Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[GetOverTheBar]

Has he proved himself at county level?

Lee Brennan is a legend in the club game, scored something ridiculous like 3-15 in one game. Has he set county level alight? Its a big step up, extremely rare for anyone in any county, let alone Tyrone where you seem to do an apprenticeship.

McNulty is a good player, of course. But to say he's the answer when, if we are perfectly honest - he hasn't put together a single whole year at Clonoe in maybe 3/4 years is just fanciful.

Not to mention McAliskey will be well fit to tell him what's in store - and he would even be a better choice to bring back.

McNulty has been mentioned because people are looking a like for like replacement for McShane, presumably because of the forward mark. Whether he has a capability to be a replacement for McShane is something that can be debated but he offers something different to what Brennan or McAliskey would give you inside.

Appreciate that and I understand. But it's just not a realistic option, I actually think he could do a job myself but there is the obvious backstory with McNulty and Tyrone. It's just a no go unfortunately.

[Dire Ear]

Rory Brennan full forward

[Goals_Will_Come]

Anything to be said for moving Peter Harte into full forward?
Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly inside with Mark Bradley operating off them would have the potential to be very dangerous.

1. Niall Morgan
2. Rory Brennan
3. Ronan McNammee
4. Michael McKernan
5. Michael Cassidy
6. Paudie Hampsey
7. Frank Burns
8. Richard Donnelly
9. Colm Cavanagh
10. Kieran McGeary
11. Niall Sludden
12. Conor Meyler
13. Mark Bradley
14. Peter Harte
15. Mattie Donnelly
With that line up and squad, Tyrone should still be very competitive and make the super 8s/SF, all experienced players who have been about for a few years now, debatable though if they can beat Donegal in Ballybofey or any of the top teams in a semi final.

[southtyronegael]

That half forward line looks very weak scoring wise.

[Angelo]

Anything to be said for moving Peter Harte into full forward?
Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly inside with Mark Bradley operating off them would have the potential to be very dangerous.

1. Niall Morgan
2. Rory Brennan
3. Ronan McNammee
4. Michael McKernan
5. Michael Cassidy
6. Paudie Hampsey
7. Frank Burns
8. Richard Donnelly
9. Colm Cavanagh
10. Kieran McGeary
11. Niall Sludden
12. Conor Meyler
13. Mark Bradley
14. Peter Harte
15. Mattie Donnelly
With that line up and squad, Tyrone should still be very competitive and make the super 8s/SF, all experienced players who have been about for a few years now, debatable though if they can beat Donegal in Ballybofey or any of the top teams in a semi final.

That forward line doesn't inspire much hope for me at the business end of the Championship and I think you'd have to put big question marks over Mattie's involvement this year. It's a very small forward line too, only Meyler and Donnelly come near or above the 6ft mark. McGeary and Meyler don't really offer a scoring threat either.

I do agree with the placing of Mattie (if fit) and Peter Harte inside but it's the paucity of scores from the half forward line that would worry me. I also don't think McKernan is a corner back, he's got plenty of energy and is physical but his decision making and tendency to switch off his man has cost numerous goals already in his Tyrone career. Think Rafferty is worth a run at corner back.

We need to get more scores in that attack but trying to compensate for McShane's loss is near impossible with how important he was last year. Coney might be worth a run at 11 as he can get scores and adds a physical presence there, hopefully Mulgrew is back fit and can nail down a place too as he has the ability to feature on the scoreboard.

[Goals_Will_Come]

Tyrone McKenna Cup Team V. Cavan 1st 15

1. B Gallen
2. C Quinn
3. A McCrory
4. B Burns
5. L Rafferty
6. R Brennan
7. C Grimes
8. B Kennedy
9. C Kilpatrick
10. T McCann
11. K Coney
12. D McCurry
13. D Mulgrew
14. C McCann
15. D Kerr

4 Players make their debut for Tyrone Seniors

[Dire Ear]

2 McCanns and AMcCrory...........that's enough for me

[Angelo]

Think Brennan is the only player who started against Kerry in last year's AI semi?

Will many of these lads be involved in Sigerson? Might be the only chance for them in the McKenna Cup.

[NotedObserver]

Interested to see the hunger with T McCann. Think he could be v useful as a half forward if he is up for it

[Angelo]

Interested to see the hunger with T McCann. Think he could be v useful as a half forward if he is up for it

Think he's more suited there these days. His finishing has come on very well the past couple of years but I think we have better natural defenders for the half back line.

[southtyronegael]

So tiarnan Mc cann is a forward now? Jesus wept. We in bigger trouble than I thought.

[Angelo]

Anyone head along to the match?

I listened to the commentary. Seemed like Kilpatrick was outstanding and at the heart of everything positive Tyrone did, Rafferty also seemed to be very prominent by the radio commentary and Mulgrew sounded like he had a good second half.

[skeog]

MH seems confident Cathal may not sign contract.

[tyrone08]

MH seems confident Cathal may not sign contract.

What's that based on?

[tyroneman]

Dull enough first half overall although mcCurry lively, Rafferty lively and Coney lively - not a lot of decent ball into CmcC at to be honest so hard to evaluate today - he will need a few  more games at FF to settle (and to see if he is any sort of answer in the absence of mcShane)

Forward mark was really non existent, defenders just breaking the ball time after time (on both sides).

Kilpatrick had a very good debut. Moved well, caught plenty. Certainly worth a few more starts to see how he does. Looks to be a big strong fella which is what we need in MF

Armagh will be a much more difficult proposition. No fear of Tyrone and a very slick forward unit. Harte will need someone like mcNamee to look after RoN....never.mind Clarke and Campbell.

Decent enough game to start the season, but would worry about Tyrone having enough firepower to beat the top 3-4 teams this year (again)