Re: Ulster SF Championship Final 2010

**mid-mon man** Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:06 am

Well if the build-up in Tyrone is quiet it's exactly the opposite here - the place is buzzing and everyone is talking about the match. The town has flags everywhere and it looks great, I hear Clones is in full colour too as you'd expect. I suppose that would show you who is up for it more and which supporters the title would mean more to. Whereas 3 years ago it was a great novelty to be in the final(not that it's a common occurrence now or anything!), people are now more confident of our team and their ability to beat Tyrone, although everyone still knows what a big task it is, nobody's getting ahead of themselves.

You'd hope the team themselves is as hungry but I don't think there's any fear of that not being the case, they'll be fired up no end. But they'll still have to keep the heads and play the game for what it is and not let the occasion get to them - though it's a very experienced team we have in terms of how long they've been around, and I trust they'll be very focused. Even the younger boys like Walshe and K Hughes who are new this year show no signs of nerves, they played the whole league and were fearless when up against some of the best in the country and have been excellent to date in the championship. They'll need to be better again though this Sunday, as will all the players in fact, it's a massive step up from our matches so far.

It's a bit unnerving how the majority of the talk is about Monaghan in the build-up to this though, little talk of Tyrone and that will suit their preparation down to the ground, absolutely no pressure on them going into this game under the radar. But they are still strong favourites and one of the very top teams who have strong ambitions of Sam each year. The reasoning for alot of people who are predicting Monaghan is that we will be the hungrier team - that may well be the case but we still have to go out on the day and put on a big performance, a good bit better than what we've done so far, hunger alone doesn't win anything. And Tyrone don't usually do losing in finals, it's not like they'll not want to win this, plus there's the back-to-back Ulsters which they haven't done since the mid-90's.

It's still a bit unclear what the goalkeeper situation is, though the management and team will know exactly what they'll be doing, this isn't going to come down to the last minute again, that simply won't cut it against Tyrone. I don't think Duffy is going to make it back from what I hear, so Hughes will probably stay between the posts. I've heard rumours of former keeper McBennett returning but I'm not sure about that. If Hughes is free to move out the field it would be interesting to see where he'd fit in. All 6 backs in the last two games have been excellent and it would be harsh to drop anyone of them, especially in the half-back line which has been one of our most impressive areas in the last two games and the platform for much of our best play. Hughes would be one of the best men to be on Cavanagh, but I'm not sure where he'd start and it's been a while now since he's played a competitive game outfield. All the same, you need all your best players out the field against a team like Tyrone but I hope the correct call is made and something stupid like the goalkeeper situation isn't the deciding factor in the game.

**bocerty** Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:22 pm

MMM i dont think the Monaghan management will leave any stone unturned in ensuring that they are prepared as well as possible for Sundays game. No doubt you are a fit side so that wont be an issue, being able to concentrate for the full 70 minutes and not switching off is of tantamount importance if you are to win. We all know Tyrone dont do panic so even if we are a few points down with a few minutes to go it will still be all to play for.

I can see Monaghan coming out of the blocks all guns blazing and try and blitz Tyrone in the early stages of the game, i can see them getting a 5-6 point advantage before Tyrone find their feet and start eating into the lead.

The weather could be the biggest factor on Sunday along with which free taker brings their boots with them. If it rains and leaves the ground slippy i think it will suit us more than yourselves. Look at last weekend, White for Louth left the boots at home and yet in previous games he could do no wrong with the frees. Finlay could suffer the same fate if the first 2 or 3 dont hit the target.

**mid-mon man** Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:47 pm

Yeah fair point about Finlay, he is a player that at times can go either way in a game depending on his start, he can be magnificent or other times far too quiet. However this year he's been in top form all along, two great performances in the last two games and seems to be a bit mentally strong than other years. Like against Armagh he missed a handy free early on and dropped another short, but went on to play brilliantly. I'd be confident enough in our free-takers though, as I feel in Finlay and McManus we're fairly well equipped in that regard. McManus is a great addition to the frees as he's definately a better free-taker than Tommy, and that takes a degree of pressure off Tommy and he's been scoring well from play this year as a result.

**mid-mon man** Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:22 pm

Tyrone team announced, a few surprises there, to me anyway:

1 Pascal McConnell
2 Cathal McCarron
3 Justin McMahon
4 Ryan McMenamin
5 Davy Harte
6 Conor Gormley
7 Philip Jordan
8 Colm Cavanagh
9 Kevin Hughes
10 Brian Dooher
11 Sean Cavanagh
12 Joe McMahon
13 Martin Penrose
14 Tommy McGuigan
15 Owen Mulligan

**Boxtyeater** Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:07 pm

Quick question for Tyrone posters.....What's ye're opinion on Penrose as a freetaker off his hands??
To me, no offence intended, something about his style would un-nerve me.... Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_pale

**mugsys_barber** Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:29 pm

mid-mon man wrote:Tyrone team announced, a few surprises there, to me anyway:

1 Pascal McConnell
2 Cathal McCarron
3 Justin McMahon
4 Ryan McMenamin
5 Davy Harte
6 Conor Gormley
7 Philip Jordan
8 Colm Cavanagh
9 Kevin Hughes
10 Brian Dooher
11 Sean Cavanagh
12 Joe McMahon
13 Martin Penrose
14 Tommy McGuigan
15 Owen Mulligan

I suppose the omission of Stevy O'Neill is of no great surprise due to his heel injury. My only hope would be that he will be able to play some part in the proceedings. I'm also quite surprised that Dermot Carlin has got the chop along with his club colleague Marty Swift. Neither have really done much wrong in previous games, maybe McCarron's height advantage is why he gets the nod but personally I'd rather have seen Dermy Carlin in the starting 15. This does leave some good options to come in from the bench however with Carlin, Swift, O'Neill, Pete Harte, Kyle Coney, Enda McGinley and Brian McGuigan all waiting to get the call.

Boxty, I hear what your saying about Penrose and the free taking, I don't think he's the most reliable to be honest. I think we would all prefer if Stevy O'Neill was taking them from the left side of the field but unfortunately that won't be the case on Sunday. Tyrone are missing quality free takers in the mould of Peter Canavan or Mickey Mallon. Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_wink

**bocerty** Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:27 pm

Boxtyeater wrote:Quick question for Tyrone posters.....What's ye're opinion on Penrose as a freetaker off his hands??
To me, no offence intended, something about his style would un-nerve me....

i think Penrose has come along way in a space of time in terms of his confidence in hitting frees. There was a time Penrose wouldnt shoot unless he got a written invitation, he got himself into some great positions but chose (wrongly very often) to lay the ball of to someone else to take the responsibility.

With the added task of hitting frees i think it has done him the world of good he is now more prepared to shoot from open play and his confidence is a lot higher than it was. That said he seems the sort of lad who it wouldnt take much to set him back a bit, ie if he were to miss the first free on Sunday theres every chance he could miss every one after that too.

One think for sure he might not be the best free taker but he is easily one of the fastest, one of the fittest and one of the best tacklers in the game at present.

**bocerty** Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:38 pm

mid-mon man wrote:Tyrone team announced, a few surprises there, to me anyway:

1 Pascal McConnell
2 Cathal McCarron
3 Justin McMahon
4 Ryan McMenamin
5 Davy Harte
6 Conor Gormley
7 Philip Jordan
8 Colm Cavanagh
9 Kevin Hughes
10 Brian Dooher
11 Sean Cavanagh
12 Joe McMahon
13 Martin Penrose
14 Tommy McGuigan
15 Owen Mulligan

very surprised myself at the selection MMM - half expected my club mate Swift to miss the cut but i am more than surprised at Carlin suffering the same fate, i'd have thought Carlin was the best man for marking Freeman - it seems now that Ricey or possibly Gormley may now be handed that task. McCarron has been showing well at training recently but i am still surprised by his inclusion though it may be his height that has seen him get the nod over Swift.

Davy Harte was another shock - unless he has had a real turn of fortunes in terms of his form and fitness this could easily be a big mistake by Mickey. O'Neill was never a starter and i doubt very much if he will see any action at all, i was sure Brian Mc Guigan would get the nod here to keep Corey occupied at CHB with Sean moving into the edge of the square.

Who am i to doubt Harte, though it is hard not to think that he has his favourites!!!!!!!

Monaghan by 3 for me

**mid-mon man** Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:58 pm

Monaghan team announced:

Darren Hughes
Dermot McArdle
John Paul Mone
Colin Walshe
Damien Freeman
Vincent Corey
Gary McQuaid
Dick Clerkin
Owen Lennon
Stephen Gollogly
Paul Finlay
Kieran Hughes
Ciaran Hanratty
Conor McManus
Tommy Freeman

**patrique** Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:49 pm

Never mind the football or lack of it, you have to admire Tyrone, absolute masters in the niggly, black arts.

Running into people to win a free for a third man tackle, walking across the line of vision of the free taker, small tug of the hair and slap in the face to get a reaction from opposing player, absolutely brilliant.

Best of all the push in the back as an opponent wins the ball. Because he woon it the ref will ignore this but it disrupts the flow of the move.

And they learn all this coming up as minors.

Great credit to the mentors.

Some good players as well, but everyone has those.No these things make all the difference.

I now see what they have above the rest.

**GAA-Fan** Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:14 pm

9 different scorers for Tyrone at 0-10 to 0-4.

If Monaghan can't even challenege Tyrone then the rest of the province is screwed. Have only watched bits of the game but Tyrone's weakness is their defence. In the first half Monaghan had 2 goal chances but for some great goalkeeping they are running away with it.

**patrique** Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:32 pm

Very effective as against Down, but you couldn't watch it, not with something exciting like golf on the other channel.

**GAA-Fan** Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:38 pm

I always thought this year that Ulster football wasn't going to be the most exciting. Going to have a look back - im sure I posted it on here.

Tyrone are going to be like Dublin have been like for the past 6 years. Because there is no longer any competition in Ulster they will suffer. Meath, Cork and Kerry are all capable of beating them. I was completely wrong about Tyrone they aren't as bad as I thought. But most teams in Ireland will be more forceful against the Tyrone defence and will power their way thorugh. Monaghan are now going to go through the changes as are Tyrone at the end of the year. Says a lot about Armagh football to if Monaghan easily beat us and then were easily beaten by Tyrone.

All teams in Ulster are now going to go through a transition stage at the end of this year but Tyrone will have the advantage by having the more experienced players. In my opinion Leinster looks as if they are now the most dominant province. Oddly enough Leinster's emergence has happened without Dublin leading the pack.

**Loyal2TheRoyal** Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:22 pm

Fair enough analysis there GF bar the needless nonsense about better provinces which was hardly necessary at the end.

Tyrone have barely been better in my opinion. You look at it, champions 2008, walked Ulster 2009 and then the unexplainable Cork game, now Ulster champions again. One wonders why people continue to write them off.

As I see it now, the All-Ireland championship remains between three teams. And lazy and all as this might seem, I think it will come down to whoever meets who first. In Croke Park, Cork will beat Tyrone, Tyrone will beat Kerry and Kerry will beat Cork. Which kind of rules Cork out as they will meet both if they keep progressing. Kerry and Tyrone can't meet until the final. Here's my prediction. If Cork draw Meath or Kerry in the Quarters, Kerry-Tyrone final, if Cork draw Roscommon or Tyrone in the Quarters, Kerry-Cork final. Touche.

The only teams I think who are capable of reigning in on the parade are Meath and Dublin. The rest are making up numbers.

**JimWexford** Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:31 pm

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Fair enough analysis there GF bar the needless nonsense about better provinces which was hardly necessary at the end.

Tyrone have barely been better in my opinion. You look at it, champions 2008, walked Ulster 2009 and then the unexplainable Cork game, now Ulster champions again. One wonders why people continue to write them off.

As I see it now, the All-Ireland championship remains between three teams. And lazy and all as this might seem, I think it will come down to whoever meets who first. In Croke Park, Cork will beat Tyrone, Tyrone will beat Kerry and Kerry will beat Cork. Which kind of rules Cork out as they will meet both if they keep progressing. Kerry and Tyrone can't meet until the final. Here's my prediction. If Cork draw Meath or Kerry in the Quarters, Kerry-Tyrone final, if Cork draw Roscommon or Tyrone in the Quarters, Kerry-Cork final. Touche.

loyal have to agree with you there

The only teams I think who are capable of reigning in on the parade are Meath and Dublin. The rest are making up numbers.

**Jayo Cluxton** Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:54 pm

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:As I see it now, the All-Ireland championship remains between three teams. And lazy and all as this might seem, I think it will come down to whoever meets who first. In Croke Park, Cork will beat Tyrone, Tyrone will beat Kerry and Kerry will beat Cork. Which kind of rules Cork out as they will meet both if they keep progressing. Kerry and Tyrone can't meet until the final. Here's my prediction.

The only teams I think who are capable of reigning in on the parade are Meath and Dublin. The rest are making up numbers.

Quite valid - though I don't see anybody raining on the big 3 parade at all/ They are a good bit ahead of all others.

**mugsys_barber** Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:45 pm

The two provincial winners today maybe proves that the kentucky fried National Football League or whatever they call it means absolutely sweet FA come summer time. Many people prior to the game were tipping Monaghan simply because they beat us by a point in the league and on the back of beating a very poor 14 man Armagh team. I have been an admirer of Monaghan's togetherness and team spirit but the class and experience of this Tyrone side simply blew them away.

Tyrone are a completely different proposition in championship football and have shown themselves as being one of the top two teams in the country. Our defence swallowed up every Monaghan attack from the 18th minute on bar the one goal chance before half time. I lost count of the amount of times Monaghan were dispossed and the workrate the entire defence as well as Penrose, Joe McMahon and Dooher has to be admired. The spread of scores today is also very uplifting and if this form is continued into the quarter finals and the walking wounded Stevy O'Neill and Aidan Cassidy return to the fold I believe for the first time since September '08 we have reason to be optimistic of our chances of winning the All Ireland the year. Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_wink

Well done also to our Minors on winning the Ulster title which will surely open up the conveyor belt of talent debate again. Good times Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_biggrin

**mullins** Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:53 pm

mugsys_barber wrote:The two provincial winners today maybe proves that the kentucky fried National Football League or whatever they call it means absolutely sweet FA come summer time. Many people prior to the game were tipping Monaghan simply because they beat us by a point in the league and on the back of beating a very poor 14 man Armagh team. I have been an admirer of Monaghan's togetherness and team spirit but the class and experience of this Tyrone side simply blew them away.

Tyrone are a completely different proposition in championship football and have shown themselves as being one of the top two teams in the country. Our defence swallowed up every Monaghan attack from the 18th minute on bar the one goal chance before half time. I lost count of the amount of times Monaghan were dispossed and the workrate the entire defence as well as Penrose, Joe McMahon and Dooher has to be admired. The spread of scores today is also very uplifting and if this form is continued into the quarter finals and the walking wounded Stevy O'Neill and Aidan Cassidy return to the fold I believe for the first time since September '08 we have reason to be optimistic of our chances of winning the All Ireland the year.

Well done also to our Minors on winning the Ulster title which will surely open up the conveyor belt of talent debate again. Good times

Mugsy i would love to draw Tyrone in the 1/4 final......Bring it on Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_cool

**bocerty** Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:57 pm

mullins wrote:
mugsys_barber wrote:The two provincial winners today maybe proves that the kentucky fried National Football League or whatever they call it means absolutely sweet FA come summer time. Many people prior to the game were tipping Monaghan simply because they beat us by a point in the league and on the back of beating a very poor 14 man Armagh team. I have been an admirer of Monaghan's togetherness and team spirit but the class and experience of this Tyrone side simply blew them away.

Tyrone are a completely different proposition in championship football and have shown themselves as being one of the top two teams in the country. Our defence swallowed up every Monaghan attack from the 18th minute on bar the one goal chance before half time. I lost count of the amount of times Monaghan were dispossed and the workrate the entire defence as well as Penrose, Joe McMahon and Dooher has to be admired. The spread of scores today is also very uplifting and if this form is continued into the quarter finals and the walking wounded Stevy O'Neill and Aidan Cassidy return to the fold I believe for the first time since September '08 we have reason to be optimistic of our chances of winning the All Ireland the year.

Well done also to our Minors on winning the Ulster title which will surely open up the conveyor belt of talent debate again. Good times

Mugsy i would love to draw Tyrone in the 1/4 final......Bring it on

you might not be there Mullins

**mullins** Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:59 pm

bocerty wrote:
mullins wrote:
mugsys_barber wrote:The two provincial winners today maybe proves that the kentucky fried National Football League or whatever they call it means absolutely sweet FA come summer time. Many people prior to the game were tipping Monaghan simply because they beat us by a point in the league and on the back of beating a very poor 14 man Armagh team. I have been an admirer of Monaghan's togetherness and team spirit but the class and experience of this Tyrone side simply blew them away.

Tyrone are a completely different proposition in championship football and have shown themselves as being one of the top two teams in the country. Our defence swallowed up every Monaghan attack from the 18th minute on bar the one goal chance before half time. I lost count of the amount of times Monaghan were dispossed and the workrate the entire defence as well as Penrose, Joe McMahon and Dooher has to be admired. The spread of scores today is also very uplifting and if this form is continued into the quarter finals and the walking wounded Stevy O'Neill and Aidan Cassidy return to the fold I believe for the first time since September '08 we have reason to be optimistic of our chances of winning the All Ireland the year.

Well done also to our Minors on winning the Ulster title which will surely open up the conveyor belt of talent debate again. Good times

Mugsy i would love to draw Tyrone in the 1/4 final......Bring it on

you might not be there Mullins

Its a done deal bocerty Believe.. Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_biggrin

**mugsys_barber** Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:31 pm

mullins wrote:
bocerty wrote:
mullins wrote:
mugsys_barber wrote:The two provincial winners today maybe proves that the kentucky fried National Football League or whatever they call it means absolutely sweet FA come summer time. Many people prior to the game were tipping Monaghan simply because they beat us by a point in the league and on the back of beating a very poor 14 man Armagh team. I have been an admirer of Monaghan's togetherness and team spirit but the class and experience of this Tyrone side simply blew them away.

Tyrone are a completely different proposition in championship football and have shown themselves as being one of the top two teams in the country. Our defence swallowed up every Monaghan attack from the 18th minute on bar the one goal chance before half time. I lost count of the amount of times Monaghan were dispossed and the workrate the entire defence as well as Penrose, Joe McMahon and Dooher has to be admired. The spread of scores today is also very uplifting and if this form is continued into the quarter finals and the walking wounded Stevy O'Neill and Aidan Cassidy return to the fold I believe for the first time since September '08 we have reason to be optimistic of our chances of winning the All Ireland the year.

Well done also to our Minors on winning the Ulster title which will surely open up the conveyor belt of talent debate again. Good times

Mugsy i would love to draw Tyrone in the 1/4 final......Bring it on

you might not be there Mullins

Its a done deal bocerty Believe..

Mullins, I would welcome a quarter final draw against Dublin. The atmosphere is always class and Mugsy usually comes up with a wonder goal and if not the others produce about 2 or 3. The old priest's curse that Dublin will never beat Tyrone again in Croke park after the '95 daylight robbery will always see us through at any rate.

I wouldn't get too carried away about the dubs getting to the 1/4 final just yet as ye have to get by the Leinster champions first. Ulster SF Championship Final 2010 - Page 2 Icon_wink

**bocerty** Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:15 am

without wanting to sound like I am rubbing salt in the wounds this transpired into an 'easier' victory for Tyrone than many of us expected. I actually expected Monaghan to win!!!

The loss of Corey before hand was a big blow to Monaghan but it didn't seem to effect them too much in the first 10 minutes or so. The Tyrone defence yesterday i thought were excellent, i had my doubts about Mc Carron starting but i have to say he more than justified his selection in keeping Freeman quiet, and for me was a strong contender for MOTM. Gormley done a great job on Finlay, though Gormley seemed to play most of the match in the attacking half of the field which suited us quiet a bit. Justy never give Mc Manus a sniff of the ball at all. Therein lay the winning and losing of the game we contained their 3 danger men and Monaghan had no other outlets for scoring.

We on the other hand had 10 or so different scorers, by half time out entire half back line had scored from play as had Hub Hughes, we had so many options across the park Monaghan simply had no answer, we snuffed out every attack time and time again.

The biggest issue i had with Tyrone yesterday was at times we broke down Monaghan attacks and counter attacked and yet there was no forwards within 25 yards of the Monaghan goal to play the ball to, thats were we needed Stephen O' Neill, we were committing too many men too deep at times and had no outlet when we did regain possession.

That said it was a great day for Tyrone and another double Ulster title success for the county. Another thing worth mentioning is a bit of praise for an often much maligned player. During the presentation Ricey went out of his way to find Tommy Freeman who was obviously devastated by the result. In a very sporting gesture Ricey consoled Freeman and could be seen telling him to keep the head up and that Monaghan weren't finished yet.

On the topic of the minor game i have to say i think the referee (not sure who he was) deserved special praise for his handling of the game, he refereed it with a lot of common sense and got 99.9% of his calls right. Armagh on yesterdays showing are a poor enough side, Tyrone completely dominated most of the game bar the last 10 minutes were they switched off completely. The Armagh No 2 obviously has some opinion of himself as a player, he got roasted from start to finish but spent the whole game trying to wind his man up with silly gestures, if only he had seen the view we had from the sideline of how much a roasting he was getting he would have realised his efforts would have been better spent trying to curtail his man.

**redhandman** Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:34 pm

On the topic of the minor game i have to say i think the referee (not sure who he was) deserved special praise for his handling of the game, he refereed it with a lot of common sense and got 99.9% of his calls right. Armagh on yesterdays showing are a poor enough side, Tyrone completely dominated most of the game bar the last 10 minutes were they switched off completely. The Armagh No 2 obviously has some opinion of himself as a player, he got roasted from start to finish but spent the whole game trying to wind his man up with silly gestures, if only he had seen the view we had from the sideline of how much a roasting he was getting he would have realised his efforts would have been better spent trying to curtail his man.[/quote]

an easy game to ref as tyrone were streets ahead of armagh. the lino on the geriatrics side had a howler he gave 4-5 line balls the wrong way!

the no.2 laughed at the young fella from greencastle after he missed an early goal chance ( tyrone were only 9 2 up!) he then started to shout about the ball coming in he started a bit of a row at half time by pushing and shoving fellas about the place. three words descride him A BAD CHILD.

the senior game was very dissappointing- i thought we would win but was thinking the 1-3 point margin. maybe the hype and pressure got to the monaghan men? it made the game a non event they went the last 10-15 of the first half and maybe the first twenty of the second half without scoring.

colm cavanagh was unusually very good( i thought the goal would have got him MOTM) the defence was first rate . mugsy went through a days work just left the old shooting boots at home.

what encourages me going forward is that you couldnt name the tyrone starting 15 there is prob 20-23 men who could start and play well on any given day. also pascal mcconnell has really stood out above JD and JC this year and i think if he keeps playing like this or doesnt make any mistakes shoudl be a shoo in for an all star.

**bocerty** Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:46 pm

it may have been one sided RHM but he still got most of the calls right - in particular the tackling - most referees when they see a player being crowded in the tackle they immediately blow and gave the free even though they have seen nothing that constitutes a foul. The ref yesterday was very patient in this aspect and more often than not blew for over carrying which is usually the foul thats committed when players are surrounded in the tackle.

**redhandman** Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:55 pm

yeah thats a fair point boc. the point i was making but was that he wasnt mentioned as their was no real contensious issues to deal with . the reason being tyroen were so much better. i will also accept the even in fairly one sided games a poor ref can still be a talking point, and he did a really good job. they say the best refs are the ones you dont notice. he was also very alert for slight touches and gave a few 45's that his umpires missed but you could clear as day hear the ball slapping off finger tips.

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