Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[Il Bomber Destro]

What's the expectations for the u21s this year?

We haven't pulled any trees at minor level in the past 3 years. One win against Down back in 2014 and three defeats to Monaghan, Donegal and Derry. Apart from Brennan, Mulgrew and McKernan there wouldn't be too many players there who would be weighted in expectation for the future as well, that I know of anyway.

On the plus side we have a good management side in place and they will have had full access to the whole panel in preparation to the build up in comparison to Donegal say who will have had a lot of players involved with seniors and who have picked up injuries as well.

Could well turn out to be a very good side but a lot of them would be unknown of players as of yet in comparison to previous U21 sides.

[Bring back club football]

What's the expectations for the u21s this year?

We haven't pulled any trees at minor level in the past 3 years. One win against Down back in 2014 and three defeats to Monaghan, Donegal and Derry. Apart from Brennan, Mulgrew and McKernan there wouldn't be too many players there who would be weighted in expectation for the future as well, that I know of anyway.

On the plus side we have a good management side in place and they will have had full access to the whole panel in preparation to the build up in comparison to Donegal say who will have had a lot of players involved with seniors and who have picked up injuries as well.

Could well turn out to be a very good side but a lot of them would be unknown of players as of yet in comparison to previous U21 sides.

Surely they should be winning this with all these great players and even better management

[BennyHarp]

Division 1 Cillian O'Connor, Mayo 1-22 (25)
Dean Rock, Dublin 0-25 (25)
Paul Geaney, Kerry 3-15 (24)
Ciarain Murtagh, Roscommon 2-8 (14)
Conor McManus, Monaghan 0-14 (14)
Michael Murphy, Donegal 1-10 (13)
Ciaran Thompson, Donegal 0-13 (13)
Seanie Johnston, Cavan 0-11 (11)

Top scorers so far, I think it's good that Tyrone have scorers from all over the field.

Couldn't disagree more. The above named players almost certainly GUARANTEE their teams regular scores per game. Tyrone have no reliable person who you can be confident will get you the scores needed to get over the line

Tyrone just don't have this type of player at the minute so it makes sense to have a game plan which spreads the scores. An over reliance on one man isn't a good thing. Look at Monaghans inability to get past the last 8 every year.

[RedHandTom]

What's the expectations for the u21s this year?

We haven't pulled any trees at minor level in the past 3 years. One win against Down back in 2014 and three defeats to Monaghan, Donegal and Derry. Apart from Brennan, Mulgrew and McKernan there wouldn't be too many players there who would be weighted in expectation for the future as well, that I know of anyway.

On the plus side we have a good management side in place and they will have had full access to the whole panel in preparation to the build up in comparison to Donegal say who will have had a lot of players involved with seniors and who have picked up injuries as well.

Could well turn out to be a very good side but a lot of them would be unknown of players as of yet in comparison to previous U21 sides.

I've seen the 21s a few times this year cos of nephew in the panel and I'd be impressed with the set up. We beat a lot of very good sides including Dublin, Cork, Down, Slaughtneil and Kildare. Make no mistake we're very well prepared for this game. Donegal should be equally strong but most definitely haven't been going as well. The reliable word is they've struggled to get players together and have half a dozen key men injured.
I don't really know what to expect but from what I've seen we are in a damn good position to win this one.

[oakleafgael]

What's the expectations for the u21s this year?

We haven't pulled any trees at minor level in the past 3 years. One win against Down back in 2014 and three defeats to Monaghan, Donegal and Derry. Apart from Brennan, Mulgrew and McKernan there wouldn't be too many players there who would be weighted in expectation for the future as well, that I know of anyway.

On the plus side we have a good management side in place and they will have had full access to the whole panel in preparation to the build up in comparison to Donegal say who will have had a lot of players involved with seniors and who have picked up injuries as well.

Could well turn out to be a very good side but a lot of them would be unknown of players as of yet in comparison to previous U21 sides.

I've seen the 21s a few times this year cos of nephew in the panel and I'd be impressed with the set up. We beat a lot of very good sides including Dublin, Cork, Down, Slaughtneil and Kildare. Make no mistake we're very well prepared for this game. Donegal should be equally strong but most definitely haven't been going as well. The reliable word is they've struggled to get players together and have half a dozen key men injured.
I don't really know what to expect but from what I've seen we are in a damn good position to win this one.

Not that it matters in the bigger scheme of things but they didn't beat Slaughtneil.

[RedHandTom]

I was at the Slaughtneil game. I thought we won by a couple of points no? It was a tight enough game. It was abandoned by the referee after 15mins after a melee. Ref had to be persuaded to come back.

[Fuzzman]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/red-hand-on-hunt-for-goals-with-donnelly-experiment-35528312.html

Are we changing our style? Are we hitting in more long balls the last few games?

[GetOverTheBar]

Think most people prefer Mattie Donnelly driving at opposition defence like we are used to - but this is a nice mix up in tactics, it's been obvious Tyrone are light up front (without Cavanagh) and maybe these two paired in the full forward line with a Mark Bradley playing just off them could cause chaos, certainly something they should give a go considering the year has went very well for Tyrone so far.

[omagh_gael]

This year has been going good, however, this isnt directly due to Sean and Mattie in FF. I am struggling to think one score that came from early, long ball into them. Would this be correct?

Now I'm not saying this should be abandoned as I think it's the right way to go. Maybe their presence is causing teams to focus more energy to cover them and allowing more space out the field.

[nrico2006]

I was at the Slaughtneil game. I thought we won by a couple of points no? It was a tight enough game. It was abandoned by the referee after 15mins after a melee. Ref had to be persuaded to come back.

I heard Tyrone u-21s beat Slaughtneil too.

[Redhand Santa]

This year has been going good, however, this isnt directly due to Sean and Mattie in FF. I am struggling to think one score that came from early, long ball into them. Would this be correct?

Now I'm not saying this should be abandoned as I think it's the right way to go. Maybe their presence is causing teams to focus more energy to cover them and allowing more space out the field.

Sunday was the first time it was tried with the two of them on so I think it'll need a bit more time to see how it works out. There is no way they'll both stay in there for full games but they can be moved in an out. On Sunday Mattie scored a point but I think he won another 3 frees which were scored. He needs to work on what he does when he gets the ball but he definitely got his hands on a lot more ball than some of our full forward line usually do.

[Il Bomber Destro]

This year has been going good, however, this isnt directly due to Sean and Mattie in FF. I am struggling to think one score that came from early, long ball into them. Would this be correct?

Now I'm not saying this should be abandoned as I think it's the right way to go. Maybe their presence is causing teams to focus more energy to cover them and allowing more space out the field.

Sunday was the first time it was tried with the two of them on so I think it'll need a bit more time to see how it works out. There is no way they'll both stay in there for full games but they can be moved in an out. On Sunday Mattie scored a point but I think he won another 3 frees which were scored. He needs to work on what he does when he gets the ball but he definitely got his hands on a lot more ball than some of our full forward line usually do.

Donnelly will never be as influential in there as he is out the pitch but the question is can we afford to let one of our best players play a more sporadic role in the hope he can be decisive in that time.

That's really what needs to be figured out at the minute. Using Donnelly inside will likely mean an opportunity for the likes of Meyler, McGeary, McClure, McNulty etc so if they grab their chance and contribute significantly then I think it may be something worth persevering with.

I think Meyler has been brilliant so far and if he keeps it up deserves a starting spot, McClure also at the minute but bigger challenges lie ahead.

[lenny]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/red-hand-on-hunt-for-goals-with-donnelly-experiment-35528312.html

Are we changing our style? Are we hitting in more long balls the last few games?

Good to see and I think Harte is finally beginning to listen to some of the lads on here who have been very vocal in criticising the horrible style of play over the last few years. I have saying for a few years now that tyrone are far too one dimensional to be competing against the big teams. Also good to see that harte is man enough to admit that he has been wrong and to change the style of play. Unlike some of his diehard supporters on here who could never bring themselves to criticise him when a blind man could see the obvious faults.

[thewobbler]

Tyrone folks, I noticed there was a huge turnover in players between your u21 team last night and when those fellas were minors in 2014.


Tyrone minors 2014 - P O'Neill, D Mullan, P O'Neill, N Kelly, E McGarrity [0-2], R Quinn, R Samir, R Nugent [0-1], M Quinn [0-2], P McAnenly [0-2], C McKenna [0-3], J Darcy [0-1], L Brennan [0-4], C O'Hagan, F McClure [1-1]. Subs – K Coney for R Quinn, J Lafferty [0-1] for Brennan, R Coleman for McKenna, C McLernon [0-1] for O'Hagan, B Kennedy for Nugent


Tyrone u21 2017 – B Gallen, N Kelly, P Teague, C Shields, L Rafferty (0-1), M McKernan, F Meenagh (0-1), B O'Donnell, R Loughran, M O'Neill (0-1), D Mulgrew (0-4), N Donnelly (0-1), L Brennan (0-3, 2f, 1 "45"), B Kennedy, P Donaghy (0-1). Subs – C McLernon (0-1) for Kennedy, J Harkin (0-1) for O'Donnell, E McNabb for Donaghy, R Coleman for Loughran (black card), Donaghy for O'Neill, P McAnenly for Mulgrew


2 starters remain: Kelly corner back, Brennan corner forward. McAnenly came in as a sub last night and started in 2014. Coleman and McLernon subs on both matches.

David Mulgrew was injured in 2014 or would have started.

---

It surely couldn't be normal for 16 out of 22 faces to change in such a short period of time - especially as team 1 were talented enough to destroy Down within 10 minutes of throw in.

Anyone explain the turnover?

[Bring back club football]

In Omagh watching the match last night. Hoped to see good game. What rubbish. That'll do me for county games. What is these super coaches doing with these cubs kept under lock and key for months? And as for all the men cryin bout harte and looking the u21 managers installed - you'd just be getting even more negative garbage!!!!!!!!