Tyrone GT news

bocerty wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That's as good a goal from the throw in as you'll ever see.

indeed it is TC a well worked move - there was another move which saw keeper save a shot from Grugan dont think the whole build up is shown in the video but it was of a similar nature

So Boc, trying to project improvement towards the summer or even next year, which of the young lads you saw yesterday are going to be valuable players, and which aren't going to make it?

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That's as good a goal from the throw in as you'll ever see.

indeed it is TC a well worked move - there was another move which saw keeper save a shot from Grugan dont think the whole build up is shown in the video but it was of a similar nature

So Boc, trying to project improvement towards the summer or even next year, which of the young lads you saw yesterday are going to be valuable players, and which aren't going to make it?

TC i would hopeful that most of them will, given a year or two, make it obviously some are more developed than others but most show potential.

Of yesterdays showing i would say Tiernan McCann is most at risk of missing out, hes a lovely ball player at the best of times but yesterday he insisted on walking into tackles often 3 players swallowing him up and over turning the ball with ease.  He isnt a defending half back more of a Davy Harte type player and that was obvious yesterday two, his man was getting too much by way of space and any time he got near him he fouled him.  A question mark or two over Gallagher from Newtownstewart but the rest would show enough to suggest that if they want it badly enough its there for the taking.

Peter Hughes Eskra & Grugan from Omagh played fairly well and Niall McKenna and Ronan McNabb had decent games too though McNabb only played one half.  Didnt see enough of the others to pass judgement but word is Shea McGuigan is as close to being like big brother Brian as any of the McGuigan family and that Tierney from Omagh is a fairly decent man marker.

Thanks Boc.  Yeah, I heard that Tiernan McCann had a nightmare, which is a shame as he would have been hoping to make a big push in what is his second season.  I agree on Kevin Gallagher - I saw enough last year to know that he won't make it.  I actually heard that Peter Hughes struggled yesterday, but he had played well in earlier rounds.  Big year for him, after sitting out 2013.  Niall McKenna won't be a midfield option, as he is just too small.  I wonder has he really progressed that much since he was last on the panel.

I like Grugan, although he needs to get stronger.  He could be one that comes into his own as the year goes on, or certainly next season as he develops strength.  Shay McGuigan has always been a top prospect, and it would be no surprise to me to see him at CHF in the summer.  

I think that most of the lads have potential, but they still need to get better.  Even some who were there last year, like Ronan O'Neill, Darren McCurry, Ryan McKenna, Conor McAliskey and Ronan McNabb, will have to make strides in the next few months before we can really think of them as potential difference makers for the summer.

You talked about the rules meaning that the game has become non-contact but, from a Tyrone perspective, that should be an advantage.  We are light, fast and skilful, but lacking in size in a few areas.  Free-running games with less hard-hitting would only help us.

Thomas Clarke wrote:Thanks Boc.  Yeah, I heard that Tiernan McCann had a nightmare, which is a shame as he would have been hoping to make a big push in what is his second season.  I agree on Kevin Gallagher - I saw enough last year to know that he won't make it.  I actually heard that Peter Hughes struggled yesterday, but he had played well in earlier rounds.  Big year for him, after sitting out 2013.  Niall McKenna won't be a midfield option, as he is just too small.  I wonder has he really progressed that much since he was last on the panel.

I like Grugan, although he needs to get stronger.  He could be one that comes into his own as the year goes on, or certainly next season as he develops strength.  Shay McGuigan has always been a top prospect, and it would be no surprise to me to see him at CHF in the summer.  

I think that most of the lads have potential, but they still need to get better.  Even some who were there last year, like Ronan O'Neill, Darren McCurry, Ryan McKenna, Conor McAliskey and Ronan McNabb, will have to make strides in the next few months before we can really think of them as potential difference makers for the summer.

You talked about the rules meaning that the game has become non-contact but, from a Tyrone perspective, that should be an advantage.  We are light, fast and skilful, but lacking in size in a few areas.  Free-running games with less hard-hitting would only help us.

i thought McCurry showed very well yesterday lively and always looking the ball and winning quite a bit that went his way - very accurate when he did get it too. McAliskey showed glimpses too that he can make a big break through and cause all sorts of problem. Mattie Donnelly was quiet at FF but that had more to do with a lack of quality ball going in, what i will say is that he has serious upper body strength, he wont be easily put of the ball this year.

Thomas Clarke wrote:You talked about the rules meaning that the game has become non-contact but, from a Tyrone perspective, that should be an advantage.  We are light, fast and skilful, but lacking in size in a few areas.  Free-running games with less hard-hitting would only help us.

if applied properly there is still plenty of scope for contact - problem yesterday was the ref was being very pernickety and as for the advantage rule well it is a load of balls.

I thought it was better to see a game played with no pulling of togs or jerseys to stop a player and no cynical pulling players down or checking their progress. Others dont like it i know but they are the ones pointing at no contact, i dont think that is a fair observation.

Tyrone team to play Cavan in the McKenna Cup final on Saturday night:

1 – Niall Morgan
2 – Aidan McCrory
3 – Conor Clarke
4 – Barry Tierney
5 – Ciaran McGinley
6 – Peter Harte
7 – Tiernan McCann
8 – Niall McKenna
9 – Danny McBride
10 – Plunkett Kane
11 – Shea McGuigan
12 – PJ Lavery
13 – Patrick McNeice
14 – Matthew Donnelly
15 – Ronan O’Neill

16 – Michael O’Neill
17 – Kevin Campbell
18 – Hugh Gallagher
19 – Kevin Gallagher
20 – Conan Grugan
21 – Peter Hughes
22 – Connor McAliskey
23 – Emmett McKenna
24 – Ronan McNabb
25 – Ronan McNamee
26 – Patrick Quinn

A quick analysis: Mickey is wasting his time and indeed Tyrone's time with Conor Clarke at 3.
The lad has lots of football in him and is wasted there. Harte should be looking forward to augmenting what has been a flagging midfield.

Full-backs can be adapted, there's no requirement nowadays for specialists. Unless meeting an in-form
Conor Beirne.

Boxtyeater wrote:A quick analysis: Mickey is wasting his time and indeed Tyrone's time with Conor Clarke at 3.
The lad has lots of football in him and is wasted there. Harte should be looking forward to augmenting what has been a flagging midfield.

Full-backs can be adapted, there's no requirement nowadays for specialists. Unless meeting an in-form
Conor Beirne.

I agree totally. However, Mickey's trouble is that he has no options at all in the FB line. Losing Cathal McCarron robbed us of our only corner back, leaving us needing to find 2 for this year. Take Clarke away, and we have nothing back there at all. Perhaps if either McMahon was properly fit it would release Clarke. Although he's still only 21, Clarke is 6'3 and built like a tank. He can also play a bit. I'd be playing him at half-back or preferably midfield.

Thomas Clarke wrote:
I agree totally.  However, Mickey's trouble is that he has no options at all in the FB line.  Losing Cathal McCarron robbed us of our only corner back, leaving us needing to find 2 for this year.  Take Clarke away, and we have nothing back there at all.  Perhaps if either McMahon was properly fit it would release Clarke.  Although he's still only 21, Clarke is 6'3 and built like a tank.  He can also play a bit. I'd be playing him at half-back or preferably midfield.

Typical Tyrone attitude....Not a yard as the whole world has gone metric...No No and more No...
Defend, Ulster is right and Ulster will fight rhetoric....Defend what we have,  blah blah and all that....

Meanwhile, on this dunghill of Nordie defensive/defence-oriented jingoism sprouts this one rose....
All Hail Mulligan:

there are many in Tyrone who don't trust Clarke at fullback.

Surprised to see Tiernan McCann getting a starting slot for the final - surprised but glad to see it at the same time, i think though his best position might be in the half forward line

bocerty wrote:there are many in Tyrone who don't trust Clarke at fullback.

With due respect to them Boc, they know little about football. He is our best full-back, and probably our best half back or midfielder too.

bocerty wrote:
Surprised to see Tiernan McCann getting a starting slot for the final - surprised but glad to see it at the same time, i think though his best position might be in the half forward line

Yeah, I was a bit surprised after the shocker he apparently had against Derry. Big game for him now, as another poor performance could see him under pressure to make the cut for the league. I count 29 players used during the McKenna Cup panel, plus another 11 to come back (Cavanaghs, McMahons, O'Neill, Gormley, Carlin, Quinn, Donnelly, Penrose, Coney), and there is no way we'll be carrying 40 in our panel through the season.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:there are many in Tyrone who don't trust Clarke at fullback.

With due respect to them Boc, they know little about football.  He is our best full-back, and probably our best half back or midfielder too.

not all of them TC - some of them in fact have their heads well screwed on when it comes to football.

Its all about opinions i suppose

bocerty wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:there are many in Tyrone who don't trust Clarke at fullback.

With due respect to them Boc, they know little about football.  He is our best full-back, and probably our best half back or midfielder too.

not all of them TC - some of them in fact have their heads well screwed on when it comes to football.

Its all about opinions i suppose

Boc, if you think that, come out and say it. If you don't, let the others defend themselves.

I'd love to know who they would prefer at FB instead.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:there are many in Tyrone who don't trust Clarke at fullback.

With due respect to them Boc, they know little about football.  He is our best full-back, and probably our best half back or midfielder too.

not all of them TC - some of them in fact have their heads well screwed on when it comes to football.

Its all about opinions i suppose

Boc, if you think that, come out and say it.  If you don't, let the others defend themselves.  

I'd love to know who they would prefer at FB instead.

TC ive seen him have some very good games and i have seen him have some not so good games so for me the jury is still out.

However from my point of view there is no other option there at present, we could try Joe or Justy bu is either any better than Clarke, for me the answer is no.

As for others defending themselves, how do they do that when they arent registered on here   

bocerty wrote:
TC ive seen him have some very good games and i have seen him have some not so good games so for me the jury is still out.

However from my point of view there is no other option there at present, we could try Joe or Justy bu is either any better than Clarke, for me the answer is no.

He's raw, but he's still only 21.  I've never seen him roasted for Tyrone by anyone.  I've seen him under pressure at times, but then all full-backs have those moments, but I've never seen him have a really poor game where I've thought that he should be taken off or moved.  Clarke is slow on the turn, and that can cause problems if he is isolated and the right ball is coming in.  But he also has great arm length and physical strength, and almost always manages to get a hand in or redirect his man.  He's not perfect, but he's far from our biggest concern.

I think we're both agreed that Clarke is the only option there at present.  I'd like to see Justy fully fit again, but it has been about 4 years since he played 3 games in a row, and I wonder if he'll ever be back to what he was.  A fit Justin would allow Clarke to play at No.7 or 8.  But we'd still need 2 corner backs - any hiding round Killyclogher that we could draft in?!

You Tyronies likely know this already but Cathal McCarren made his debut in the London SFC for Round Towers last weekend, thus making him eligible to play for London in this year's league & Championship.

bald eagle wrote:You Tyronies likely know this already but Cathal McCarren made his debut in the London SFC for Round Towers last weekend, thus making him eligible to play for London in this year's league & Championship.

Yeah, glad to see him playing for London, and he'll be a good addition for them. He's a loss to Tyrone, especially as we have no suitable replacements for either corner back slot.

I think it's good for the lad too TC, hopefully he can sort his demons while there.

bald eagle wrote:I think it's good for the lad too TC, hopefully he can sort his demons while there.

Totally agree. I hope it works out for him - good to see that he has got back into the football and all that goes with it.

Tyrone team to play Derry in the league opener:

1 – Niall Morgan
2 – Aidan McCrory
3 – Conor Clarke
4 – Barry Tierney
5 – Ciaran McGinley
6 – Peter Harte
7 – Ronan McNabb
8 – Danny McBride
9 – Conan Grugan
10 – Niall McKenna
11 – Shea McGuigan
12 – PJ Lavery
13 – Darren McCurry
14 – Matthew Donnelly
15 – Patrick McNeice

16 – Michael O’Neill
17 – Colm Cavanagh
18 – Peter Hughes
19 – Plunkett Kane
20 – Kevin Gallagher
21 – Connor McAliskey
22 – Tiernan McCann
23 – Emmett McKenna
24 – Ryan McKenna
25 – Ronan McNamee
26 – Ronan O’Neill

Almost exactly the 15 that I expected, with substitute Colm Cavanagh the only addition to the squad that played in the McKenna Cup. 4 players making their league debuts - Tierney, Grugan, McGuigan and Lavery.

Thomas Clarke wrote:Tyrone team to play Derry in the league opener:

1 – Niall Morgan
2 – Aidan McCrory
3 – Conor Clarke
4 – Barry Tierney
5 – Ciaran McGinley
6 – Peter Harte
7 – Ronan McNabb
8 – Danny McBride
9 – Conan Grugan
10 – Niall McKenna
11 – Shea McGuigan
12 – PJ Lavery
13 – Darren McCurry
14 – Matthew Donnelly
15 – Patrick McNeice

16 – Michael O’Neill
17 – Colm Cavanagh
18 – Peter Hughes
19 – Plunkett Kane
20 – Kevin Gallagher
21 – Connor McAliskey
22 – Tiernan McCann
23 – Emmett McKenna
24 – Ryan McKenna
25 – Ronan McNamee
26 – Ronan O’Neill

Almost exactly the 15 that I expected, with substitute Colm Cavanagh the only addition to the squad that played in the McKenna Cup.  4 players making their league debuts - Tierney, Grugan, McGuigan and Lavery.

Nothing worth talking about there,maybe the goal keeper that's it really

There weren't too many young lads on the Dublin panel worth talking about this time last year either. We'll see how ours push on...

Out of interest how many of the above Tyrone starting 15 have won an Ulster U21 title?

Gaa_lover wrote:Out of interest how many of the above Tyrone starting 15 have won an Ulster U21 title?

We've only won 1 since 2003, and that was in 2006. On that basis, I'd be pretty sure that none of them do. I wouldn't be certain, but Colm Cavanagh might be the only member of that squad who does.

U21 failures is a concern in Tyrone. The feeling (hope) is that it was down to poor management, squandering AI winning minor teams from 2001, 2004, 2008 & 2010. We would hope that the players have the talent, and that it would now be seen in a better set-up. It could, of course, be that we produce a lot of skilful and tidy minors who lack the physical strength to become top senior players. The next 18 months will tell us a lot.