Quote from: ONeill on February 06, 2011, 09:40:30 PM
That's what you call a positive defeat.
Tyrone were the better team throughout but worryingly the scoring malaise which was their downfall v Dublin last August hasn't rectified itself.
Tyrone started strongly and owned the ball for the opening 20 mins. McGinley was clean through in the first attack but kicked the ball straight into the Derry keeper's arms. Sean Leo McGoldrick then waltzed through a wide open Tyrone defence to score the match defining goal. What was clear in that move and subsequent to that was that Gormley wasn't at the races at all. Sean Leo scored 1-2 uncontested. The Block's injury after about 20 mins only hid his abject performance up to that point. Tyrone were winning all the breaking ball around midfield with Brian McGuigan head and shoulders above everyone on the field. He rolled back the years and Derry found him unmarkable.
However, and it's a big'un, Stevie O'Neill is no longer able to be the focal point of the Tyrone attack. McGuigan, on numerous occasions, was ready to pull the trigger only to look up and see a rather immobile O'Neill with Dermot McBride hanging out of him. In the past O'Neill was able to make some amount of space - not any more. O'Neill contributed next to nothing for 70 mins. I'm sure it's Mickey's instruction but he also failed to even look at kicking any frees from either side. Cavanagh and Penrose were entrusted with that role with very average success rate.
At the other end of the pitch, Paddy Bradley saw very little of the ball but as the half wore on and Tyrone tired a little around the middle he tore McCarron to shreds. It was his two late points which gave Derry the breathing space they never relinquished. Cassidy had moved to full forward for Tyrone and his first take was very encouraging. He rounded McCloy easily but shot too close to the keeper. After that though a very lean McCloy had his number.
The second half (1-7 to 0-5) saw the introduction of Niall McKenna to midfield with Cassidy still at FF and Peter Harte at half back in place of PJ Quinn who was playing after Davy Harte cried off beforehand. Well, McKenna's performance was tremendous. Not since Cavlan's Aussie Rules style catching has fielding been seen in a Tyrone geansai. He troubled Derry greatly and set up a swarm of Tyrone attacks throughout the second half. Unfortunately, the Tyrone shooting was dire. On the other hand, Derry were economical with every attack and although McCaul did OK on Bradley, Paddy was central to all Derry scores.
For me the turning point was when Hughes decided to go for goal instead of knocking a simple point over the bar. Derry were 2 up at this stage but Tyrone were pummelling their half back line. Hughes was turned over and Derry went straight up the field and over the bar. Although Tyrone kept knocking on the door, time ran out with O'Neill's only real pop at a score drifting wide.
Plus points - McKenna's fielding, McGuigan's mastery and ability to maintain it for 70 mins, Peter Harte's move to HB (why oh why did Mickey then bring on Swift and move Harte to HF???), Ricey and Carlin's drive in the second half. Cavanagh's shimmy still there. Penrose finally found a way to beat the Derry defence with the ball into space at the corner. All Derry could do was foul.
Negatives - Gormley's performance on Sean Leo. O'Neill's lack of confidence. I know he still attracts 2-3 defenders but he's not the leader he was. Hub's decision making.
For Derry I though their full back line were tigerish with Ballinascreen's McBride impressive. Sean Leo lorded the half forward line in the first 35 though McKenna's fielding deprived him of ball in the second. Paddy Bradley is some player. He has that little late burst. He wins every fecking ball. Though Lynch was poor and Gilligan tired.
Good report. As a derryman I can't argue with too much of that.