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Moy drew at home to Coalisland 1-9 to 1-9.  A fair enough result.

We led by five points at one stage in the first half but had to rely on a pointed free from Sean Cavanagh late in the game to earn our second draw of the campaign.
We didn't play as well as we did against Clonoe the week previous.

Dermot Thornton was Fianna's top scorer with five or six points  

It took a long time for this game to get going but, when things did liven up considerably in the second half, it made for some very interesting and enjoyable viewing.  Given the amount of wides we kicked in this match, it was pleasing to come away with some kind of result.  We hit a late scoring burst in the closing minutes of a rather dire first half to somehow put us five up at the break and, although Mayo played much better with the wind in the second half, Tyrone never looked like they would buckle at any stage.  Even when Mayo scored the goal and then went two ahead at one stage in the second half, Tyrone always looked capable of hitting back and could always find that extra gear when required....the sign of a good team.

Much will no doubt be made of the missed opportunites towards the end which could easily have earned Tyrone a victory in this game, but it was very positive nonetheless to see Tyrone finish so strongly, winning all the vital break balls in the closing stages and creating those scoring chances.  Tyrone's ability to strike back every time Mayo looked like they might press on for a win of their own in the second half was also quite pleasing.  I suppose there are those who will look on this result with some degree of suspicion, given that it guaranteed both sides Division One safety, but I never got the impression at any stage that both sets of players were content to play out a draw.  The two teams were certainly going all out for victory in the second half.

For Tyrone, substitute Sean O'Neill and Marty Penrose were the two 'fringe' players who impressed most and could have earned themselves a starting place in the championship with their performances yesterday.  Penrose, in particular, recovered from an indifferent start to the game to give a superb display - winning vital possession for his team and kicking some superb points from play.  His finishing and decision-making has been what has let him down most times at inter-county football but, yesterday, he showed he has what it takes to be really good player at this level.  I just hope he can repeat this form for the big games this summer.  Sean O'Neill, meanwhile, is a player who hardly put a foot wrong in this season's NFL and is deserving of his chance to start come championship time.

As for the more established players, it was great to see Hub and Ryan Mellon lord midfield for Tyrone in the first half yesterday - although both were less effective after the break.  Ricey, Joe McMahon and Enda McGinley slotted back into the team nicely while wing backs Davy Harte and Philly Jordan proved their attacking worth once again.  Although Conor Gormley struggled at times against Aidan O'Shea (Mayo's version of Tommy Walsh), the Tyrone full back's second half point was truly inspirational. Sean Cav and Brian McGuigan both had fairly quiet outings but both can no doubt be relied upon to produce the goods in the white heat of championship.

All in all, an enjoyable day at sunny Castlebar!  That is one impressive looking new stand at McHale Park and will be some spectacle when completed.  Twas also good to see so many from Tyrone make the long trip west on Sunday.....the players will have appreciated the large travelling support!

There was plenty of drama and incident in Clonoe today for the meeting of the current County Senior champions and the 2008 Division Two league winners.  Philly Jordan scored a late equalising point for the Moy in a passionate encounter, although a draw was the least we deserved having come from five points down at one stage in the first half.  We had enough chances to win this game but, considering we were up against the O'Neill Cup holders in their own back yard, we will settle for a point!

Next up for the Moy....a meeting with Coalisland at Pairc Thír na nÓg on Easter Tuesday.

That's a bit more like it from Tyrone.....not a flawless performance by any means but a big improvement from recent outings and the desire was clearly there in those final few minutes to secure a valuable and well deserved win.  As a previous poster said, this is a huge result for Tyrone.  Confidence will have been restored and the trip to Castlebar on the last day of the league will be a little more relaxing now! This also proves we can win in Omagh, so Armagh beware!!!

I am a bit surprised to learn that some neutrals actually enjoyed this game.  I thought it was very stop-start at times, due mostly to an overly fussy referee.  This was certainly not one of David Coldrick's finest hours.....many of his decisions were baffling to say the least.

I thought there were a number of positives tonight from a Tyrone perspective.  I thought our half back line excelled all through with Davy Harte kicking two more wonder points, Philly Jordan leading by example in the centre, and Sean O'Neill giving another assured display on the wing.  Ryan Mellon and Hub got through a mountain of work at midfield (I had to laugh at the poster who thought were 'cleaned out' in this sector).  Mugsy won a lot of ball in attack and was about the sharpest of our forwards, Tommy McGuigan kicked the frees when most needed, while Sean Cav came good at vital times as well.  

However, the introduction of Brian McGuigan was absolutely crucial to the outcome of this match.  He picked up a lot of loose ball and seemed to give the Tyrone attack so much more shape when he came on.  His pass that led to the penalty was simply sheer class.  I really look forward to seeing him link up again with the likes of Stevie O'Neill when the two of them return to full fitness.  With Ricey, Stevie, the McMahon brothers, Dooher and co still to come back, things are looking up again for the All-Ireland champs!

New table, big movers up the way are Ferm Gael, Goats Do Shave, Mayo4Sam and Big Frank while its been another bad week for ONeill (-8 places in two weeks and RedHandFan (-13 places in two weeks). Time will tell who got rode by CJ McGourty.

Ok, Ok....there is really no need to kick me when I am down.

It is good to see the Millars still proudly flying the flag for Moy in this week's leaderboard.

Sat down tonight to watch the BBC local news expecting to see a preview of the Tyrone/Derry game on tomorrow.  It didnt get a mention, in fact GAA didnt get mentioned. I was very surprised as this event will probably have the most spectators of any sporting event here this weekend.There was extensive coverage of soccer,cycling, ice hockey, rugby.  Will this game get radio coverage on Sat? Two weeks ago I sent away £139.50 licence fee but obviously this is the only interest local BBC have in me.  I suppose if there is a skirmish at the match no effort will be spared in covering it.

Almost ten minutes of sports coverage on BBC Newsline this evening and the GAA don't so much as get a mention.  Have all the NFL games been postponed this weekend?

What do you suggest are the best weapons to bring into the ground tomorrow evening?  It is always best being prepared if things really kick off in the stand and terraces.

Delighted to hear about the possible upgrading of Casement Park to an all-seater stadium which can accommodate really big games...this is definitely the way to go.  It would be a much more comfortable and pleasant experience going to a newly developed Casement Park on Ulster Final Day than Clones, which has had its big day.

I was never that excited about the prospect of having to share a stadium with the rugby and soccer either.  At least now, we won't have anti-GAA forces telling us when we can play our games, what to call the stadium, and how best to show respect to other traditions. 

Steady on, O'Neill....that's taking things a bit too far.

Maiming will be sufficient.

Micky will be forever remembered as one of the great GAA managers, he may be remembered for his Spiritualism, he may be remembered as an outstanding teacher but I don't think his journalism will last long in the memory.

To be regarded as a great manager, you have to have taken your county to back-to-back All Ireland Championship wins.  This is something Harte has failed to do so I don't see where the 'great' title comes from, why anyone in the world would think he would be remembered for his spiritualism, I have no idea.  Not hiding your beliefs and publicising what you actually do believe are different things completely.  Harte's teaching capabilities are only to be assessed by parents of pupils he has taught.

If we look at his Gaelic Football abilities in terms of how many medals he has, I wonder where he would be ranked?

Even by Armagh posting standards, that has to be one of the most ridiculous statements ever made on this Board

Those boyos from The Gaelic Life are certainly doing their best to heighten interest in tomorrow night's game in Omagh.  Today's edition was dominated by articles and interviews which centred a lot on the intense rivalry between these two loving neighbours. I have to say it made for some great reading and has whetted the appetite for what should be another fiercely contested derby.

The fact that Tyrone are in serious relegation trouble and have been playing well below the standard of what we would expect from reigning All-Ireland champions makes this a fascinating contest in many respects.  Tyrone supporters are expecting a backlash from our team tomorrow night....I just hope we will not be disappointed!

In response to some previous posts on this thread:

1) David Coldrick of Meath will be the referee.
2) Big Packie McConnell appeared to be still limping when I saw him in Mullingar.  He doesn't look as if he will be back any time soon.
3) Colm Cavanagh is well worth his place on the Tyrone team at present.  His work rate has been excellent and, had it not been for his late winning goal away to Westmeath, we would be sitting joint bottom of division one at the minute and in even bigger relegation trouble than we are now.  The criticism and petty jibes levelled at him by some of the Tyrone posters on this Board is uncalled for.

I have to laugh at those who say that Crossmaglen are 'finished' as a result of what happened today.  Less than 24 hours ago, Cross were still being hailed as the one of the greatest club teams ever.  One defeat does not make them a spent force.  In Kilmacud Crokes, they came up against a fiercely determined and highly motivated side who surprised me big time with the intensity of their play from start to finish.  The Dublin champions also held their own in the physical stakes and had a tremendous self-belief that appeared to catch even the opposition by surprise.

Crossmaglen had a bad day but I suspect they will still be a major force in Ulster and the All-Ireland for years to come.

I didn't think it was that bad......a bit unusual alright, but not bad.

I suppose what we saw today was an attempt at an 'old-fashioned pageant' as opposed to the modern extravaganza of strobe lighting etc that we witnessed on the night of the NFL opener between Tyrone and Dublin. 

It was something different.....not painful nor pathetic.  Watching the Irish soccer team play at Croke Park is painful and pathetic.

It is good to see characters like this about.  In fact, our games could do with having a few more colourful and cheery eccentric supporters at games.

I had the great honour of shaking St Patrick's hand on my last visit to Castlebar for a Mayo v Tyrone NFL game.....he gave us Nordies a great welcome that day!

Another far from convincing performance by Tyrone today in Mullingar but at least the desire was there in those closing few minutes to somehow snatch a victory over a determined if somewhat unlucky home team.  Considering the games Tyrone have left, this was a hugely significant result for the Red Hands.  A defeat today (which looked very likely at one stage) would have left us in serious trouble.  We are still not out of the danger zone just yet but a win in Ballybofey next Saturday night would virtually secure our division one status and remove a lot of pressure going into the final two games at home to Derry and away to Mayo.

Many people pointed to the dreadful conditions in Omagh the week previous for Tyrone's below par display against Galway but it worries me slightly that we struggled for long periods today against a severely weakened Westmeath team in what was a near perfect day for football.  Injuries to Enda McGinley and Justy McMahon certainly did not help our cause but to concede 2-10 was most disappointing.  It was interesting to hear Sean being interviewed on RTE radio on our way home after the match that the team is currently doing a lot of heavy work at training, which may explain the lack of sharpness and fluency at the moment.  I suppose it is fair to say, too, that the number of changes to the team may be slightly unsettling.  On current form, victory over an out of sorts Donegal is far from guaranteed while Derry must be licking their lips at the prospect of coming to Healy Park in a fortnight.

It is worth remembering that only a few weeks ago we were all basking in the glory of another Croke Park triumph over Dublin and the talk, among players and supporters alike, was of achieving National League success.  Now, we will just be relieved to keep our place in Division One.  Dublin's displays since the league opener should perhaps make us re-evaluate our own performance that night.  We have not been playing all that well in this season's league and, as O'Neill rightly pointed out to me after the Galway game, there is no one at the moment on the fringes of the team who have really staked a claim for a place come championship time.  Swift is a tidy footballer, comfortable on the ball and good going forward, but there are still doubts when it comes to his defensive duties.  Snowy O'Neill played well in the first half today but, along with the likes of Mulgrew and Niall Gormley, must do more before we can count on them come championship time.

Another thing, I don't like to see Mugsy playing that deep roving role. He spent far too much time in his own defence today (was that his marker who scored Westmeath's second goal?) and he is better served close to the opposition's goal where he poses far more of a threat.  Keep him in the full forward line - we need more ball winners in that sector.  The return in the coming weeks of Brian McGuigan and Stevie O'Neill will hopefully see Mugsy returned to his strongest position.

On the plus side today, Sean O'Neill had a very good game in defence.  Scored two terrific points and always looked assured.  I even saw him barking out orders at one stage to more experienced players like Mulligan which suggests he does not feel out of place in the county set-up!  It was also good to see a healthy turn out of Tyrone supporters make the trip to Mullingar for this match.  When Colm Cavanagh nabbed that winning goal, at least two thirds of the people in the stand rose to their feet to acclaim the score!