Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[barelegs]

Putting a big midfielder inside whilst we were getting cleaned out repeatedly at midfield was insane stuff. It smacked of desperation.
If we can't beat Derry we may forget about Division 1 or the all Ireland series for a few years.

Why should we forget about the All Ireland series? I've never heard such hysteria about an aul league game in January. Is likely Kerry will win the next two or three All Irelands as the new rules suit team with the best players and they have them. We don't at the moment but on any given Sunday in summer will give most top teams their fill of it, as Donegal and Dublin found out last year.

Kennedy inside was stupid especially when they didnt even play too many high balls into him. We gave derry the run of midfield as a result. Its clear we dont have a set system. No issue with Kennedy going inside for a few high balls during the game but he needs to be in midfield for kick outs.

Tyrone wont be anywhere near it this summer. All the top teams have already shown the work they put in over the winter. We look exactly the same. There has been zero progress over the last few years.

The getting to an AI semi last year seemed to have covered over most of this but in reality we had zero chance of winning that game.

Kennedy was inside because he's still working his way back from injury (fairly sure he had groin surgery in autumn - definitely played no football from last July until he came on v Monaghan). Likewise McElholm and Canavan are still working their way back, as is Peter Teague.

Tyrone have started the league slackly over the last decade or so. Whether that's how they are being prepared or what the issue is it's hard to know. We invariably play better when the weather dries and the ground hardens.

I'd have plenty of concerns in terms of a kick out strategy or lack thereof and what we're doing in attack.

What we haven't got right for the last 3-4 years is our intensity. We're too willing to let other teams dictate the pace of the game no matter how superior to them we might be on paper. It's not something a Kerry or Donegal ever let the opposition do.

[the goal was on]

Kennedy only back from long term injury so i guess it was way to build up his fitness. Playing with half the team they had last year by look of it and few very inexperienced lads there too. Derry virtually full out so was always gonna be tough game to win. The kildare game damage was done . need to start seeing improvements in coming weeks. If not then it could be a tough year!

[square_ball]

I'd expect better performances against the likes of Cavan, Louth & Offaly simply because we are better than them. I don't think we will learn much over these next few matches to be honest. You'd just be hoping a few wins will give the team a bit of confidence and momentum to take into the rest of the season. Meath in Croke Park on 14th March will be a good gauge of how we are going.

The most disappointing thing about the past 2 games is we were in a position to win both games going into the last 15/20 minutes and didn't kick on.

[NotedObserver]

On the ttm podcast it was mentioned we are missing a strong number 6. A couple of them mentioned Hampsey. Obviously a fit Hampsey be perfect but he hasn't played much football in recent years. Can he still play there or we better going for Teague?

Looking at McKinless at weekend he's a perfect 6. He niggles the player everytime and in their faces and dives to win frees but can break the tackle as well.

[Hand of God]

On the ttm podcast it was mentioned we are missing a strong number 6. A couple of them mentioned Hampsey. Obviously a fit Hampsey be perfect but he hasn't played much football in recent years. Can he still play there or we better going for Teague?

Looking at McKinless at weekend he's a perfect 6. He niggles the player everytime and in their faces and dives to win frees but can break the tackle as well.

I'd like Teague there. Think he has more football to him than Hampsey and he's a good solid defender. Hampsey more at home in the full back line I feel.

[GaelTheGael]

1. Niall Morgan
2. Cormac Quinn
3. Aidan Clarke
4. Niall Devlin
5. Michael McKernan
6. Peter Teague
7. Joey Clarke
8. Brian Kennedy
9. Conn Kilpatrick
10. Conor O'Neill
11. Ruairi Canavan
12. Ronan Cassidy
13. Eoin McElholm
14. Darragh Canavan
15. Ethan Jordan

[NotedObserver]

So leaving out the below, do any of them get in? To be honest looking forward to the next few games to see how we get on.

- Joe Oguz
- Donaghys
- Aidan Clarke
- M Donnelly
- R Brennan
- B McDonnell
- B Cullen
- McGarrity
- McGeary
- McCurry

[Hand of God]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

[loughshore_hallion]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Seems crazy that Tyrone's S&C coach is currently in New Zealand. Not face to face with the players

[cjx]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Seems crazy that Tyrone's S&C coach is currently in New Zealand. Not face to face with the players

Lunacy confused incompetence characterises O'Rourke's tenure. With mess againsts Galway and failure to bring on Errigal subs when Mayo at their mercy leading to totally unnecessary relegation. All blather no plan no backroom worth. Cavan good against Meath at weekend no walk over given the confusion in dispirited Tyrone. Loads of Tyrone college success great u20 for 5 years and virtually nothing to show at senior where they mostly still look like boys with skill.

[W.A.G. Lover]

Quote from: Hand of God on 04/02/2026, 11:02:04I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

This lack of target man is becoming a hot topic in Tyrone. We have an abundance of smaller, agile footballers who are as good as in the country, but we need a strong ball winner, who can also take a score.
Malachy has tried switching Kennedy and Kilpatrick into full forward, but there was a lack of ball going in, plus takes away from our midfield sector which is already struggling with breaking ball.
Matty is a good target, but i dont think he is the foil we are looking for come championship time.

Alot of various names have been threw about over the years including:
•   Lorcan McGarrity - Obvious candidate on the panel already and showed well in the club championship 2025 for Carrickmore
•   Michael Conroy - On the panel also, and the perfect fit for ball winner and scoring, but struggling to find the same space as opposed to intermediate club defenders. Plus does he have the temperament
•   Paul Donaghy - Great ball winner and can take a score, but doesn't seem to be interested in the commitment
•   Matthew Quinn - Another exiting Dungannon attacker and has underage experience with Tyrone
•   Cathal McShane - Been there done it. Not sure if worth trying anymore
•   SeanOg McAleer - Strong ball winner for Gortin and scores alot from play especially 2 pointers, but not sure he would have the commitment
•   Odhran Robinson - Decent outlet for Errigal at FF when they aren't playing through the Canavans, but not overly consistent
•   Conor Cush - Has been around the panel for a few years but hasn't broken through

[ShoresOfTyrone]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Your obsession with McGarrity in FF isn't slacking anyway.

[Hand of God]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Your obsession with McGarrity in FF isn't slacking anyway.

I'm nearly as passionate about it as you are in persisting with a full forward line of little men.

[giveherlong]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Seems crazy that Tyrone's S&C coach is currently in New Zealand. Not face to face with the players

Nothing wrong with Working From Home...

[NotedObserver]

I think McGarrity has to be given a go at FF. The small men aren't working and Kennedy and Donnelly just aren't effective on the square.

After that then we are overstocked with certain players and very short on others. I think we have great competition in the full back line and full forward line but our half forward and half back lines are light.

Serious questions have to be asked about our S&C and this predates Malachys time. When Peter Donnelly was here the physical transformation for young players coming through was huge. I remember the likes of McGeary, Meyler, Rory Brennan, McShabe etc coming straight to the u21s primed and physically ready. McKernan a few years after.

I can barely recall a player stepping out of u20 level in recent years and looking at the physical level and ready made. It took Devlin up until the tail end of last year to look like he adjusted to the top level requirements at the senior intercounty. Ciaran Daly, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Ben Cullen are guys who are all the county panel for a number of years now and just don't seem to have progressed physically so big questions need to be asked about our S&C on how we are way behind sides from other counties in that regard.

Seems crazy that Tyrone's S&C coach is currently in New Zealand. Not face to face with the players

Nothing wrong with Working From Home...

Conor ONeill looks ready which makes a nice change