Tyrone 2008

[tyroneman]

I guess the question now is what next for Tyrone in MH's final year (maybe)

Supposing we have SON, Dooher and McGuigan available we will be in reaonsably good shape however certaain issues / questions must be addressed:

1. We need a MF partner for Sean Cavanagh AND a reliable back up to come into his MF spot should we push him into the Half Forwards. To date we have found no-one. Barely a glimmer. Is there anyone at club level who can make the grade? Who knows. Alternatively we look at young McMahon and/or young Cavanagh as options

2. Ricey. No longer has the pace required for the modern day CB position. Will be an asset in the half back line. Who makes way - Nephew.

3. Full Back. Joe McMahon is the man for this. Needs a run of games there though.

4. McKenna Cup - should be about finding and blooding talent not tiring out / injuring the big guns. If we don't win it next year Mcikey we'll not be too disapointed.

5. PLan B - we need a different option in the forward line (could this be Rouse?).

[hardstation]

I think SON is as good as gone. Dooher may be there next year but will find it hard. I doubt Mc Guigan will be there next year.
Rouse isn't good enough.
Mc Caul could be a regular corner back.
Midfield will continue to be a problem. A totally new tactical approach may be the best way forward.
Joe Mc Mahon could be a good full back with more practice as you say.
The forward line needs to be shaken up big time. More young lads to be given a chance.
There are some great forwards in the club scene that have never been given a chance.

[longball]

Players that should be tried next year in McKenna Cup, Nat league etc: Phillip Toner, Brian Toner, Niall McGinn, Edan Clarke, Des Tracy, Adian Cassidy, Paul Rafferty, Eoin McCusker

[orangeman]

Niall Mc Ginn is a very good player who I think could make it.

[snappiered]

Tyroneman think you forgot to mention we will have Mickey Mc Gee back for 2008 as well. Dont forget the last 10 mins of 05 final v Kingdom. He come charging out of our defence on 4 seperate occasions. His loss was underestimated this year. He had a shoulder operation there two months ago and was told he would be out for 6 months. Hope he makes a full recovery for club and countys sake

[orangeman]

Snapper - you're right there - Mc Gee was missed - a good player who can do a marking job - is aggressive and can play a bit as well.

[Uladh]

I think SON is as good as gone.

Why is that?

[hardstation]

He is knackered. He can't play for 20 minutes without being injured. The aul legs are giving up.

[Uladh]

Nonsense. what is he, 26?

His conditioning obviously isn't correct but thats a seperate issue.

[loughshore lad]

Tyroneman think you forgot to mention we will have Mickey Mc Gee back for 2008 as well. Dont forget the last 10 mins of 05 final v Kingdom. He come charging out of our defence on 4 seperate occasions. His loss was underestimated this year. He had a shoulder operation there two months ago and was told he would be out for 6 months. Hope he makes a full recovery for club and countys sake

Dont think McGee was that big a loss, would he have done any better than anyone who played there this season? Dont think so myself. Yes as you point out he had a good last quarter in the All Ireland final in 2005 but that is 2 years ago. He was not too hot in a large proprtion of games he played both before and after that.

We need to be looking to the future and moving on with out the likes of McGee. Its time to blood a few younger players I feel. We need a completely new full back line I feel, McMahon is not a natural full back and doesnt look comfortable there, McCaul is going to be a good player but as some point out he may be better in the half back line. PJ Quinn is well worth a go I think.

[hardstation]

Well for a lad of 26, he is subject to a lot of injuries. It's different for players like Mc Guigan who has suffered from freak injuries.
It's the same injuries that keep coming back to haunt O Neill.
How much longer do you think he can keep going for?

[Wee Roddy]

Any man woman or child who thinks that Paul Rafferty is county standard is having a laugh. A man that pulls out of half a dozen balls and kick three short frees in a league match instead of having the guts to go himself should not even be considered. How much does he score from play?

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

Well for a lad of 26, he is subject to a lot of injuries. It's different for players like Mc Guigan who has suffered from freak injuries.
It's the same injuries that keep coming back to haunt O Neill.
How much longer do you think he can keep going for?

The last two seasons he has been playing through injury and coming back before he was ready. Hopefully with a few months proper rest now (from the club as well) and the right treatment he can be back and ready for 2008. Not so confident about Brian McGuigan though, seems like a horrendous eye injury and getting himself fit and well will be his main priority rather than playing GAA.

[Uladh]

Well for a lad of 26, he is subject to a lot of injuries. It's different for players like Mc Guigan who has suffered from freak injuries.
It's the same injuries that keep coming back to haunt O Neill.
How much longer do you think he can keep going for?

repetitive soft tissue injuries is symptomatic of misguided training. either poor s&c, the wrong type of field work at the wrong time or a combination of the two. if that was addressed he could player for tyrone for 10 years. i would contend that a large reason for the early retirement of gaa players is half informed trainers doing the wrong type of training and poor injury prehab and particularly pathetic injury treatment in the long term.

[orangeman]

Back to the team - who's going to make it next year ?