Looking forward to Sunday. Would read nothing into the league game as Tyrone didn't seem to invest too much in the game. It will be a massive task on Sunday though and Donegal will rightfully fancy their chances. The unavailability of so many players is effecting the strength and depth of the team and would have liked another forward option or two on the bench.
I see in papers Richie Donnelly has been back training. If he's fit he will start and this time of year probably suits him, as well as giving a bit more physicality around the middle sector which we lacked massively in the league game. Meyler seemed to play a more attacking role last week and was poor, if he's on it'll have to be in a more defensive role. Our options at the back are a limited given the likely unavailability of Brennan, Hampsey, Cassidy etc.
You could actually make a case for playing McRory (as popular as that would be) who again should suit the time of year and is more of an out and out marker than some of the players in defence. It's a toss up between him and Hugh Pat for me. It's hard to know what to do with Sludden. There is potential in him but hasn't delivered in the last few years. I don't think he's an 11 - so either an option as a half forward or half back. Liam Rafferty seems better on the front foot than back foot so I'd have him in half back line. I'd go with something like this (assuming boys above unavailable):
Morgan
Hugh Pat
McNamee
McKernan
McCann
Burns
Rafferty
Kennedy
Mattie
Sludden
R Donnelly
McGeary
Harte
McKenna
Canavan
McCurry to hopefully provide some kind of impact of the bench. Tyrone being given very little chance in the media which probably suits us alright. I certainly wouldn't right the team off.
It really depends on who we have available. Apparently O'Neill was having problems breathing on Sunday but it was not anything related to a clash or an impact injury, he went to hospital but got the OK so not sure if he's available. I've liked what I've seen from him so far, looks to have far more defensively than what else we have.
McCurry simply has to start.
Presuming R Donnelly is available.....I'd go with.
Morgan
Rafferty
McNamee
Hugh Pat
McCann
McGeary
O'Neill/McKernan
Kennedy
R Donnelly/Kilpatrick
M Donnelly
McKenna
McCurry
Canavan/Bradley
Harte
Meyler
Meyler would solely be in that team to dog McHugh as he's been very poor otherwise. I'd prefer to spring Canavan from the bench later on when he might get a little more room to operate but that ability would depend on having someone like Bradley available. Is Daniel Kerr still on the squad and available? He's a better option than Ronan O'Neill for me.
Sludden looks like he's struggling so I wouldn't start. Frank Burns and McKernan make too many defensive mistakes to start. McKernan does offer a bit going forward but I think if O'Neill is fit an available I'd start him.
I'd resist throwing McKenna inside, we do have Harte back for this as he missed the league match with Donegal, Harte has a bit of pace about him and can win his ball out in front so it will free McKenna to play at 11 and get on the ball. We need someone in there beside him so it's probably Canavan but if Bradley is available I'd start him, as I mentioned earlier I think Kerr is a better option off the bench than R O'Neill but wasn't involved in either league match.
Then there's the task of Donegal's danger men:
If McBrearty plays then McNamee should pick him up, he's done well on him in the past.
Murphy is a tricky one, Hampsey and Brennan would be the two main men here but both look set to be out, Cassidy would be the most suited next but he looks gone too so I'd probably go with Hugh Pat.
Meyler should pick McHugh up
Rafferty on Brennan
If Murphy and McHugh are negated and Tyrone sort their kickouts out then that's the basis for a win. I just want to see a tactical improvement from Tyrone and to give Donegal a real battle, I'd be happy with that given the amount of absentees.
