Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[Hand of God]

So Malachy is hopeful McGeary will be back for latter part of the league. He also seems hopeful that both Mattie Donnelly and Peter Harte will be involved next year. Bradley confirmed as away.

[NotedObserver]

XV 2026 -
1 Morgan
2 Devlin
3 Hampsey
4 Joey Clarke / Aidan Clarke
5 McKernain
6 McGeary
7 Seanie Od
8 Kilpatrick
9 Kennedy
10 Cathal Donaghy
11 McElholm
12 Ciaran Daly
13 McCurry
14 Darragh
15 R McCullagh

Potential starters -
Ben McDonnell
Ruairi Canavan
Paul Donaghy
Ethan J
Michael C

Peter Teague a top performer for Tyrone last year imo and hopefully get another year. Think him or Brennan will start at 6 if Brennan returns again.
McCurry position will be under threat following a few poor knock out games but that's when he generally plays well. Expect Harte and Donnelly to get game time and Mccullagh will likely play with the under 20s.

Assume no word of any more call ups?

[Hand of God]

Do we really see Joey Clarke usurping the likes of Cormac Quinn, Aidan Clarke, Shea O'Hare or Michael Rafferty next year? He's a great talent but some of these are much more established down the line and O'Hare and Rafferty came into the senior setup with huge reputations but have struggled for minutes.

Think Clarke might find a similar roadblock next year but hopefully over time he can show his talent.

[Goals_Will_Come]

Do we really see Joey Clarke usurping the likes of Cormac Quinn, Aidan Clarke, Shea O'Hare or Michael Rafferty next year? He's a great talent but some of these are much more established down the line and O'Hare and Rafferty came into the senior setup with huge reputations but have struggled for minutes.

Think Clarke might find a similar roadblock next year but hopefully over time he can show his talent.

Not to many players over the last 15 years have came in and established themsevles in the first year. Peter Harte done it, Morgan was straight in, remember Mattie struggling at the start, Niall Sludden was able to establish himself in his first year, Conor Meyler was able to, Hampsey was second season maybe, Brennan and Bradley went straight in 2015 but struggled to hold their place after, McKernan was able to, Kennedy and Kilpatrick struggled, Darragh spent a few years off the bench. So it certainly isn't easy in the first season - the more natural route is in the second or third season after a spell on the panel getting up to speed physically.
McGeary being available next year is a boost but it will also make it harder for players to break into a fairly settled defence. You have Cormac Quinn, Hampsey, Niall Devlin, Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Peter Teague and Kieran McGeary trying to get into 6 positions - Aidan Clarke isn't far off breaking in there either. Then you have Rafferty, O'Hare and Joey Clarke all behind that. Difficult to play that waiting game for lads.
McKenna Cup and Division 2 should give opportunities atleast for these lads to make a claim.

[scout]

I see a lot of people including Hampsey. I know he's had injury after injury since the AI win. But me personally, I believe he is done at county level where you'll be facing Clifford, geaney, con, Kilkenny, Ryan o donoghue, Shane McGuigan etc weeks in week out

Been a magnificent servant but possibly best days behind him.

[Goals_Will_Come]

I see a lot of people including Hampsey. I know he's had injury after injury since the AI win. But me personally, I believe he is done at county level where you'll be facing Clifford, geaney, con, Kilkenny, Ryan o donoghue, Shane McGuigan etc weeks in week out

Been a magnificent servant but possibly best days behind him.

Clifford took everyone apart last year so Hampsey's performance on him should be looked at from that context. Tyrone still better with Hampsey than without him.

[Hand of God]

I see a lot of people including Hampsey. I know he's had injury after injury since the AI win. But me personally, I believe he is done at county level where you'll be facing Clifford, geaney, con, Kilkenny, Ryan o donoghue, Shane McGuigan etc weeks in week out

Been a magnificent servant but possibly best days behind him.

Clifford took everyone apart last year so Hampsey's performance on him should be looked at from that context. Tyrone still better with Hampsey than without him.

Hampsey did well v Dublin I thought. The issue is he doesn't have the speed or size to match a Clifford. No county does, he took McCole who will probably get an all star at full back for 9 points when he was on the ball for 90 seconds in the AI final.

I think teams are going to have to consider dropping midfielders back into the full back line to attempt marking Clifford in the new rules. You want someone who can match up with him physically so you are looking at athletic guys with good acceleration and are 6ft2 or 6ft3. Don't know many full backs about in today's game with that, they tend to play midfield.

I remember a few years back when Kerry brought Donaghy on against Mayo and he destroyed them in last 10 minutes. They ended up bringing AOS back to full back to mark him in the replay and he did a job on him. Similarly we brought Joe McMahon back for Tommy Walsh and brought Cormac McAnallen back from midfield when we had an issue there.

Could someone like Oguz be moulded for marking Clifford? I know it's a bit of a mad shout but Clifford is destroying elite full backs due to his physical advantages. When someone has the height and the speed and physicality to match him it could be a different story.

[tiempo]

You might be on to something
Think Oguz is mighty for the club but lacking as a MF half fw for county level
Full back, centre back or wing back might suit him better

[Onthe40]

Ben McDonnell delivered a few great performances for Errigal at fullback in ulster club last year
could be an option..didnt look fully fit this season

[Hand of God]

Ben McDonnell delivered a few great performances for Errigal at fullback in ulster club last year
could be an option..didnt look fully fit this season

McDonnell probably more suited to a big target man full forward. Don't think he would have the acceleration to deal with Clifford. I'd be looking at the likes of Kilpatrick or Oguz with the type of physical characteristics to match Clifford. Kilpatrick can be very rash in the tackle and his discipline is an issue so I don't see him doing a job there.

[Onthe40]

didn't give Turbitt a kick in Newry ..and turbot has pace..

[NotedObserver]

Tyrone were in the game v Kerry last year. The second half performance was v poor and it wasn't much to do with Clifford. Awful lots to improve and change up

[Hand of God]

Tyrone were in the game v Kerry last year. The second half performance was v poor and it wasn't much to do with Clifford. Awful lots to improve and change up

Kerry could and should have been out of sight at half time. Clifford ran a mock in the first half.

[Aaron Boone]

Tyrone were in the game v Kerry last year. The second half performance was v poor and it wasn't much to do with Clifford. Awful lots to improve and change up

Kerry could and should have been out of sight at half time. Clifford ran a mock in the first half.

The highlight of Clifford's year was scoring 3-03 in Pomeroy on 23rd Feb.

[delgany]

Tyrone were in the game v Kerry last year. The second half performance was v poor and it wasn't much to do with Clifford. Awful lots to improve and change up

Kerry could and should have been out of sight at half time. Clifford ran a mock in the first half.

The highlight of Clifford's year was scoring 3-03 in Pomeroy on 23rd Feb.

Tyrone were severely disadvantaged by the 3 up rule that day.It was subsequently changed !