AISF Aug 23rd Tyrone v Cork

[Zulu]

Fuzzman I'd say a lot of Cork people woulddn't have either midfielder starting and O'Connor is definitely questioned by many. I think Murphy is a fine ball winner but he just isn't able to handle the type of physicality that Tyrone or Dara O'Se (for example) bring. O'Neill on the otherhand thrives on it and I'd bring him out there. Other than Tyrone or Kerry I'd start Murphy but against those two I'd have serious question marks over him and I'd have Fintan Goold starting there either way.

[under the bar]

Lower Cusack and Lower Hogan tickets now available as family section.   There must be a poor run on ticket sales.

[ziggysego]

Can anyone else see Brian McGuigan starting on Sunday, or is more suited as an impact sub to steady the team?

[Fuzzman]

Big Joe disagrees with you Zulu as thinks they're the best MF in the country.
I haven't saw enough of them to comment this year.

Snout could start but more likely see him for final 20 mins if we're winning or half time if we're losing.

I hope Dooher has a better game this time. He seems to have got a little careless with his passing and giving away possession to easily. Still he can stand up and be counted and take his score when given the chance. His game has certainly changed.

I can see Cork targeted Jordan, Davey & PJ should he start.
I wonder who Mickey will see as the weak links in the Cork defence.

[INDIANA]

Big Joe disagrees with you Zulu as thinks they're the best MF in the country.
I haven't saw enough of them to comment this year.

Snout could start but more likely see him for final 20 mins if we're winning or half time if we're losing.

I hope Dooher has a better game this time. He seems to have got a little careless with his passing and giving away possession to easily. Still he can stand up and be counted and take his score when given the chance. His game has certainly changed.

I can see Cork targeted Jordan, Davey & PJ should he start.
I wonder who Mickey will see as the weak links in the Cork defence.

The biggest strength in the Cork team is also their biggest weakness. The propensity of the Cork halfbacks to attack all the time leaves their full back line wide open. You can't do that in Croke Park.
I can't see Cork winning on Sunday. I really can't. I think Cork will win the big one sooner rather than later. As good as the likes of young O Neill are this is a different ball game.
People give out about the Cork half forward line - I don't. My idea of wing forwards in the modern game are good athletes, ability to win breaks and link the play and kick a point or two most games . Wing forwards are never going to score 1-5 against a good side. The likes of Kerrigan and O Neill are exactly what the modern game demands. You still see the likes of Galway and Dublin arseing around with lovely skillful footballers in the half forward line- thats no use in the modern game. Dooher doesn't rack up huge scores but he's at the hub of everything Tyrone do.
I think Cork half forwards will do fine- its the half backs I worry about. Cork must not get drawn into an open on Sunday. If they do -they will lose.

[Zulu]

Big Joe disagrees with you Zulu as thinks they're the best MF in the country.

While these things are a matter of opinion and you can make an argument for the quality of the Cork midfield, they are no way near the best in the country and if I didn't know who the author was I'd say he hasn't a clue. The Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Monaghan, Derry and Tyrone all have better midfields probably one or two more.

[INDIANA]

Big Joe disagrees with you Zulu as thinks they're the best MF in the country.

While these things are a matter of opinion and you can make an argument for the quality of the Cork midfield, they are no way near the best in the country and if I didn't know who the author was I'd say he hasn't a clue. The Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Monaghan, Derry and Tyrone all have better midfields probably one or two more.

I doubt it Zulu based on the game I've watched. Cork destroyed the Kerry midfield. Think O Connor and Murphy are unfairly maligned at times. Earley is the best midfielder in Ireland and John Galvin would have about 4 allstars if he was playing with a top county. I don't think Cork will play against a better midfield than the Limerick one this year. No disgrace that day. The biggest problem Cork had against Limerick is that Limerick didn't let them play.

[Zulu]

Cork destroyed the Kerry midfield.

An underperforming midfield with an unfit Dara O'Se, sure Quirke started the first day.

The biggest problem Cork had against Limerick is that Limerick didn't let them play.

That's too simplistic, Limerick played their own game also and should have won but Cork were missing O'Leary, Miskella and Lynch which are all very important players, two of whom are in the half back line.

[Rois]

Lower Hogan, 329, lower part.  Any protectors available in the vicinity this Sunday? 

[ziggysego]

Lower Hogan, 329, lower part.  Any protectors available in the vicinity this Sunday?

I'm in the Lower Cusack. Send up a flare and I'll come racing across the pitch to you!

[rrhf]

Ya wee rooster ye Ziggy. 

[loughshore lad]

Can anyone else see Brian McGuigan starting on Sunday, or is more suited as an impact sub to steady the team?

It is possible he could start but I think he will be kept in reserve.  He gives the team a massive lift when he comes on and is such an outlet for the other players as they have have great faith in giving him the ball.

I hope Dooher has a better game this time. He seems to have got a little careless with his passing and giving away possession to easily. Still he can stand up and be counted and take his score when given the chance. His game has certainly changed.
I can see Cork targeted Jordan, Davey & PJ should he start.
I wonder who Mickey will see as the weak links in the Cork defence.

Dooher won a mountain of ball against Kildare and for a man who missed so much of the year covered some ground and put in so many tackles.  His passing may have been off at times but thats probably more to do with how little football he has played.  At the start of the game when Kildare were threatening to build a lead he went and demanded the ball from a kickout and ended up getting Tyrone's opening point, that sums him up.  I wouldnt be overly concerned about him, he usually delivers when its needed.

Cork could try and target the 3 lads you have highlighted but on the other hand Tyrone will be doing the same to Cork.

[rrhf]

This is some challenge boyz and girl, the stomachs already in knots. 

[ziggysego]

Cork could try and target the 3 lads you have highlighted but on the other hand Tyrone will be doing the same to Cork.

Armagh targetted key men in the first round of the Ulster Championship, others stepped up. Cork should play to their own strenghts first, as that is what troubles Tyrone the most. Not that I'm suggesting Cork should

[Fuzzman]

Do ye reckon PJ will survive or will Mickey give him another chance?

I'd say if Mickey thought that Sean O'Neill was better than him he would have been ruthless and made the change by now.

This time last year we were all singing McCullaghs praises. No sign of him this year at all. Mustn't be cutting it at training but then again suppose SON, Penrose and Mugsy have tied down those positions well this year and we have a left footed free taker in SON.

Bought 2 tickets yesterday from the office in Dorset St & the young lad said that only the Upper Cusack is open so far but they've only sold about a thousand of those. With the weather not looking good for the weekend you could see a lot of people waiting until the day to decide.