McKenna Cup Final - Tyrone v Derry

[Maguire01]

What does the Derry and the Tyrone boys think of the Athletic Grounds?

just back from it. wud say armagh have the best setup in ulster

Seriously, is it that good?

If it's a crooked stand you're looking for, it's hard to beat.

[fitzroyalty]

Is it not the pitch that is on a slant or is it both?

[saffron sam2]

Was out walking the dog, saw the floodlights in the Athletic Grounds, so decided to amble in. A few thoughts on the game.

1. Derry supporter seemed to be outnumbered about 4324 - 1.
2. Tyrone lined out for the throw-in with seven backs and five forwards, Derry going for the traditional six of each approach.
2. Lot of off the ball nonsense before the ball was thrown in, particularly involving John Cavanagh and Owen Mulligan and their respective markers who I didn't recognise (#s 4 and 7). How only the number 7 was booked, I don't know.
3. It may have been the referee introducing his policy (which he maintained throughout the game) of booking Derry men for indiscretions, but not booking Tyrone men for identical fouls.
4. I hope the same referee isn't down for the Antrim - Tyrone league match as he seemed in awe of the big names on the Tyrone team.
5. Kavanagh does a good impression of Christ the Redeemer when he feels he has been wronged by officialdom (Cavanagh that is, not the statue).
6. Bradley looked sharp, but I thought Harte was unnecessarily harsh with his early changes in the full back line.
7. The languid Muldoon still has a touch of class, finishing his goal well, hitting a massive point towards the end and generally pulling Derry out of a biggish hole round the middle of the field.
8. Which is a bit concerning for Derry given that he is nearly 40.
9. Despite the intricacies of the short passing game, 75% of the goals came from high balls dropped in and around the square.
10. A strange guttural noise enveloped the Athletic Grounds at stages of the second half. It sounded like "Ty-rone, Ty-rone".
11. Grown men appeared to be making the sound.
12. It had died out by the final whistle.
13. It was unedifying to see a former All-Star trying to lift the grievously injured James Conway back to his feet moments before he was carried off on a stretcher. A despicable action.
14. Same boy seemed to spend his whole time trying to rile the opposition into retaliating and getting themselves sent off, for example booting the ball against a prostrate player after a free had been awarded to the Derryman (who I didn't recognise).
15. And giving the referee back chat and kicking the ball into the crowd when he was penalised (wrongly in my opinion) for picking the ball of the ground.
15. How Brian McGuigan didn't get a straight red for what looked like a clear dig to the midriff is something only the officials know.
16. It would have been his second in under a month.
17. Good to see the McMahons and Stevie O'Neill all introduced in the second half.
18. Derry red card seemed clear cut, although everyone in the ground knew exactly what was going to happen three seconds before it did.
19. It was a sort of deja vu thing.
20. It was an entertaining game for the neutral.
21. Athletic Grounds looked quite impressive, but ball stops could have been deployed directly behind the goals.
22. The dog wasn't overly keen on the game though.

[rrhf]

This man must read a lot of Paddy Heaneys stuff, very similar sense of humour.  Well done sir...

[omagh_gael]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

[saffron sam2]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

Ulster League match against Ballyholland apparently.

[Radda bout yeee]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

What big sean complaining to the ref!!!! Well i've heard it all now - never seen him at that! lol 

[Final Whistle]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

What big sean complaining to the ref!!!! Well i've heard it all now - never seen him at that! lol 

Scored 1-5, Christ I think that is two weeks in a row. And there were some on here that were retiring him not so long ago. Ah well, if he scores 1-5 in every game then I'd accept a bit of verbals to the ref!!!!


Yerrrrrroooooo!!!!


Radda bout ye, how did Fran, Frank and Des get on-did they win the jackpot??? 

[Radda bout yeee]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

What big sean complaining to the ref!!!! Well i've heard it all now - never seen him at that! lol 

Scored 1-5, Christ I think that is two weeks in a row. And there were some on here that were retiring him not so long ago. Ah well, if he scores 1-5 in every game then I'd accept a bit of verbals to the ref!!!!


Yerrrrrroooooo!!!!


Radda bout ye, how did Fran, Frank and Des get on-did they win the jackpot??? 

Don't start on me i was just agreeing with saffron and omagh gael that big sean does alot of yappin - i really shouldn't have bothered stating the obvious considering he's from Moy!!! Sorry!!!

[Final Whistle]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

What big sean complaining to the ref!!!! Well i've heard it all now - never seen him at that! lol 

Scored 1-5, Christ I think that is two weeks in a row. And there were some on here that were retiring him not so long ago. Ah well, if he scores 1-5 in every game then I'd accept a bit of verbals to the ref!!!!


Yerrrrrroooooo!!!!


Radda bout ye, how did Fran, Frank and Des get on-did they win the jackpot??? 

Don't start on me i was just agreeing with saffron and omagh gael that big sean does alot of yappin - i really shouldn't have bothered stating the obvious considering he's from Moy!!! Sorry!!!

For once....... I agree!

But would you rather him or someone who registers 0-00 and shows no emotion?

[Radda bout yeee]

Is point 16 correct? Can't remember him being sent off before this year, Gormley and C Cavanagh have seen red in Sligo and Donegal (McKenna cup) respectively.

Agree with point 5 though, thon carry on is embarrassing.

What big sean complaining to the ref!!!! Well i've heard it all now - never seen him at that! lol 

Scored 1-5, Christ I think that is two weeks in a row. And there were some on here that were retiring him not so long ago. Ah well, if he scores 1-5 in every game then I'd accept a bit of verbals to the ref!!!!


Yerrrrrroooooo!!!!


Radda bout ye, how did Fran, Frank and Des get on-did they win the jackpot??? 

Don't start on me i was just agreeing with saffron and omagh gael that big sean does alot of yappin - i really shouldn't have bothered stating the obvious considering he's from Moy!!! Sorry!!!

For once....... I agree!

But would you rather him or someone who registers 0-00 and shows no emotion?

ohhh SC is tyrones best player when he's on song and his head is right but its not great to watch him run about like a spoilt brat at times. But your right if he keeps scoring 1-5 a game i could let it go but i reckon his overall attitude could improve which would help tyrones campaign this year and the most important thing to sean - his image!

[nothingbettertobeat]

I Feel its Time to Give the Young players the chance to impress as much as it pains me to say itConor Gormely and Enda McGinleys days as the first names on the team sheet are over im not saying get rid of them but we have been exposed in recent years with our lack of pace in Croke Park and to have to watch it all over again this season is hard to bare.
Personally id Call up Mattie Donnelly and Ciaran McGinley. both Players have been consistantly good players for their clubs over the past 24 months and have had a vital role in UUJ securing a Sigerson Final birth. I also believe that our Midfield is not good enough we havent anybody like  Brian Dooher who will put his body on the line to win that vital breaking ball.
I Feel our Defence is exposed way too easy we have conceded way too much in the McKenna Cup and league so far and i feel its our only last hope that to Put Both McMahons in the defence to boost it up a bit and also Wait on Phillip Jordan.

Plus i feel that Tyrone arent nowhere near fit, there trainers must take some of the blame.
they should book a week of work and be sent to milatary training camp down in Dublin to move them on a bit fitness wise before we end up relegated.
I know Ciaran McGinley is out of position he normally plays half back or half forward but hes the only man that has raw speed that be good enough technically to deal with the fastest forwards about.

PASCAL MCCONNELL

JOE MCMAHON JUSTIN MCMAHON  CIARAN MCGINLEY

DAVY HARTE  RYAN MCMENAMIN PHILLIP JORDAN

NIALL MCKENNA KEVIN HUGHES

MARTIN PENROSE BRIAN MCGUIGAN SEAN CAVANAGH

OWEN MULLIGAN STEVIE ONEILL MATTIE DONNELLY

[HiMucker]

Tell me your not serious about the week off work?  Amateur games played by exceptional athletes but still they are amateurs.  Is Mickey Hartes philosophy not "you need to be fit to come to training, not come to training to get fit"

[blewuporstuffed]

Tell me your not serious about the week off work?  Amateur games played by exceptional athletes but still they are amateurs.  Is Mickey Hartes philosophy not "you need to be fit to come to training, not come to training to get fit"

jesus lads,
its march, and alot of teh preseason work was disrupted as we well know. a bit early to be assessing the squads fitness!!

[HiMucker]

Im not assessing it.  I would be in your corner on this one