Tyrone County Football and Hurling

[ONeill]

We'll know in a few weeks time if this is a hunger problem or if the management have tailored them for a Championship peak.

There have been some good signs...against Monaghan, first half against Donegal, second halves v Dubs and Armagh. Just not sustained.

[Under Lights]

I certainly worry about hunger, certainly didn't see much of it or urgency yesterday, bar Canavan. Could be gone in a few after winning an AI. Players leaving panel also takes stuffing out of others.

[Redhand Santa]

Brutal first half and a very poor league so far. But wouldn't be hitting the panic button just yet. To be fair to the management team they timed the run perfectly last year. So I think we have to put some trust in them that it's a few months down the line the real focus is on. I'd have been as harsh as anyone on them last year after Killarney but look at what happened after that.

I don't think anyone wants to get relegated though and we are in a very difficult place. You'd like to see some sort of reaction next week because in league terms it is must win. Really don't want to be heading to Killarney relying on two points.

[square_ball]

Kerry may well be qualified for a league final by the time that game comes in Killarney though Jack O'Connor will probably look to twist the knife if he can relegate Tyrone in that match.

Our first 15 is obviously a match for anyone but so many times last season it was our bench that swung the big games. This year we don't have that luxury and I think that is my main concern at the minute.

[Tyrone11234]

We lack an out and out scoring forward- mccurry is the next best thing but last year we relied on a number of different boys to kick 2 or 3 points. Hopefully we are set up come championship time

[Christmas Lights]

I think we need Canavan closer to goals to offer more of a scoring threat, hes always too far out the field when he gets the ball to have an impact on the score board.

Also, he should be hitting frees.  Cathal McShane is not near a free taker, not at all.

[Taylor]

Yesterday was a shit show from start to finish.

At the beginning of the league it was understandable that we would take a while to get up to speed given the later start for the players.

But yesterday showed we are completely disjointed.

The dive for the red card was completely embarassing but why give the referee the chance to send you off? Stupid in the extreme.

McKernan could have had a red shortly after for that punch - again stupid.

I have a lot of time for McShane but he is going through a very bad patch of form.

Morgan had a number of brain farts yesterday but he is still one of the best in the country.

We need to play McCurry & Canavan up top and get them to stay up top - when they are playing further out the field we have no targets in the scoring zone that can show for and win the ball.

[trueblue1234]

We lack an out and out scoring forward- mccurry is the next best thing but last year we relied on a number of different boys to kick 2 or 3 points. Hopefully we are set up come championship time

If McCurry isn't been double or triple marked he can without doubt be a out and out scoring forward. But we need men around him to step up and give us more options.
McShane takes time to get into his best form. I don't think we have an option other than to persevere. We need him at full throttle in the summer. And when he's on form, he can be unmarkable. He's the difference in winning an AI or not imo.

[JimStynes]

Some comedown for McKenna now that the pro lifestyle has well and truly gone. He must surely miss the good weather and not having to do anything else but train each day. Now he's running about in baltic weather midweek and sitting on the sub bench at weekends. Hopefully he gets his hunger back as he is a player I love to watch.

[rrhf]

We need to play McCurry & Canavan up top and get them to stay up top - when they are playing further out the field we have no targets in the scoring zone that can show for and win the ball.
Best point of the lot there.  I think it is the starting point is keeping the lads inside and trying to show a threat at that end of the field.

[Tyrone11234]

Canavan isn't really a finisher though- he's better out from the goal creating attacks and spraying balls into the inside men.

[God14]

With the forwards so badly out of form, as well as 3 experienced heads dropping off the panel (RON, Bradley & Lee Brennan)
.....I wonder would the management be tempted to have a chat with McAliskey?
Id certainly be happier to see him spring from the bench rather than some of the inexperienced forward options we currently have.
He did leave on good terms, and wouldnt miss much football with Clonoe the way the season is set up from here on

[NotedObserver]

What sort of time player is conroy? T McCann and mark Bradley are the 2 names that jump out that would help. In form Michael Cassidy has plenty to offer as well

[TyroneOnlooker]

What sort of time player is conroy? T McCann and mark Bradley are the 2 names that jump out that would help. In form Michael Cassidy has plenty to offer as well

Of the guys that left, I think T McCann, Cassidy and Bradley could offer something from the bench. They obviously weren't happy to fulfill that role though. Wouldn't be asking McAliskey back, a great servant but not sure he'd offer anything more at this stage than the likes of Donaghy or Conroy. On Conroy, he certainly looks handy at club level. Whether that can be transferred to county level remains to be seen but he deserves a chance.

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

I thought there were some encouraging signs in the second half on Sunday. It has been a poor league campaign but it was obvious from the start that we were coming into it from a different place and noticeably behind with preparation compared to a few other sides. Whether or not that's the right call time will tell, but management are in credit and it's their decision.

I did think we were showing some progress but the second half against Donegal was hopeless, then on Sunday we were blown out of the water first half. Dublin with their line up and approach had clearly targeted this as the game when they were going to take their own league campaign up a few notches - and I'd say they used the fact they were going to the AI champions as motivation that they really needed given their season so far. Tyrone didn't cope with the situation at all. When Hampsey went off it looked extremely bleak but several men then did stand up and winning the second half by four points offered encouragement. We must build on that in the remaining two league games.

I'd keep Canavan further out, he is a creator more than a finisher at this stage. Indeed, the only slight concern I have is the number of chances he has missed. And I'd give McKenna the next two games too, he looked busy when he came on. Ideally I'd like to have used this league to find out how best to deploy McKenna, McShane and Canavan. Those were the three from last summer who contributed but we knew were capable of more. Solve that and the whole team goes up another level.