Tyrone - Where to now?

bocerty wrote:the rumour mill has it that there will be an announcement tonight regarding another retirement from the Tyrone camp. The smart money is on Ricey but from one or two sources i have been speaking to dont be surprised if its Conor Gormley.

More to follow..............................

false alarm turned out to be an announcement that Gormley was going for his op and we would be rule dout of the start of the League

Well, 7 games into Tyrone’s new era, I thought I’d give an overview of who has been impressing, and who may be falling down Mickey’s pecking order. In no particular order:

Players on the up

Eoin Mulligan: Looks as fit and as sharp as he has ever done at this time of year. A man who many expected to retire a few months ago is once more playing like one of the top forwards in Ireland.

Mattie Donnelly: Has staked an early claim for Brian Dooher’s vacated role. Strong and full of running, he makes some mistakes, but then so did Dooher in his early career. Would be starting at No.10 if the Championship were tomorrow.

Mickey Murphy: Has been on the panel for years, but injuries have limited his opportunities. To be fair, even when he has played, he has never looked as mobile or confident as he does now. A month ago he was our 5th choice midfielder but, in Colm Cavanagh’s absence, he is now No.1.

Cathal McCarron: Mugsy’s Barber will recall how I previously championed McCarron’s size and athleticism, while he wanted him gone from the panel! Well, it appears that all that was required was moving Cathal from full-back (where he did commit too many fouls due to poor positioning), to wing half. Fast, strong and combative, he has been excellent so far.

Peter Harte: In 12 months he has gone from an inexperienced U21 to perhaps Tyrone’s most dynamic player. Fast, brave and skilful, Harte is dominating games from CHB. A key player already.

Aidan McCrory: Saw limited action last spring, but is now first choice at corner back. 6’0, sturdily built and very fast, he is showing promise. True tests await when Tyrone face teams that get quick ball into our fullback line.

Conor Clarke: 19 year old full back who has coped very well in both league games. Tall, strong and very confident/classy on the ball.


Players slipping backwards

Sean O’Neill: Played very well against Kildare and looked to finally have arrived at RHB, but a stupid 3 month suspension after a Sigerson Cup game will mean he will struggle to win back his place for the Championship.

Kyle Coney: Has seen limited game time, and hasn’t set the world on fire when he has been on. The suspicion is that his lack of drive and work-rate may see him left behind by some of his young colleagues.

Niall McKenna: His 10 minutes against Kildare were his best this winter but hasn’t shown enough. While he has the athleticism and class of his father, he hasn’t yet shown the competitive streak.

Conor Gormley: Hasn’t played so far, but the injury that will keep him out for the league will also reduce his chances of making the championship team.

Justin McMahon: A series of injuries over the last 12 months appears to be having an effect on his confidence. I think Justy is one of those players who needs to be fully fit in order to feel mentally right. On top form, he is the best full back in Ireland, but he is a long, long way off that form at present.

Thomas Clarke wrote:
Kyle Coney: Has seen limited game time, and hasn’t set the world on fire when he has been on. The suspicion is that his lack of drive and work-rate may see him left behind by some of his young colleagues.

Do you think that he regrets not moving to the AFL and that might be affecting his game? I have often wondered this with Coney as I've expected massive things from him after the pressure exerted on him to stay.

bald eagle wrote: Do you think that he regrets not moving to the AFL and that might be affecting his game? I have often wondered this with Coney as I've expected massive things from him after the pressure exerted on him to stay.

I don't know the lad but, from what I'm told about his personality, he was never going to be an AFL player. He was homesick and back in Ireland within a month, so the drive to make it was never that strong to begin with. I'd wonder the same about his intentions with Tyrone. He was brilliant for half an hour against Roscommon in Croke Park last year, but then didn't appear to go wholeheartedly into a challenge and was replaced at half-time.

Coney has lots of talent, and has the physique and mobility to be a handful for any defender, but the ferocious determination that Harte demands is yet to be seen.

Seven games into the new season and it would appear that things are looking good. After last year Tyrone were clearly left behind by the likes of Dublin, Kerry and Cork. Thankfully their road to recovery appears to be heading in the right direction and we appear to be playing catch up quicker than expected. I would however urge a word of caution, Derry had a similar start in 2010 and were going rightly having won the McKenna cup and had a bright start to the NFL up until the two Bradleys were sidelined. If we were to lose O'Neill and Mulligan in similar circumstances then I don't know if I'd be as confident about talking up our chances.

I have got to most of the games this year except the opener against the students and the semi final of the McKenna cup against the swampies. The McKenna cup games were glorified challenge matches and the final was a non event after Conway got the line. The first half V Kildare was worrying and if Kildare had a Seanie Johnston type figure in their forward line the half time score line might have been a whole lot different. Derry last Sunday was also a non event given the number of players they have out at present. There will certainly be more sterner tests to follow.

What I would say is that the team are certainly in much better physical condition than where they were at this time last year. We have younger players on show that can give their all and are out to impress for the full 70 minutes. There are some bright prospects particularly from the recent minor winning teams with Pete Harte being the stand out player and I'm looking forward to see more of Ronan McNabb, Ronan O'Neill and Mattie Donnelly. Michael Murphy has grabbed his chance with both hands but would this have happened if Colm Cavanagh had not been injured.

TC obviously has this "I told ye so Mugsy" about Cathal McCarron's performances. I am happy for the guy that he has had a number of reasonably good games, I'd never would wish anyone in a Tyrone jersey to play a bad game and want them to fail. I am really, really glad that he has been moved out of the full back line which has in essence given him much less responsibilty and freedom to play but whether or not he will still be there in the half back line come championship is still debateable, But sure isn't it great to be spoiled for choice!!. I shall adopt a wait and see policy on this one and will no doubt be able to say "I told ye so TC" in June

I'm only teasing Mugsy, and know you'd be as happy to be proven wrong about McCarron, as I currently am about Mickey Murphy (who Id've lost patience with a long time ago)!

McCarron has 2 major flaws, one of which is exaggerrated by the other. One of his weaknesses is lack of discipline and a tendency to give away too many fouls. This is augmented by his poor sense of positioning when marking a man, as he always seems to be on the wrong side. Out of position, he gives away more frees.

Obviously this is not as big an issue in the half-backs as it is at full/corner back, and McCarron now has the chance to show his qualities, while not having his weaknesses so carefully highlighted. What Cathal brings is power and pace. He is over 6'0, good in the air, very solidly built and very quick in a straight line. His footballing skills are improving and, while he'll never be a Davy Harte, it would be nice to see him get to the stage where he could be trusted to use the ball consistently well.

As of now, the No.5 jersey is his to lose.

Another player i think deserves a mention is Mark Donnelly. He has certainly moved to the next level in terms of his performances in the Tyrone jersey. A prolific scorer at club level he knocked on the door of the Tyrone team for several years without really making any impact.

It seemed like a few others his Tyrone career would be over before it had even begun. However he has reinvented himself into a real workhorse and a good link man between defence and attack. Like most players his confidence is sky high and this is reflected in his general play, he is always available for a pass and in the main makes good use of the ball when he gets it, his fitness levels are top drawer, whilst he wears the number 14 jersey he can often be found in around our own half back line looking for possession and he still manages to chip in with a few scores and i would safely say he is one of the first names on Mickeys team sheet.

TC, I agree at present McCarron merits the number 5 jersey, perhaps he will mature into the position but like i say there are sterner tests to follow and I still believe come championship Harte will have Gormley, Joe and maybe Justin back in the fold. Pete Harte is a nail on start barring injury for the championship, then of course there's McCrory, PJ, Carlin, McNabb, McCaul, Red Sean, Young Clarke and dare i say Ricey and Davy Harte all in the mix. McCarron will do well to hold onto the position and if he does fair play to him but there certainly is a massive void to fill following Philly Jordans departure.

Boc, When things weren't going well in 2008 the name on alot of peoples lips was Mark Donnelly because of his consistent displays for his club and ability to comfortably take on defenders. 2008 was probably a bit too soon for him but he certainly has bulked up a little since then The modern game requires players like Donnelly who are capable of a running game in order to break down 12 and 13 man defences. The likes of Donnelly, Penrose and Pete Harte will run directly at defences trying to attract as many defenders to them as possible while others make diagnol runs from deep to tie up as many opposition defenders as possible. Speed of thought and accurate passing are vital if this is to succeed.

This is basically the type of game we tried to deploy against Dublin last year but hadn't the young legs and physicality to see it through, we left ourselves very exposed at the back with things like Justy and Joe not being at the races, Swifty with a broken nose and of course Connolly was on fire which didn't help matters. The early signs against the opposition so far in 2012 is that this is the way Harte is setting them up to play. It will be interesting to see how it works against better teams although it did blow an ultra defensive Kildare away in the second half of the opening NFL game.

Tyrone team that started against Louth:



Alternative Tyrone side:




A glance at the 2 sides above gives a good idea of the decisions that Mickey Harte faces over the second half of the league. Until now, he has picked a younger, faster side, with many of his bigger name players unavailable through injury. That situation is now changing with Gormley, the McMahons and Cavanaghs, all fit again, and all will be keen to get back in the side before the championship.

So, plenty of big calls for Harte to make before the championship opener against Armagh in the Athletic Grounds, and my guess is that there will be several big names who miss out when that teamsheet is handed in.

That's scary TC, what you have posted there is 2 sides that are more than capabile of challenging for the Ulster title at least! Man i wish Derry were going through a transition period like Tyrones, you lot make me sick!!!

bald eagle wrote:That's scary TC, what you have posted there is 2 sides that are more than capabile of challenging for the Ulster title at least! Man i wish Derry were going through a transition period like Tyrones, you lot make me sick!!!

For Dublin just see Dublin and DCU sides to date .... and add in injury, break individuals. So many players .... so few places ....

bald eagle wrote:That's scary TC, what you have posted there is 2 sides that are more than capabile of challenging for the Ulster title at least! Man i wish Derry were going through a transition period like Tyrones, you lot make me sick!!!

I think it will be very tough for Mickey to choose the right side, as it isn't just as simple as naming his best 15 players.

Tyrone are very clearly developing a new style of play, one which sees a lot of bodies in the midfield area trying to turn over the ball, and then breaking at real pace. Does it suit Joe McMahon? Conor Gormley? Probably not, yet the strength and experience of those guys is still hugely important to us, but does playing them mean that we fall between two stools, a bit like last summer?

Mickey also has to decide to what degree he trusts his newer players. 19 year old Conor Clarke looks a fine prospect at full-back, but will Harte play him in the championship opener (away to Armagh) ahead of one of the McMahons, or even Gormley? A lot will depend on how we finish the league. If we continue winning, I'd fully expect Harte to stick with the younger lads, even if that means some big names are on the bench.

it will be interesting alright TC to see what personnel Mickey decides to go with. We wont learn too much about Clarke as a full back by leaving him on the bench and playing Gormley. Though at the same time there has to be a few question marks over young Clarkes bottle when the going gets tough so we could see a situation were Mickey has to use both men.

I think the style of football we have played so far does not lend itself to Gormleys lack of speed and i think it would be a step backwards to change the style of play to accommodate Gormley. But who knows what Mickey is thinking!!!!

Another big win last night a man who is having a few questions asked of him wins man of the match and Pete harte was forties with William hill for first goal , this could be a good year so far she is shaping up nicely

A big win, but it should have been 20 points instead of 9. Despite a glut of wides in the first half, Tyrone led 2-8 to 0-2 after 40 minutes, but after that the performance level dropped worryingly (as it did against Louth).

The wides aside, our first half performance was highly impressive, with Westmeath held scoreless for 27 minutes. The tenacity of the tackling led to countless turnovers, and the pace on the break was something that Westmeath couldn't cope with.

(I should temper this by saying that Westmeath were pathetic and clueless, and this game was in no way a barometer for Tyrone's chances against the big sides in the summer.)

Still, as RHM says, there were positives among individual performances, most notably Mark Donnelly and Kyle Coney. Coney kicks some very bad wides and is a bit one sided, but his size and mobility make him a handful for any defender, and, when on song, his left foot can be accurate up to 55m. I thought our 5 man half-backline played extremely well, and this formation allows all of those players to pour forward, creating overlaps.

Niall McKenna played quite well in midfield but, a bit like Sean Cavanagh, he doesn't contest the ball in that area, and is mainly an attacking weapon. I was also very pleased to see Justy McMahon back on form - he is a fabulous footballer when free of injuries.

To go back to Tyrone's second half fade away, I'm undecided as to whether or not this was due to the average performance of the players coming on (Cavanaghs, Gormley), or due to the other players being exhausted after the huge energy levels expended in the first period. I fear the latter may be the case, given the trogan workloads undertaken by the like of the half backs and half forwards. That would be a concern against better sides but, for now, I'm happy with another big win. Given our big scoring difference, one more win (10 points) should be enough to secure promotion.

Things are certainly looking more than good for promotion this year. The worrying thing for me on Saturday night was the number of wides being registered, Coney scored some lovely points but was also guilty of a few poor shots with Penrose and McCarron's shot selection leaving alot to be desired at times, Penrose did take his goal very well and McCarrons link up play was quite good. Pete Harte as RHM says is shaping up very nicely and Ronan McNabb is quietly showing us what a prospect he is to Tyrone provided he stays injury free. It was good to see justin McMahon back and getting in some game time but sadly the opposition were pretty poor will Denis Glennon the only player to offer a bit of a threat and worryingly left Conor Gormley for dead towards the end of the game. Overall ticking along nicely and Mickey certainly has many options on the bench to chose from and some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.

Westmeath were worse than poor on Saturday night, at times there were so many Tyrone men coming through on the overlap one could have been forgiven for thinking they were in the Aviva stadium watching rugby. They were clueless as far as tactics and a game plan were concerned.

That said Tyrone played really well for the first half but as soon as the second goal went in they stopped playing completely. The raft of substitutes made almost all at the same time did little to help the balance of the team and because we were so far ahead players were getting very selfish and trying to score from the stupidest of angles.

I'm sure it has given Mickey plenty of food for thought, it does make you wonder about the quality on offer in Division 2 mind you. Galway beat Meath, Galway had been beaten by Westmeath and Tyrone steam rolled over Westmeath. The sooner we get out of Division 2 the better i think.

Don't think there has been too much hype box tc and mugsys barber giving honest assessments. Of each match

redhandman wrote:Don't think there has been too much hype box tc and mugsys barber giving honest assessments. Of each match

RHM i dont recall saying there was too much hype, but now you mention it we are being talked up as being a great team, and i dont think we are yet...................

Granted we are playing some nice football and also i think only Kerry and Dublin are better than us but that says more about the chasing pack than it does about Tyrone Kerry or Dublin!!!!

We have taken our foot of the pedal against Louth and Westmeath and we shouldn't be, better teams will punish us if we do it against them, granted its probably harder to motivate yourself against these so called lesser teams. Plus we seem to empty the tank in the first half and then huff and puff in the latter stages of games.

Still a bit of work to be done yet but then i think Mickey knows that.

bocerty wrote:

redhandman wrote:Don't think there has been too much hype box tc and mugsys barber giving honest assessments. Of each match

RHM i dont recall saying there was too much hype...

I think RHM was referring to the infant that posted just before him, rather than yourself Boc.

I think the Tyrone fans on here, and elsewhere from what I've read, are all of a similar mindset: Very pleased with progress, but well aware that we are not playing the top sides.