals. It may be too soon for Claffey as Shaun O'Neill was going well until JK was switched over onto him and just shut him down. I wonder could Doran Harte do a job in the corner as he's the kind of tigerish fella u need in there.
Natchie did ok in the half forwards, kept Jordan on his toes all game. He can certainly do a job up there but I'd imagine it will depend on the injury situation if he remains there or not. Impressed by Lynam, for a lad just out of minor he certainly didn't look out of place. Reilly fooled Gormley with an outrageous dummy before taking a lovely point but like Claffey it may just be too soon for him... Duffy caught some ball in the second half but his passing as well as his shooting really needs to improve, else he'll end up like Hughes. Speaking of whom, the push he got in the last min did him some favour but them's the breaks. Don't think it was a square ball either.
If I was Tomás, I'd put all my efforts this week into getting the U21s right for Saturday. Bad enough Westmeath have four league games away from home but HQ feel the need to shaft us even more by rescheduling the U21 game from Paddys to the day before a senior game the other end of the country. A few of these lads have the Leaving coming up, which is assuming greater importance in the grand scheme of things as the days roll by. The Kingdom, IMO, are the best footballing side in the country and getting a result down there has to take second place to the U21s Leinster Semi-Final in the Dubs backyard.
Still, after yesterday's showing the mornings aren't as bleak anymore, get the injured lads back & fit and we'll be there or thereabouts in Leinster. Pity Shaugho won't make it back, probably never see him again in a WH jersey, definition of toughness...