Tyrone's championship prospects 2011

I posted on here earlier in the year that Tyrone had 3 'elite' players at present, players who would walk onto any other team in Ireland. The 3 were the 2 McMahons and Jordan.

Now, with the championship just around the corner, all three of them look certain to miss the opener at least. Throw in Swift (who would be on my first 15) and McGinley (who was one of our very few decent performers early in the league before he got injured), and we are faling apart.

Hard to pick a side at present, but the centre of defence looks particularly vulnerable.

Jaysus making excuses before a punch is thrown .....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Jaysus making excuses before a punch is thrown .....

That is a sensitive word in Tyrone today Jayo! Shocking stuff really, on McMahon.

Maybe all this will be the chance for Mickey to finally start trusting some new blood, although I wouldn't be so sure - Ciaran Gourley, anyone?

Thomas Clarke wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Jaysus making excuses before a punch is thrown .....

That is a sensitive word in Tyrone today Jayo! Shocking stuff really, on McMahon.

Maybe all this will be the chance for Mickey to finally start trusting some new blood, although I wouldn't be so sure - Ciaran Gourley, anyone?

Ciaran Gourley? wash your mouth out TC lol

I've been offline for a number of days there but will try and muster up my Tyrone select shortly. Obviously there is another couple of rounds of the league games to play so I'd expect a few minors to perhaps make their way into the starting line up before the Monaghan game the way things are going. McMahons' injury is something none of us wanted to hear and it's even more sad to think he got it playing for his club who he really doesn't give a continental **** for, I think I'll get over the injury to Swift and McGinley somehow. Didn't even know Swift was on against us yesterday until he hobbled off.... .
Reports are also that Kyle Coney has asked to leave the Tyrone panel as well. Mickey has told him to go back and have a re-think.

mugsys_barber wrote: Reports are also that Kyle Coney has asked to leave the Tyrone panel as well. Mickey has told him to go back and have a re-think.

If that is true, and if he does go, it will probably be the end of him in a Tyrone shirt. Speaking to people who have coached him for different sides since he was a child, the recurring question is one of commitment and drive.

I take your point about Swift and McGinley, Mugsy, but McGinley is a decent option for 20 minutes in midfield (better than Cassidy on form, for instance, and Swift is one of our better corner backs (how confident would you be in lining out with Quinn, McCaul, McCarron, McRory, O'Neill or, dare I repeat it, Gourley?!). They both have limitations, certainly, but we are at the stage where you have to ask 'do we have better'?

mugsys_barber wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Jaysus making excuses before a punch is thrown .....

That is a sensitive word in Tyrone today Jayo! Shocking stuff really, on McMahon.

Maybe all this will be the chance for Mickey to finally start trusting some new blood, although I wouldn't be so sure - Ciaran Gourley, anyone?

Ciaran Gourley? wash your mouth out TC lol

I've been offline for a number of days there but will try and muster up my Tyrone select shortly. Obviously there is another couple of rounds of the league games to play so I'd expect a few minors to perhaps make their way into the starting line up before the Monaghan game the way things are going. McMahons' injury is something none of us wanted to hear and it's even more sad to think he got it playing for his club who he really doesn't give a continental **** for, I think I'll get over the injury to Swift and McGinley somehow. Didn't even know Swift was on against us yesterday until he hobbled off.... .
Reports are also that Kyle Coney has asked to leave the Tyrone panel as well. Mickey has told him to go back and have a re-think.

very witty Mugsy, your obviosuly related to yesterdays referee!!!!!

It looks like the train is heading back to the Mountains..

I'll agree TC that McGinley is an option for the last 20 as long as he is replacing Hughes. Both cannot play together on the team at the same time to be honest. Swift has loads of endeavour and effort but far too small for the big day, would prefer Carlin or McNabb.

Ah now Boc don't be going blaming the ref for yesterdays drawn match my friend, didn't hear you spouting off too much about the Brocagh folk when they were armed with more than red and yella cards.....

Jaysus lads tis a grey picture ye paint here. Long term injuries, retirements, lack of commitment, suspensions ..... Just as well Tyrone thrive on adversity.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Jaysus lads tis a grey picture ye paint here. Long term injuries, retirements, lack of commitment, suspensions ..... Just as well Tyrone thrive on adversity.

In fairness Jayo, none of the Tyrone posters on this site were optimistic at the start of the year - the retirements, injuries to key players are just adding to what was already a major problem.

All year, the talk has been that Tyrone have major problems in midfield and attack, yet now, with the McMahons and Jordan out, how could you start to pick a defence?

I know you decry MHs lack of change and adherence and loyalty to the old guard - and he should probably have blooded more young lads in the League - especially as Tyrone stayed in Division 2 - but needs must now. So maybe it will be a good thing in the long term if some of the young lads step up to the plate.

True Jayo, and I hope that does happen, but I guess the real point is that the old guard that will be missing (Jordan & the McMahons) are the ones that we wanted to keep! We were hoping that the likes of Ricey, Davy Harte & Gormley may have been under pressure for places, whereas now they have to be seen as certain starters, for their experience if nothing else.

I suppose Monaghan at home is not the worse start you could want but a potential semi v Donegal would be tough. So is Jordan definitely gone and how long will Joe and Justin be gone?

I'd like to think that Jordan may be back at some point - a defensive crisis will put more pressure on him to return, so maybe a positive in all this. Not sure about the McMahons, but would guess that they will miss most of the Ulster Championship (assuming we stay in it).

Monaghan are no easy touch, although Tyrone do have a very strong record against them. Maybe Monaghan have a mental thing with Tyrone, the way Cavan always had with Derry (post '97). Still though, Tyrone are very vulnerable in Omagh, and I'd nearly rather the game be played in Clones. Tyrone have an excellent record down the years in Dungannon, and it is a great place to watch a match, but it is too small for an Ulster Championship game. Omagh is a bigger pitch and void of any atmosphere, and certainly is far from a fortress for us.

PJ may well return but if he feels he has to you would hope his mentality is right - despite what would probably be his best intentions. It amazes me that still to this day county players get deliberately 'broken up' in club games and it happens a bit in Tyrone you'd have to say. Is this a macho thing among the assailants?

Yes, very much so Jayo. There are strong club rivalries in Tyrone although, admittedly, Omagh and Moortown (the side Joe was playing against) would not be considered as such.

Moortown is a tough spot within Ardboe parish, on the shore or Lough Neagh. Same neck of the woods as Ballinderry as well. In many ways they would be the poor cousins of those 2 areas in terms of success, but are full of thick and ignorant men who pride themselves on being tough/dirty. Paul Devlin and the Lawn twins would be their best known players in recent times. PJ Quinn is their only current panelist.

Not sure what happenned in this incident, so wrong to speculate on who started it. However, that sort of action has no place in the GAA, or anywhere else.

The fact that it was off the ball makes it somehow more reprehensible if thats possible. Even if it wasn't Joe Mc, the thought of someone putting a guy out of work and needing a wired jaw is the action of someone who should not lace a pair of boots again.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:The fact that it was off the ball makes it somehow more reprehensible if thats possible. Even if it wasn't Joe Mc, the thought of someone putting a guy out of work and needing a wired jaw is the action of someone who should not lace a pair of boots again.

Jayo the stories i am hearing are that this was not off the ball and not from behind either, now these reports are coming out of Moortown and so may have a particular slant on them but it would appear the two guys were involved in an altercation and that Joe was throwing punches too. Now i am not condoning this in any way i think its a disgrace but if your going to play with fire some day you'll get burned.

Do you think it happens more in Tyrone than anywhere else, if does seem to happen a fair bit up here but i assumed it was no different anywhere else, the same boy who is trying to knock your bollox in one Sunday is the same guy who is patting your back the following Sunday when your wearing the county jersey.

Not sure what the story is with Jordan - he did line out for his club on Sunday so he is still playing ball

There have been too many unsavoury incidents within Tyrone club football to mention in the one post, Joe McMahon's just another in a long list, Not too long ago Brian McGuigan near lost a bulb against Aghyaran and who can forget the Errigal/Carmen battles in the mid 90's. In many of these incidents it just seems to be certain individuals out to make a name for themselves but there is no room for any of this outrageous behaviour on any football field.

Back to the topic and Tyrone's championship ambitions this year, I wouldn't write them off as potential champions mainly because of the medioicre competition that is out there at present. I would also have prefferred to have played Monaghan in Clones, Omagh hasn't exactly been a fortress for Tyrone in recent times. I would hope that Justin McMahon would be Ok for Monaghan and if Jordan can sort out his personal issues then hopefully he will be ready for action. Defensive certainties at to start against Monaghan are Gormley, Harte, McMenamin and we'll wait and see for Justin and Jordan. The final places will be between Carlin, McCaul, Sean O'Neill, PJ Quinn, McNabb or Marty Swift. I'd say Pete Harte will start in the half forward line now that Joe has been sidelined.

Dooher was sent off in a club game at the weekend for striking so any chance of him receiving any useful competitive game time prior to the championship is out the window. I don't know where we're running with a 36 year old at this stage of the game anyway and I for one would prefer if his cameo appearance was kept for injury time. There are another round of league fixtures this weekend, hopefully there will be no more injuries to report.

mugsys_barber wrote:There have been too many unsavoury incidents within Tyrone club football to mention in the one post, Joe McMahon's just another in a long list, Not too long ago Brian McGuigan near lost a bulb against Aghyaran and who can forget the Errigal/Carmen battles in the mid 90's. In many of these incidents it just seems to be certain individuals out to make a name for themselves but there is no room for any of this outrageous behaviour on any football field.

Back to the topic and Tyrone's championship ambitions this year, I wouldn't write them off as potential champions mainly because of the medioicre competition that is out there at present. I would also have prefferred to have played Monaghan in Clones, Omagh hasn't exactly been a fortress for Tyrone in recent times. I would hope that Justin McMahon would be Ok for Monaghan and if Jordan can sort out his personal issues then hopefully he will be ready for action. Defensive certainties at to start against Monaghan are Gormley, Harte, McMenamin and we'll wait and see for Justin and Jordan. The final places will be between Carlin, McCaul, Sean O'Neill, PJ Quinn, McNabb or Marty Swift. I'd say Pete Harte will start in the half forward line now that Joe has been sidelined.

Dooher was sent off in a club game at the weekend for striking so any chance of him receiving any useful competitive game time prior to the championship is out the window. I don't know where we're running with a 36 year old at this stage of the game anyway and I for one would prefer if his cameo appearance was kept for injury time. There are another round of league fixtures this weekend, hopefully there will be no more injuries to report.

Mugsy correct me if i am wrong but was the McGuigan one not a complete accident or have i mixed that one up with Joe Lynch from Errigal who lost an eye too. From what i gather Doohers red card was based on an umpires say so and he was standing som 60 yards away from the incident. Whats more it appears Mr O' Neill should ahve walked for a headbutt in the same game. What i will say is if those two gys are striking out they must have been taking some unsavoury abuse

mugsys_barber wrote:There have been too many unsavoury incidents within Tyrone club football to mention in the one post, Joe McMahon's just another in a long list, Not too long ago Brian McGuigan near lost a bulb against Aghyaran and who can forget the Errigal/Carmen battles in the mid 90's. In many of these incidents it just seems to be certain individuals out to make a name for themselves but there is no room for any of this outrageous behaviour on any football field.

Back to the topic and Tyrone's championship ambitions this year, I wouldn't write them off as potential champions mainly because of the medioicre competition that is out there at present. I would also have prefferred to have played Monaghan in Clones, Omagh hasn't exactly been a fortress for Tyrone in recent times. I would hope that Justin McMahon would be Ok for Monaghan and if Jordan can sort out his personal issues then hopefully he will be ready for action. Defensive certainties at to start against Monaghan are Gormley, Harte, McMenamin and we'll wait and see for Justin and Jordan. The final places will be between Carlin, McCaul, Sean O'Neill, PJ Quinn, McNabb or Marty Swift. I'd say Pete Harte will start in the half forward line now that Joe has been sidelined.

Dooher was sent off in a club game at the weekend for striking so any chance of him receiving any useful competitive game time prior to the championship is out the window. I don't know where we're running with a 36 year old at this stage of the game anyway and I for one would prefer if his cameo appearance was kept for injury time. There are another round of league fixtures this weekend, hopefully there will be no more injuries to report.

Mugsy mediocre teams out there your are a very funny man

the people who hit off the ball and break players up are only scum the only way to deal with these fools is for them to be arrested on the spot and let justice be served

hipster 2 wrote:the people who hit off the ball and break players up are only scum the only way to deal with these fools is for them to be arrested on the spot and let justice be served

would the ref have to stop the game for the arrest to be made and would the time be added on at the end?

bocerty i played in a match and one of our players was smashed in the face off the ball he got a broken jaw and cheek bone we were all looking for his teeth but when the ambulance got there they told us they were pushed up into his cheek , now the lad that done this got away scot free and as you know this is only the tip of the iceberg , as a judge said recentally it will only be a matter of time before someone is killed in an off the ball at a gaa match

hipster 2 wrote:bocerty i played in a match and one of our players was smashed in the face off the ball he got a broken jaw and cheek bone we were all looking for his teeth but when the ambulance got there they told us they were pushed up into his cheek , now the lad that done this got away scot free and as you know this is only the tip of the iceberg , as a judge said recentally it will only be a matter of time before someone is killed in an off the ball at a gaa match

Was he not able to carry on, it was only a broken jaw and a few teeth. An ambulance was called...FFS. Bocerty broke a leg 2 years ago and finished the match and it only a tournament game.....You city lads are too soft.