McKenna Cup 2024

[Itchy]

Time for the Armagh boys to leave this thread, see yis next year.

[seanaglis]

If Armagh take away from last nights game that there is a lot more work to do and no room for slacking or complacency then that is a useful lesson to learn at a time in the season when there is still time to improve.

no. If armagh take anything away from last night its that philip mcevoy is a liability

[Nigel White]

Only announced after Armagh's elimination confirmed. Couldn't show the thugs on live TV before the 9.00pm watershed.

Will Cathal McCarron be playing? He normally only appears on late night TV.

You chose an appropriate user name. That's one of the most poisonous comments ever posted on this Board.  You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Orior]

Time for the Armagh boys to leave this thread, see yis next year.

Too smelly in here anyway.

[Fuzzman]

I enjoyed the last week's craic for the build up of the game but sounds like the game itself was a non event with Tyrone taking it too seriously. Typical .
A few of ye Armagh lads showed yet again your true colours and utter hatred of anything with a single red hand on it. Have ye been spanked once too often as a kid perhaps and fear the red hand mark on yer arses? God knows.

In fairness a few sensible heads like Rionach, IllDecide, Bennydorano and even Lawnseed is showing he's maturing.

[theticklemister]

You'll never find me Fuzzman as Derry City is a big place, but a Donemana man living in Dublin can easily be located!!

[Fuzzman]

Are you back in Derry Hi or still in Liverpool?
I think you'd stick out like a sore thumb anywhere Tickleman

[theticklemister]

Are you back in Derry Hi or still in Liverpool?
I think you'd stick out like a sore thumb anywhere Tickleman

[Throw ball]

I know this is a football thread but the hurling section seems quiet and the Derry ones seem to like to read about Tyrone. Anyway Armagh GAA forum report that tonight's Conor McGurk hurling final between Armagh and Derry is on Armagh TV. As it is free there should be no complaints.

[theticklemister]

Good man throw ball

[LeoMc]

I see Harte unsurprisingly has fielded Donnelly and O'Neill in his starting line up even though they have already played for UUJ in the competition, a ridiculous situation and shows how determined he is to get the 4 in a row. What other sport or competition would allow such a situatin occur?

I hope its a good fair and physical (probably get jumped on for using that word) contest and if there are a few minor dust ups then so be it, there will be no crying here. Just hope that the game isn't settled by any controversial free kick incidents involving players doing impersonations of dying swans.

No it doesn't. It shows Harte wants to run the rule over everyone before the football in earnest starts with the NFL, and this might be the last semi-competitive game with which to do that.

It's not like he needs to see O'Neill or Donnelly play to know their capabilities, they will be guaranteed starters in any Tyrone first XV. Just to be clear I have no issue with Harte starting them but with the rules which allow such a situation occur. However it does show how serious Harte is treating this match. Armagh have Aidan Forker and James Morgan available now also from St Marys who will be in the starting team come championship, but McGeeney has opted not to start either of them tonight.

He's made 13 changes. I don't think he's taking it any more serious than any other manager. None of the managers will want to lose the game.

13 changes from what, a nothing game against Antrim? Course he treats it more serious than any other manager, his comments over the years and disputes over availability of college players would tell you as much.

13 more changes. Does this mean Harte isn't taking Cavan seriously or that he didn't take Armagh seriously?

[rodney trotter]

Or maybe it's because it's their 3rd game in a week and wants to look at his panel before the league commences?..

Harte takes the Competition serious more then any other manager, it's not like it's a weak team

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

You chose an appropriate user name. That's one of the most poisonous comments ever posted on this Board.  You should be ashamed of yourself.

Steady on. Hardly the classiest of comments but if that's the worst McCarron has to put up with over the months ahead then he will be doing pretty well. The boy will need a thick skin and plenty of support which I trust he is getting. Good to see him back playing again, for his own good and for Tyrone.

Making drastic changes from game to game has been par for the course with Mickey the past few seasons. I don't mind it at this stage of the season but I think it does become a real issue when it continues throughout the National League. Above all this season I really want him to get the experimenting out of the way early on and aim to have the nucleus of his team in place as early as possible. He has a number of very good players and he needs to get them established in the key positions and build around them. Changing the team and playing players in different positions from game to game doesn't help with momentum at all. It's also an issue when things go wrong in big games and there isn't a trusted and established spine to the team to help steady the ship. A factor in a few Tyrone championship defeats the past few years IMO.

[never kickt a ball]

Dr McKenna Cup: Mickey Harte makes 12 Tyrone changes for final

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Final: Tyrone v Cavan
Venue: Athletic Grounds Date: Saturday, 24 January Throw-in: 19:30 GMT
Coverage: Live video coverage on BBC Sport Website plus Red Button coverage

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has made 12 changes from the semi-final win over Armagh for Saturday's Dr McKenna Cup final against Cavan at the Athletic Grounds [19:30 GMT].
Cathal McCann, Ronan O'Neill and Sean Cavanagh are the only players to retain their places.
Niall Morgan returns in goal with the McMahon brothers Joe and Justin both named in the defence.
The attack includes Mark Donnelly, Kyle Coney, Cavanagh and Niall McKenna.
The McMahon brothers are both included after coming on as substitutes in Wednesday's 3-10 to 1-8 semi-final win.
Aidan McCrory, Cathal McCarron, Ronan McNabb and Barry Tierney also return to the Red Hands defence with Padraig McNulty named to partner McCann at midfield.
Plunkett Kane joins Mark Donnelly and Ronan O'Neill in the half-forward line with the full-forward line comprising of Coney, Cavanagh and Niall McKenna.
Tyrone defeated Cavan 1-15 to 0-11 in last year's McKenna Cup final and are seeking a fourth successive triumph in the competition.
Cavan have yet to name their line-up for the final but they will again be without the influential Gearoid McKiernan after he was handed a two-game ban for using sectarian abuse against Monaghan's Drew Wylie in last weekend's game.
TEAMS
Tyrone: N Morgan; A McCrory, Justin McMahon, C McCarron; R McNabb, Joe McNabb, B Tierney; P McNulty, C McCann; Mark Donnelly, R O'Neill, P Kane; K Coney, S Cavanagh, N McKenna. Subs: M O'Neill, R Brennan, C Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly, P Harte, P Hughes, T McCann, D McCurry, S McGuigan, E McKenna, R McKenna
Cavan: tbc


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/gaelic-games/30957940?print=true

Mickey called up a few new faces again

[Redhand Santa]

You chose an appropriate user name. That's one of the most poisonous comments ever posted on this Board.  You should be ashamed of yourself.

Steady on. Hardly the classiest of comments but if that's the worst McCarron has to put up with over the months ahead then he will be doing pretty well. The boy will need a thick skin and plenty of support which I trust he is getting. Good to see him back playing again, for his own good and for Tyrone.

Making drastic changes from game to game has been par for the course with Mickey the past few seasons. I don't mind it at this stage of the season but I think it does become a real issue when it continues throughout the National League. Above all this season I really want him to get the experimenting out of the way early on and aim to have the nucleus of his team in place as early as possible. He has a number of very good players and he needs to get them established in the key positions and build around them. Changing the team and playing players in different positions from game to game doesn't help with momentum at all. It's also an issue when things go wrong in big games and there isn't a trusted and established spine to the team to help steady the ship. A factor in a few Tyrone championship defeats the past few years IMO.

Would agree that a settled team is needed going into the championship and I'd say Harte is aware of that himself. In his defence last year a lot of players didn't take their chances when given but also think he didn't get our best 15 on pitch come championship. I'd like to see some experimentation I'm first 3 or 4 games in terms of both personnel and positions. But after that get close to a settled 15.

I think he might already be close to settling his defence, I would not be surprised if it's morgan mcrory mcnamee mcccarron mcnabb Donnelly and Harte. Colm will start midfield and it's looking like sean at 14. After that it gets a bit more complicated.

In my opinion our half forward line has been one of our weakest area in recent years. It hasn't offered enough ball winning ability or link play. From that point of view I'd nearly prefer to see Donnelly at 11 and maybe even move Harte or mcnabb up there to. Justy and tierney could be options in half back line.