Messages

OSE14 never under estimate Eoin McCusker.  He's still guaranteed to come away as the highest scorer for Dromore in any game.  Big game player.  He's a class act.  His goal v Ardbo will probably be the best goal of the championship.  I'm not saying Dromore will beat Omagh,  just believe McCusker can never be under estimated.  He has the ability to win the majority of Dromore's games on his own.

Some weekend ahead.  Cant wait for it.  Some quality games on the horizon.  Wins for Omagh, Trillick, Strabane, Moy, Clonoe and Killyclogher.  Tyrone Club Championship has to be the most contested Championship in Ulster!! Credit to all the clubs.

Big games this weekend.  All the Carmen, Omagh, Clonoe, Errigal, KClogher and Cisland posters are very quiet.  Hard to believe 3 big hitters will be out of the championship by the end of the week. 

Did Ardbo not win a minor championship 5 or 6 years ago beating Omagh in the County Final?  Where are those players?  Surely they should be forming the back bone of their senior team now.  I think Gavin Devlin managed that minor team from memory.

And I would assume the Kyle Coney, Shay McGuigan, Gavin Teague, Michael OHagan are all only about 24 years of age.  Apart from maybe their keeper, Brian McGuigan and Tommy McGuigan at least 70% of that Ardbo team are under 25 years of age.  A fairly young side.

Its looking like a Greencastle win on Sunday against Eglish going on league form at the weekend.  Poor result for Errigal the fortnight before the championship game.  I wonder if Errigal hand many players missing?  Errigal will have it tight against Killyclogher.  The Dromore and Ardbo game seems a little harder to call.  Still of the opinion that Ardbo could overcome Dromore, the former Ballinderry manager will bring a new edge to Ardbo which could get them over the line this time.  The weekend should also see wins for Cookstown, Pomeroy and Derrylaughan.   

On reading your post again OSE14 I think you'd be a little biased - I would assume you still would have all the existing Omagh fellas on the first 15

Justy McMahon, Clarke, Meyler, Tierney, Grugan, O'Neill and possibly Big Joe? The best player Omagh has never gets a mention, Jason McAnulla.

Daniel McNulty could be a new target man option. Good with frees as well.  Richard Donnelly another viable choice. .  .  .  .  . .OSE14 - I just wouldnt limit myself to those 7 players you named.  Keep all options open.  Is Niall Sludden on the Tyrone Squad?  He is worth a shot. Lee Brennan another very capable player that could be worked with.  Kyle Coney could also be another viable proposition if he sticks with it. Ciaran McGinley another.  There is plenty of options available OSE14. 

Ronan O'Neill must be the most bashed footballer on this forum.  I hope he doesn't be reading it as it wouldn't do much for his confidence!  I think we all should lay off naming and thrashing players to be honest.  Amateur Sport.

Yes - Peter Harte misses out the first Championship Game from what I can make out from the rules.  This would sway me to a Killyclogher win!!

OSE14 - Omagh v Ardboe Quarter Final will be a fiesty one to say the least.  Looking forward to that game. 

We arent a million miles off TCM to be honest.  Yes a little variety is good,  Kerry are good at changing, adopting, moulding and reinventing themselves for each opposition they meet.  Though alot of that depends on the personnel you have at your disposal. Only 1 score seperated the sides on Sunday against the 2014 All Ireland Finalists and the 2012 All Ireland Champions.  We have good options.  .  .  .   .  .NICRO - Not sure about Kyle C but I was under the impression that he left the set up as he wasnt getting regular football.  He is an excellent free taker,  something Tyrone are lacking at the moment.  Regarding J Laverty -  I cant comment as I wouldnt have seen enough of him at club or county level. 

TCM - I'm supportive of your point -  You can refer back to a post I made after the Tyrone Donegal league game regarding a tactic that Tyrone should adopt.  If they have a skilful, tall, strong full forward it could reap rewards especially against the blanket defence situation.  A swift counter attack coming down the wings and launching a high diagional ball into the scoring zone would test any full back,  but in particular Donegals Full Back Line.  The problem being Tyrone needs Sean Cavanagh and Mattie doing the hard work in the middle third. Catch 22.  As I say, we lack 1 spearhead forward.  Daniel McNulty might be the makings of one.  Maybe if Conor Clarke, Joe McMahon, Cathal McShane gets some more game time it could free up Sean C or Mattie D to take up a new role.  Would also like to see Richard Donnelly get some game time in the qualifiers.  Pity that fella Kyle Coney didnt stick with it,  he might have been able to present another option.  He seemed to pull the plug very early in the year when in actual fact he was on the starting team.

To be honest TCM and in Mickey's defence he showed great confidence and trust in giving our U21 Cathal McShane (MOM in All Ireland U21 final) that role in the game.  On watching Cathal's super U21 performances and most likely his training he probably warranted his position.  We talk about giving the young lads their chance to mature and no doubt Cathal would have learned alot from the game on Sunday.  I certainly wouldnt be knocking Mickey or for making this bold decision nor pour negativity on our youth.  Its a decision that can go either way.  I can refer you back to Davy Fitz's decision in 2013 All Ireland Hurling Final when Clare U21 Shane O'Donnell replaced Honan hours before the game.  Tyrone are maybe lacking one killer spearhead forward ( Sean Cavanagh cant play in every position).  I certainly wouldnt go knocking Mickey on that decision!  Cathal's performance could have went either way,  but he will have learned a great deal from Sunday and I'm certain this will be invaluable come the qualifers.  Tyrone has a great opportunity now.  They can introduce their U21's during the qualifiers and make a good run on the AI series from here.  I think they are in a good position given the performance on Sunday past. 

[Eglish]

Greencastle v Eglish
Dromore v Ardboe
Omagh v Carrickmore
Dungannon v Trillick
Moy v Donaghmore
Clonoe v Coalisland
Strabane v Augher
Errigal Ciaran v Killyclogher

Winners in Bold.  Its going to be a tough championship this year!  Going with a few big calls to provoke a backlash,  Killyclogher to pip Errigal Ciaran,  Ardboe to get over Dromore, Carmen to beat Omagh and Clonoe to go the whole road 2015.  There is an easier side to the draw which could see Trillick or the Moy reach a county semi final or even County Final.  Here's to a great championship start.