Tyrone v Down - Sun 18th May, Omagh

[ONeill]

Colm Cavanagh with a mystery injury. Young McKenna spiked his tay.

[Fuzzman]

I wonder how many of the 'old guard' will we see return for thus game.
Its strange how things change in that last year we were struggling for score taking forwards whereas this year (hopefully) we seem to have several in McCurry, RoN, Coney, Mattie, Sparky and even SoN coming back.
As many have already said It will be how our defence shapes up and do we have a plan in place. Will Block, Justy and maybe later Joey tighten things up.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Penrose back on our 40 helping out which to be honest I dread but we'll see.
I'd like to see
Morgan
PJ
Justy
McNamee
Clarke
Gormley
McNabb
Cavs x 2 or Joey
Petey
RoN
Mark D
McCurry
Coney
An other...He usually starts each year and plays well

I know I'm forgetting loads but am just awake

[Under Lights]

McNamee said to be out with a shoulder injury.

[Rois]

And no Joe according to the news this morn

[sensethetone]

tyrone have played alot of football this year without joe and mc namee, i think colm cavanagh not fully fit is the big issue for tyrone.

[omagh_gael]

Colm really has been fantastic over the last 2 years and has blunted plenty of sharp tongues in the process. His covering work allowed Sean to shine last year and he'll be a big miss. We need a Sean Cavanagh on full throttle to stand a chance of progressing to latter stages of the AI. Hopefully Colm can shake off the niggle for the Down game.

Will I need a ticket for my 3 year old son for this game?

[rrhf]

In the last 10 seasons Tyrone Down and Donegal have contested 5 out of 10 all Ireland finals. 
Up Ulster!

[Mourne Rover]

Ardtole's predicted Down team looks a reasonable bet in most positions. However, Costello started the last five league games at corner back and has looked increasingly comfortable there. Boyle's pace is an asset at wing half and he may well squeeze out Rooney, who has only had an occasional run. James also likes to groom a fresh face for the championship. Very few people thought Madine would start our first match last summer, but he has certainly nailed down a place now. It would be no surprise if another newcomer appeared in Omagh.

[DownFanatic]

Ardtole's predicted Down team looks a reasonable bet in most positions. However, Costello started the last five league games at corner back and has looked increasingly comfortable there. Boyle's pace is an asset at wing half and he may well squeeze out Rooney, who has only had an occasional run. James also likes to groom a fresh face for the championship. Very few people thought Madine would start our first match last summer, but he has certainly nailed down a place now. It would be no surprise if another newcomer appeared in Omagh.

I'd hazard a punt that Burren's Conor Toner could be in from the start.

[Gaffer]

Colm really has been fantastic over the last 2 years and has blunted plenty of sharp tongues in the process. His covering work allowed Sean to shine last year and he'll be a big miss. We need a Sean Cavanagh on full throttle to stand a chance of progressing to latter stages of the AI. Hopefully Colm can shake off the niggle for the Down game.

Will I need a ticket for my 3 year old son for this game?

  All ticket game!

[whitegoodman]

Ardtole's predicted Down team looks a reasonable bet in most positions. However, Costello started the last five league games at corner back and has looked increasingly comfortable there. Boyle's pace is an asset at wing half and he may well squeeze out Rooney, who has only had an occasional run. James also likes to groom a fresh face for the championship. Very few people thought Madine would start our first match last summer, but he has certainly nailed down a place now. It would be no surprise if another newcomer appeared in Omagh.

I'd hazard a punt that Burren's Conor Toner could be in from the start.

You mightn't be far away with that punt.  I'd also hazard a punt that one of the 6 forwards named by James will def not start !!!!

[ardtole]

I thought about Costello alright, but in general there is not a whole lot of competition for places. Going by Irish News today the Tyrone game will probably be a bit early for OHagan, possibly a role from the bench for him. A bit unfortunate with injuries this year and loss of players for one reason or another. But in the bigger picture bar the top 5/6 counties at most, are players now beginning to priortise other things in their life, given the commitment that is now expected from county players. I think King, McCommiskey and Mallon couldnt commit for career/job reasons and you couldnt blame them.

We might be at a stage were the average player will commit for 5 years at most before standing aside due to the commitment required. There will always be lads too like Benny, laverty, mckernan who are there year in year out but they could become increasingly rare.

[Redhand Santa]

I wonder how many of the 'old guard' will we see return for thus game.
Its strange how things change in that last year we were struggling for score taking forwards whereas this year (hopefully) we seem to have several in McCurry, RoN, Coney, Mattie, Sparky and even SoN coming back.
As many have already said It will be how our defence shapes up and do we have a plan in place. Will Block, Justy and maybe later Joey tighten things up.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Penrose back on our 40 helping out which to be honest I dread but we'll see.
I'd like to see
Morgan
PJ
Justy
McNamee
Clarke
Gormley
McNabb
Cavs x 2 or Joey
Petey
RoN
Mark D
McCurry
Coney
An other...He usually starts each year and plays well

I know I'm forgetting loads but am just awake

We've struggled with our work rate and ball winning ability in half forward line so I'd be happy enough to see Penrose start there. I also think Ronan O'Neill may be better suited to 15 coming out. Looking forward to seeing him as sounds like he's hit form at right time. If Coney can stay fit it must be the first time he's entered championship fit and ready to start.

You forgot to add Mattie Donnelly into your team. Also it sounds like McNamee is out injured and can't see Justy being up to speed just yet to start. So expect McBride to be full back. The corners appear to be a battle between PJ, McKenna and McRory. Carlin could have an outside chance but it appears unlikely based on the league. I think your full back line could be the best option if all fit.

[Fuzzman]

Can't believe I missed Mattie but I knew I was missing a few others.

Despite the fact that we're all worried about our defensive capabilities if everyone was fit we've quite a bit of strength in depth now

Possible defenders pushing for a starting place
McGinley
McBride
Tierney
Carlin
Ryan McKenna
McCrory
McCann

Possible forwards pushing for a starting place
Penrose   (I suspect Mickey will use him a lot this year to bolster the defence)
McAliskey (Seems to have fallen down the pecking order now that Coney is on form)
N.McKenna (I fear another frustrating season but who knows)
S.McGuigan (Personally I don't think he has done enough as yet to deserve his place)
PJ Lavery (Didn't get many chances in the league but I'd like to see more of him)
McNeice (Sorry Paddy but I can never see why you get so much chances compared to some)
Grugan (talented player but still to light for MF but maybe a sub CF or HF sub)
SoN (I think (biasedly) Stevie can maybe be our supersub this year & great man if he's not treble marked)


Being honest and not cutehooristic I think we will beat Down with a bit to spare. Of course MF again could be our downfall and the days of our half backs & HFs making up for a weak MF are long gone I fear. I really wish Joey would play there more but yes we'll miss Colm if he's out
I can see Penrose/Sparky and Petey playing wing forward so they can drop back like last year.

I think Mickey has got his reaction from the fans that he wanted during the league in that he tried the open style and yes we played much nicer football and hit big scores but it has made us all worried about going man to man and so he has the licence to revert to a defensive system again.
Then again who knows what Mickey will do from game to game.

I would be interested to hear what people's best starting 15 would be and maybe why you pick some people over others.
Lets say everyone was fit including Joey, Justy & Stevie.

[Redhand Santa]

If everyone was fully fit I think my team would look something like this:
Morgan
PJ Quinn
Justy
McNamee
McNabb
Gormley
Harte
Colm C
Joe Mc
Sean C
Mattie D (Playing deeper role running at defenses and leaving room for Ronan O'Neill to come out into)
Penrose
McCurry
Stevie O'Neill (assuming could get back on first half of last years form)
Ronan O'Neill

People would probably question some positions there but numbers on the team don't necessarily mean they'd play there. Joe would sit back round the centre of defence with Sean C spending good bit of time round the middle. If that team was fully fit and players on form it would give the All Ireland a rattle. However, as has been seen in recent years this is very unlikely. Of that team Justy, Joe, McNabb and O'Neill struggle to be consistently fit.

If they were fit it would leave great options on the bench like Clarke, Coney, McAliskey, Mark D etc.