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[Maybe there'd be some argument in this if the fixtures weren't so messed up over the summer anyway meaning players are more likely to go away anyway and possibly even be back for the championship]

Maybe there'd be some argument in this if the fixtures weren't so messed up over the summer anyway meaning players are more likely to go away anyway and possibly even be back for the championship. I can see both sides of the argument. Though there definitely is more interest in the 1st round games when they're played earlier in the year. Crowds are better and generally there is a chance of half decent weather.

Either way the leagues must run much smoother this year. I'd also like to see more club games from June to August even if it is another competition. Just something to keep the players interested. Don't see why the u21 championship couldn't be played in the summer too. You might miss a few Tyrone panelists but you miss far more players come November when university is on.

Eh? The past two seasons we had 12 of our league games played by the 10 July, with the 1st round of the championship in the last week of July. Can you explain to me how that is messed up?

A better chance of decent weather for the first round. FFS its had been played in the last week of July the past two seasons, thats the best weather your going to get.

There was plenty of games played by July again last year but don't think the rest of the season ran as smoothly. Getting the rest of the league played seemed to drag on with a lot of clubs having no football for a lot of weeks. This included the reserve teams meaning to a lot of teams not having enough players later in the year. Some clubs even stopped training from memory. I think more regular games are needed and the leagues finished quicker. Especially the reserves which could be played away - there's no reason the league fixtures couldn't be set in stone and kept to for it.

I was thinking the championship started September but it did get going in late July/August. However, this was only as a result of Tyrone being knocked out early. If they go well it could easily be September before it gets going. I personally think there's more interest in it when it starts earlier in the year (similar to the league games which seem to be better attended in spring) and before Tyrone get knocked out. I believe that this is the reason for the county board wanting it earlier as attendances were better. April/May is a more attractive time for football than September/October in my opinion. Though I can see the other side of the argument and understand being knocked out early is bad for morale and keeping players.

Does anyone have any insight into when the powers that be are planning to start the club leagues this year? Have there been any meetings on the issue? Is the championship going to be held back like in previous 2 years?

I would like to think that the format of the club championship remains exactly as iy is, it perfec. It is also the preferred format of many Ulster counties, because it is designed to ensure league football is meaningful with 90% of league games played prior to the championship, your student  and young players do not leave and go abroad also ensuring your club players are developing due to proper league games, it also creates a club championship period that we call all identify and finally the format really prepares the championship winner for the Ulster club

Maybe there'd be some argument in this if the fixtures weren't so messed up over the summer anyway meaning players are more likely to go away anyway and possibly even be back for the championship. I can see both sides of the argument. Though there definitely is more interest in the 1st round games when they're played earlier in the year. Crowds are better and generally there is a chance of half decent weather.

Either way the leagues must run much smoother this year. I'd also like to see more club games from June to August even if it is another competition. Just something to keep the players interested. Don't see why the u21 championship couldn't be played in the summer too. You might miss a few Tyrone panelists but you miss far more players come November when university is on.

Tyrone won comfortably enough today. Like most McKenna Cup games there was negatives and positives. My biggest concern is that some of our biggest problems in recent years still seem evident. We can't win clean ball in midfield but we never could. However we currently are really struggling to win the breaking ball in this area. Our half forwards and half backs really seem to struggle to get in the right position and don't put their bodies on the line. We really miss the likes of Dooher, McGinley and Jordan for this. I also still think we really need another strong tight marking tough player in the full back line. The other big thing that has to be sorted this year is the free taking (wasn't too many today). Harte may be prepared to carry Morgan for the long range one's - he scored a 50 easily today. So far Cavanagh and O'Neill have been the preferred options for the closer one's, though both can be unpredictable.

In defence today McNamee hit a couple of great points and looked decent going forward though he did give a couple away. Warnock had an ok debut. Gormley struggled early before injury. McRory was decent enough. Would like another look at McNally.

Thought Cavanagh was very good in open play particularly in the first half. Worked extremely hard and is a huge addition this year if stays fit. Who knows how the Donegal game would have went last year if he and a few of the other injured players had been fit. Thought Kane also played well going forward and was an impressive debut. However, the pairing wouldn't work come championship. Kane I'd imagine would have a better chance in the half forward line at this level.

In the forwards nothing went right at all for McAliskey today and he looked fustrated. O'Neill showed well though certainly doesn't have the scoring threat he once had. The two half forwards were very quiet. Harte was good and got the goals, not often you see someone blocking an attempted clearance into the net. McCurry was excellent - if he gets space at all he's great at getting the score. Hard to know how'd he'd cope with Donegal in championship at this stage but with a bit of bulking up could be a serious forward over next few years.

Meant to say the only player on the team who looked capable of picking up breaking ball was Lafferty when he came on. Performed well after being wasteful last week. Maybe he'll get a go further out the pitch on Wednesday night. Wonder will Harte play most of the new players on Wednesday given that Jordanstown have been weak.

If I was to pick a championship team now and it could change significantly come championship it would look something like this:
McConnell (though if Morgan proves himself in league could be hard to ignore his scoring ability given our lack of long range free takers)
McRory
Justy (if can ever get him fit)
Carlin
McNamee
Gormley
Clarke
Joe McMahon
Sean Cavanagh
Colm Cavanagh
Harte
Penrose
Coney
O'Neill
Ronan O'Neill/McCurry/Mattie Donnelly depending on how prove themselves in league.

Tyrone won comfortably enough today. Like most McKenna Cup games there was negatives and positives. My biggest concern is that some of our biggest problems in recent years still seem evident. We can't win clean ball in midfield but we never could. However we currently are really struggling to win the breaking ball in this area. Our half forwards and half backs really seem to struggle to get in the right position and don't put their bodies on the line. We really miss the likes of Dooher, McGinley and Jordan for this. I also still think we really need another strong tight marking tough player in the full back line. The other big thing that has to be sorted this year is the free taking (wasn't too many today). Harte may be prepared to carry Morgan for the long range one's - he scored a 50 easily today. So far Cavanagh and O'Neill have been the preferred options for the closer one's, though both can be unpredictable.

In defence today McNamee hit a couple of great points and looked decent going forward though he did give a couple away. Warnock had an ok debut. Gormley struggled early before injury. McRory was decent enough. Would like another look at McNally.

Thought Cavanagh was very good in open play particularly in the first half. Worked extremely hard and is a huge addition this year if stays fit. Who knows how the Donegal game would have went last year if he and a few of the other injured players had been fit. Thought Kane also played well going forward and was an impressive debut. However, the pairing wouldn't work come championship. Kane I'd imagine would have a better chance in the half forward line at this level.

In the forwards nothing went right at all for McAliskey today and he looked fustrated. O'Neill showed well though certainly doesn't have the scoring threat he once had. The two half forwards were very quiet. Harte was good and got the goals, not often you see someone blocking an attempted clearance into the net. McCurry was excellent - if he gets space at all he's great at getting the score. Hard to know how'd he'd cope with Donegal in championship at this stage but with a bit of bulking up could be a serious forward over next few years.

another classic................................ watch and enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDY0ggF8bPw     

Surely he could get in trouble or a lot of hassle from the media for what he said in the last minute of that video? He basically said god help the ira if the violence started again. That the last time they sat back and took it until they had enough and fought back. They ira then run scared and ardoyne was empty as people had to move out as the republicans ran scared. Mad stuff.

Have Donegal any chance tomorrow night? I'm sure the players will be pushing to make the panel for the year but you'd have to guess they'd lack the quality.

This appears to be partly a reaction from McGuiness of not having so many college players available last year. Just thought those people who were so worried about protecting the competition and its rules would be concerned about Donegal fielding a complete development squad. This will no reduce crowds and the interest in the games. It could be argued that McGuiness's reaction to not having his college players available is doing more harm to the competition than Harte's.

Its strange given all the complaints about Mickey Harte ruining the McKenna Cup by denying university their players that no one has complained about Donegal naming a development squad with very few players from last year involved. Would this not be doing the McKenna Cup more harm than Harte's policy? The All Ireland champions would be a big draw in the competition normally.

Frazer must be the most hypocritical person in Ireland. Champions himself as a victims campaigner on the one hand and on the other stands hand and hand with loyalist paramilitaries and says he can understand why there'd be trouble over the flag. The media could have some craic with him if they wanted to. He can't be wise in the head!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/20928252

In two parts of the bbc match report it seems to say that Cavanagh came on as a sub to win the game for Tyrone. Great reporting.

It was ridiculous that just Harte was booked from the incident. I'm not sure if he reacted but he was taken to the ground by a headlock as he tried to make a run as Tyrone were on the attack. Bradley had a bit of a go at Gormley near the end to, Gormley didn't even appear to do to much to get a reaction.

Decent win today. As usual at this time of year there were mixed passages of play. Thought we were very poor around midfield and Clarke particularly struggled to compete. McBride had a good first half but looked a bit confused as to his role in the second. Tyrone looked in trouble until McAliskey got his goal - hopefully he can translate his club scoring to county level. Gallager was quiet but came into it at the end and got a nice point. Carlin was very good and Tierney did ok to.

Tyrone team for Sunday
4 UUJ , 4 St Mary's , 1 Queens ?


1 – Niall Morgan – Éadan na dTorc                ST MARYS
2 – Dermot Carlin – Coill an Chlochair
3 – Conor Gormley – An Charraig Mhór
4 – Barry Tierney – An Omaigh                          UUJ
5 – Ryan McKenna – Eaglais                              UUJ
6 – Joe McMahon – An Omaigh
7 – Danny McBride – An Srath Ban                 ST MARYS
8 – Conor Clarke – An Omaigh                      ST MARYS
9 – Sean Cavanagh – An Mhaigh
10 – Kevin Gallagher – An Baile Nua
11 – Mark Donnelly – An Charraig Mhór
12 – Matthew Donnelly – Trí Leac                    UUJ
13 – Martin Penrose – An Charraig Mhór
14 – Stephen O'Neill – Clann na nGael
15 – Johnathan Lafferty – Urnaí
16 – Pascal McConnell – An Baile Nua
17 – Peter Harte – Aireagal Chiaráin                ST MARYS
18 – Plunkett Kane – Oileán a'Ghuail
19 – Conor McAlliskey – Cluain Eo                   UUJ
20 – Tiarnan McCann – Coill an Chlochair
21 – Cathal McCarron – An Droim Mór
22 – Darren McCurry – Éadan na dTorc     
23 – Dean McNally – Cill Dhreasa                           UUJ
24 – Ronan McNamee – Achadh Uí Aráin
25 – Patrick McNiece – Oileán a'Ghuail
26 – Sean Warnock – An Caisleán Glas                  QUB

Isn't it great to see so many young lads getting the chance to train and play alongside the likes of Gormley,Cavanagh,McMahon,Penrose and O'Neill. Will give them a taste of what its like to play at the highest level. Given the tough nature of division one can't see much experimenting by Tyrone at that stage so this is their chance to prove that they can fit into the Tyrone system and won't let the team down at this level.

Tyrone team for Sunday


1 – Niall Morgan – Éadan na dTorc

2 – Dermot Carlin – Coill an Chlochair

3 – Conor Gormley – An Charraig Mhór

4 – Barry Tierney – An Omaigh

5 – Ryan McKenna – Eaglais

6 – Joe McMahon – An Omaigh

7 – Danny McBride – An Srath Ban

8 – Conor Clarke – An Omaigh

9 – Sean Cavanagh – An Mhaigh

10 – Kevin Gallagher – An Baile Nua

11 – Mark Donnelly – An Charraig Mhór

12 – Matthew Donnelly – Trí Leac

13 – Martin Penrose – An Charraig Mhór

14 – Stephen O'Neill – Clann na nGael

15 – Johnathan Lafferty – Urnaí

16 – Pascal McConnell – An Baile Nua

17 – Peter Harte – Aireagal Chiaráin

18 – Plunkett Kane – Oileán a'Ghuail

19 – Conor McAlliskey – Cluain Eo

20 – Tiarnan McCann – Coill an Chlochair

21 – Cathal McCarron – An Droim Mór

22 – Darren McCurry – Éadan na dTorc

23 – Dean McNally – Cill Dhreasa

24 – Ronan McNamee – Achadh Uí Aráin

25 – Patrick McNiece – Oileán a'Ghuail

26 – Sean Warnock – An Caisleán Glas

Decent enough team for this time of year. It'll be interesting to see how Tierney,McKenna,McBride and Gallagher get on. Also Clarke in midfield. I'd maybe have liked to see something different in the full back line. We have struggled there in recent years and Carlin is unlikely to start there. Harte is obviously out to add mobility around the middle 8 so the new players here will have to work hard to prove their worth. Will O'Neill be captain for the year?