Dublin v Tyrone Páirc an Chrócaigh Sat 16th March 7pm.

[sbw]

Tyrone against Donegal is going to be massive i think the 2 teams are much closer than some think and it is the standout game of the championship 1st round.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Would be interesting to get a no holes barred interview with Sean Cavanagh on how he is targeted with cynical fouling for the past 5 years.

You'd enjoy that I'd say. 

Kinky, Jinxy! 

[Fuzzman]

Yeah that would make my whole week Jinxy.

Jinxy, would you have any memories of Meath being a tad cynical during the 80's and 90's?

[Redhand Santa]

Always great to beat the Dubs in Croke Park and it means a semi final place is likely. It still shows how tough its going to be to beat them later in the year considering the players they were missing. Tyrone were missing a few though certainly not to the same extent. I'd say if Tyrone are to win the league this year they'll have to beat the Dubs again. Would love to get the chance in a final with their full team out. Its obvious these games are doing far more benefit for Tyrone this year than last years league. Hoping this will be proved come championship.

Was disappointed with McCrory, was glad he wasn't marking Brogan. I've said it a few times now but he really has to start putting more pressure on opponents. Giving up possession and shadowing them at this level isn't enough. I've never been convinced with McCarron at corner back but thought he was very good. Hoping Justy's injury wasn't too serious. If Tyrone could get him properly fit this year would make a big differnece in defence.

Midfield was certainly improved at the weekend. Colm just needs to learn when to pass and improve his own efficiency but he did work very hard. Thought Harte was ok though still has more to offer. The 2 half forwards were quiet. Penrose did ok. Donnelly was our best player and never stopped working. O'Neill is putting in a decent campaign and hopefully can lead to bigger things in the summer.

All in all despite the gloom from some posters last week the season has started off well.

[rrhf]

I'd buy into a fair bit of that, we scored 18 points in croke park v the dubs  although then reality bites and you factor in that it was against a duff Dublin team on half battery. I'll take the win, I think we are punching above our weight but the lads are definitely giving their all.

[Jinxy]

Yeah that would make my whole week Jinxy.

Jinxy, would you have any memories of Meath being a tad cynical during the 80's and 90's?

If anything we weren't cynical enough.

[Redhand Santa]

Meant to say Kane fairly made an impression coming on. 2 great points. Is he even left footed? Maybe he'll get a start this week. He was quiet in the Mayo game but maybe he'll get confidence from this to drive on and prove he can do it from the start.

[tyroneman]

Overall mcCarron had an ok game but his passing was atrocious.

He gave the ball away virtually every time he got his hands on it in the last 10 especially.

Absolute cute hoorism by Gavin. Puts out a 70% team and is in a complete no lose situation. Found it a touch arrogant tbh.

Lack of a shut down corner will cause us big problems later in the summer.

[heffo]

Overall mcCarron had an ok game but his passing was atrocious.

He gave the ball away virtually every time he got his hands on it in the last 10 especially.

Absolute cute hoorism by Gavin. Puts out a 70% team and is in a complete no lose situation. Found it a touch arrogant tbh.

Don't think we were anywhere near 70% but take your point.

Bernard Brogan had played nearly every minute of every game inc railyway cup since January - he needed a rest.

Injuries forced some changes. New lads needed to be tested.

Some counties play their championship team in the O'Byrne cup - all options need to be examined.

The result for Dublin on Saturday means nothing, barring an incredible sequence of results they're in the semi-final either way.

[God14]

Overall mcCarron had an ok game but his passing was atrocious.

He gave the ball away virtually every time he got his hands on it in the last 10 especially.

Absolute cute hoorism by Gavin. Puts out a 70% team and is in a complete no lose situation. Found it a touch arrogant tbh.

Lack of a shut down corner will cause us big problems later in the summer.

I thought McCarron was very good and a genuine contender for MOTM alongside Gormley, Cavanagh & ONeill. He was out in front of his man & won his personal battle hands down. Distribution was decent overall, but there were one or two times where it let him down when he was put under P from the dubs. I think he's much better suited in the corner than in the half back line though. McCrory had a tough night alright, but it must be pointed out he was given the tougher task of the two corner backs.
I agree with you though - the lack of a specialist man marker is a real area of concern. I think we have the men like the McMahons & Conor Clarke who can be expected to compete well with the aerial / muscular type forwards like Michael Murphy & Kieran Donaghy.
I just worry how we will handle the nippy pacy / direct runner types a la Jamie Clarke, Seanie Johnston, Gooch...

Why was Dean McNally omitted from the panel? He was a young fella id hoped over the next 18months or whatever could have developed well and being given that task. Looked good at full back last year for the U21s. Strange one.

[nrico2006]

I am more disappointed at the fact that Coney is injured again as I would liked to have seen him, Ronan O'Neill, McAliskey, Lafferty or McCurry getting more game time because these are the new forwards coming through who are deadly in front of goal and have bags of pace.  Our forward line at the weekend lacks that bit of speed and goal threat.  As mentioned, we are seriously lacking good sticky man markers.

[Fuzzman]

I would imagine both Mickey and Mr Gavin were keen to make it to the semifinals and so with talk of a few niggly injuries to O'Carroll & Brogan I'd say it was the perfect time for him to give a few guys a rest whilst testing a few others against a team that he knew would be a wakeup call for a lot of the new faces. To me it was a smart call by Gavin and one that I wish we'd see Mickey do more of the odd time though we are in a different place than the Dubs.

As Nrico says, it would have been nice to see a bit more of Ronan, McCurry etc though maybe there are injury worries there as well.
Penrose certainly seems to be not putting in the same effort that he used to.

How did people think Block is doing at FB?

[omagh_gael]

Anyone know where I could find highlights of this game? No GAA 2013 on TG4 this week.

[God14]

I downloaded an app on the iphone there, its an offical GAA one - "just play"
Cost me £0.69 but every Tuesday you get highlights of each game. Only 6 or 7 mins highlights on Tyrone / Dublin match right enough, but I would still recommend it.

[omagh_gael]

I downloaded an app on the iphone there, its an offical GAA one - "just play"
Cost me £0.69 but every Tuesday you get highlights of each game. Only 6 or 7 mins highlights on Tyrone / Dublin match right enough, but I would still recommend it.

Im on android and doesn't appear to be available, feck it.