Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[God14]

I feel like this is the first time in a long time that proper trials have been done, all the best players in the county (bar Paul Donaghy whom doesnt want it) are in Malachy's 45 man roster.
I genuinely think he doesnt know his best 15 either, which makes it very interesting.

[Goals_Will_Come]

I feel like this is the first time in a long time that proper trials have been done, all the best players in the county (bar Paul Donaghy whom doesnt want it) are in Malachy's 45 man roster.
I genuinely think he doesnt know his best 15 either, which makes it very interesting.

Panel being cut to 35 after McKenna Cup/Prior to the League start.

[tiempo]

I feel like this is the first time in a long time that proper trials have been done, all the best players in the county (bar Paul Donaghy whom doesnt want it) are in Malachy's 45 man roster.
I genuinely think he doesnt know his best 15 either, which makes it very interesting.

He should have a very good idea of 8-10 certain starters with an open mind to 5 or 6, but who they are and for what reasons could fundamentally change the setup and shape, which he'll obviously be fully aware of

If they go well he'll be lauded, if they underachieve he'll be considered clueless. I personally don't think Tyrone are quite AI contenders this year, the defence and MF are A1, the inside fw line is A1, 10 and 12 we've no bothers assuming its O'Donnell and Daly - the problem is 11, someone who is given less defensive responsibility, who is totally there to create and score is the big item to address, Ruairi Canavan definitely an option, not a whole pile of others who stand out in that mould

I'd consider McElholm a year or 2 early as well, possible future Brian McGuigan level, impact sub role for 2026 as he's pure greased lightening

No Dalaigh Jones then?

[Goals_Will_Come]

I feel like this is the first time in a long time that proper trials have been done, all the best players in the county (bar Paul Donaghy whom doesnt want it) are in Malachy's 45 man roster.
I genuinely think he doesnt know his best 15 either, which makes it very interesting.

He should have a very good idea of 8-10 certain starters with an open mind to 5 or 6, but who they are and for what reasons could fundamentally change the setup and shape, which he'll obviously be fully aware of

If they go well he'll be lauded, if they underachieve he'll be considered clueless. I personally don't think Tyrone are quite AI contenders this year, the defence and MF are A1, the inside fw line is A1, 10 and 12 we've no bothers assuming its O'Donnell and Daly - the problem is 11, someone who is given less defensive responsibility, who is totally there to create and score is the big item to address, Ruairi Canavan definitely an option, not a whole pile of others who stand out in that mould

I'd consider McElholm a year or 2 early as well, possible future Brian McGuigan level, impact sub role for 2026 as he's pure greased lightening

No Dalaigh Jones then?

Morgan
McKernan
Niall Devlin
Conn Kilpatrick
Brian Kennedy
Ciaran Daly
Darragh Canavan
Darren McCurry

That would be the only players I would say are nailed on guaranteed starters. Mattie Donnelly, Kieran McGeary and Paudie Hampsey probably also fall into this for 2026. I would disagree on Seanie O'Donnell, I think he is more natural  at wing back coming onto the play. I feel we need a third midfielder option or two operating at 11 and 12. And going by the profile of the players called up it looks like MO'R is trying to get that type of player into his half forward line.

[Hand of God]

I feel like this is the first time in a long time that proper trials have been done, all the best players in the county (bar Paul Donaghy whom doesnt want it) are in Malachy's 45 man roster.
I genuinely think he doesnt know his best 15 either, which makes it very interesting.

He should have a very good idea of 8-10 certain starters with an open mind to 5 or 6, but who they are and for what reasons could fundamentally change the setup and shape, which he'll obviously be fully aware of

If they go well he'll be lauded, if they underachieve he'll be considered clueless. I personally don't think Tyrone are quite AI contenders this year, the defence and MF are A1, the inside fw line is A1, 10 and 12 we've no bothers assuming its O'Donnell and Daly - the problem is 11, someone who is given less defensive responsibility, who is totally there to create and score is the big item to address, Ruairi Canavan definitely an option, not a whole pile of others who stand out in that mould

I'd consider McElholm a year or 2 early as well, possible future Brian McGuigan level, impact sub role for 2026 as he's pure greased lightening

No Dalaigh Jones then?

Morgan
McKernan
Niall Devlin
Conn Kilpatrick
Brian Kennedy
Ciaran Daly
Darragh Canavan
Darren McCurry

That would be the only players I would say are nailed on guaranteed starters. Mattie Donnelly, Kieran McGeary and Paudie Hampsey probably also fall into this for 2026. I would disagree on Seanie O'Donnell, I think he is more natural  at wing back coming onto the play. I feel we need a third midfielder option or two operating at 11 and 12. And going by the profile of the players called up it looks like MO'R is trying to get that type of player into his half forward line.

I'd have question marks on McCurry and Daly there and I think I would have Teague in there as a nailed on starter on last year's form.

McCurry had some very disappointing outings last year v Kerry and Dublin. Not sure how well himself and Canavan work together as an inside duo as they are both small, skilful players so would probably rather a target man in there to feed off. I think I'd like to see a full forward line or Conroy, McGarrity, Canavan in the league.

Daly improved last year but still blows hot and cold too much for me. He'll probably start but will need to improve for me.

I'd like something like the following for the league:

Morgan

Clarke
Hampsey
Devlin

McKernan
Teague
O'Donnell

Kennedy
Kilpatrick

M Donnelly
R Canavan
C Donaghy

Conroy
McGarrity
D Canavan

Bolded ones being locked in starters.

Potential bench then of:

O'Kane
Cormac Quinn
Cullen
R Brennan
J Clarke
McDonnell
Oguz
Daly
McElhom
McCurry
Cassidy

Have I any glaring omissions there? McGeary hopefully about later on in the year to come in too.
I'd keep O'Neill and McCullaghs involvement fairly limited until such time as they have their u20 commitments out of the way.

[square_ball]

I wouldn't mind seeing McCurry in an impact sub type of role. I think he could do some serious damage coming on with 20 minutes to go.

[tiempo]

I think he's a year away from that, hope he stays on as long as possible like another 3-4 years to help bring McCullagh and others through, if CB and Malachy can find a flexible approach to non-starters playing club games and he's getting football regardless then it would be great to have him inspiring lads for a few more years, as Matty D is currently doing, provided the fire is still burning

[Goals_Will_Come]

Will be interesting to see how Malachy selects his forwards. Darragh is obviously a nailed on starter and so is McCurry - we are some team if he is not a starter. The way Mattie has started this season also suggests he will be a starter. It will be very hard to justify not starting McElholm considering how big a talent he is. Ciaran Daly is also more or less nailed on at wing forward as well.

[God14]

For me, only Darragh and McElholm are nailed on starters. The other 4 positions are up for grabs because of the amount of genuine quality options that are available

Id say it depends as much on tactics, as well as chemistry & balance on the team, for the remaining spots

Last year our full forward line didn't really function as we would have hoped. Philly McMahon summed it up best when he said that despite winning plenty of ball in front of them, Darragh and McCurry just couldnt get "separation" from their opposing marker. They are quick but not rapid. Nor do they have the physical strength to shrug off a marker

Conroy and McGarrity offer size and ball winning ability that wasn't there last year

McElholm is absolutely rapid and his pace sets him apart on the panel

Id like to see McCurry get a run at 11 for a while, he always has the head up and has the weight of a pass.
Our half forward line didnt have a great scoring return last year.

We need to find a balance of fetching clean ball on kickouts, scavenging for breaking ball on the ground, whilst offering a scoring threat. Easier said than done, and over to Malachy on that one.

[tiempo]

Conor O'Neill looks to be at ease in his first few outings, could surprise a few and push hard for a start, very silky, if we could find a John Maher type for CHF we'd be flying, appreciate he's young and yet to fill out completely but looks to have a very high ceiling

[Hand of God]

You probably have place for 2 small forwards starting together in that team I think. 1 in the inside line and the other at 11.

Darragh is definitely the inside man and you probably have Ruairi, McElholm and McCurry battling it out for the 11 jersey.

I think we need a ball winner like McGarrity in there and another scorer who can win a bit of ball. Conroy is the standout option there.

I get that McCurry is a classy operator but our attack was toothless against Dublin and relied on 2 pointers from Harte, McGeary, Teague at etc to get the job done.

It's not a case of ability, it's a case of balance and we can only afford one small player inside and that's Darragh. McCurry could be put at 11 or else and option off the bench when the game opens up.

Out forward line should be:

1 hybrid midfielder (Oguz, McHugh, O'Neill, C Donaghy) at wing forward
1 creative centre forward at 11 (McElholm, R Canavan, McCurry)
1 workhorse wing forward who can contribute on scoreboard (Daly, O'Donnell, Donnelly, Gormley)
Darragh (McElholm, R Canavan, McCurry)
1 target man forward (McGarrity, Donnelly, Conroy)
1 scoring forward capable of winning own ball (Conroy, McCurry, Jordan, McCullagh, Cassidy, McElholm)

[tiempo]

McCurry at 11 forces the opposition into planning for damage further out likely easing the heat on the inside men, as you say he has a very good range of passing and has laid on plenty of scores for Darragh, maybe thats where they tandem best

[Hand of God]

McCurry at 11 forces the opposition into planning for damage further out likely easing the heat on the inside men, as you say he has a very good range of passing and has laid on plenty of scores for Darragh, maybe thats where they tandem best

Would also say that is probably where Ruairi Canavan would be best at. Thought he did the role well v Armagh last week

[NotedObserver]

Morgan

Clarke
Brennan
Devlin

Mckernan
Teague
Cullen

Conn
Kennedy

Daly
E Mcelholm/ R Canavan
Ronan Cassidy/c donaghy

Mattie D
Mcgarrity
D Canavan

[samuel maguire]

Are we all just going to ignore the massive elephant in the room with al this talk of Hampsey returning?

I think the man has alot more on his plate to deal with first.