Tyrone v Down Ulster Championship First Round 8th June 2008

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Down scored four goals against us in 2003 in the first drawn game, that they only scored two today represents a 100% improvement! Can't be that bad eh?! 

Would that not be a 50% improvement?

2003 was 100% worse than today, so today must be 100% improvement (desperately seeking positives, tread carefully please  ).

[ziggysego]

Still think it's only a 50% improvement, of sorts.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Still think it's only a 50% improvement, of sorts.

If you want to be implacably negative Ziggy, that's entirely up to you, but leave me alone with my positivity! 

[ONeill]

SOS TO STEPHEN O'NEILL

Every fear we had was realised today. Without O'Neill, Canavan and Mulligan we have a very average full forward line. Holmes and Hughes are no better than they were 2 years ago but seem to be the best of what we have available.

Tyrone did look impressive early on but Down were seriously slow out of the traps and seemed nervous. Penrose was impressive for much of the game and McCullagh worked hard in the second half, dropping deep to start moves - but we've no target men.

Defensively, we didn't do too badly. Apart from Coulter's (own) goal, did any other Down forward score? Dan Gordan had a free run at it today and it was embarrassing to watch. Cavanagh was completely wasted and I think won one ball although if he was injured then that's understandable. Dooher started impressively, although you could say that about most of the side. That's the thing - 8 to ten of our players are good enough to drive us to silverware, but we simply cannot survive without a freetaker. Tyrone in 03 and 05 scored a serious amount of converted frees, usually won by O'Neill, Canavan and Mulligan. Now, any free awarded over 30m out is played sort, or simply missed! I cannot believe Mickey hasn't addressed this. Or perhaps his hands are tied. Can you afford to carry an average footballer for simply his free-taking ability? Is there any one on the bench who fulfills that criteria?

We were lucky enough to escape. I thought McComiskey was fouled at the end. If he starts on Saturday night we're in for a long night. Well done Dan Gordan - his all-round play was wonderful to watch at times.

SOS TO STEPHEN O'NEILL

[Maguire01]

Down scored four goals against us in 2003 in the first drawn game, that they only scored two today represents a 100% improvement! Can't be that bad eh?! 

Would that not be a 50% improvement?

2003 was 100% worse than today, so today must be 100% improvement (desperately seeking positives, tread carefully please  ).

It is only a 50% improvement.  If you had scored 2 goals one day and 4 the next, that would be a 100% improvement.  To go from 4 to 2 makes it 50%.  

[corn02]

I see SON was an interesed spectaor, I wonder did he regret it watching some of the terrible shot choices.

[ziggysego]

He was sitting behind a mate of mine. More likely thinking lucky escape.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Down scored four goals against us in 2003 in the first drawn game, that they only scored two today represents a 100% improvement! Can't be that bad eh?! 

Would that not be a 50% improvement?

2003 was 100% worse than today, so today must be 100% improvement (desperately seeking positives, tread carefully please  ).

It is only a 50% improvement.  If you had scored 2 goals one day and 4 the next, that would be a 100% improvement.  To go from 4 to 2 makes it 50%.  

Not talking about scoring, but talking about conceding: today's concession of two goals represents an improvement of 100% (of today's tally of conceded goals) compared that tally of four goals conceded in 2003. It depends entirely on the angle of view, so no matter how much you try to convince me otherwise, I'm immovably stuck on 100%, so you can save your keystrokes. 

[thewobbler]

Truly a game of two halves.

In the first half Down's half-back line crucified their team by continually bombing forward and continually giving the ball away. The space Tyrone's full-forward line were getting was criminal; i felt sorry for Howard and Murney.

All of the subs made an impact, but Ambrose was the crucial difference, as he was ast his brilliant best. Dan Gordon was supreme throughout, but we kept them penned in for the first 25 mins of the second half because McConnell had no options when going long, Down were simply rampant in winning the ball back.

Other points. Wee Sexton had a magnificent second half. Down's shape improved dramatically when Doyle moved to centre-back. Down should forget the long ball tactic and play a fast-moving handpassing game, as it suits their players better. McComiskey has the potential to be an all-time great.

[Shortso79]

Had Down much support in Omagh ?

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Yes, Down had good support there, very close to 50-50 I'd say.

[ziggysego]

I was chatting to a former Derry man after the game and a supporter from Armagh. Apparently Bellew had triples and his sister had twins recently. He reckons Armagh GAA have to Bellews on a breeding programme for the future.

[corn02]

The Down number 9 in the moinor match (McPoland?) had a Gordon-esque dispaly.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

There was at least 3 from Antrim there as well. Myself, Butterknife and Mrs. Butterknife.

And I met a pal from Belfast there, so that's four at least.

[corn02]

Mr McGourty makes five.