Mid-term report

A great summary TC! Maith an fear.

McCrory at corner back really is a big concern TC, he was never great on the ball but always could be depended on to do a man marking or very close marking job, but forwards seem to be getting the upper hand on him very easily this year.

i would be taking him out of the team if i was Mickey, the sooner Carlin gets back to fitness the better

bocerty wrote:McCrory at corner back really is a big concern TC, he was never great on the ball but always could be depended on to do a man marking or very close marking job, but forwards seem to be getting the upper hand on him very easily this year.

i would be taking him out of the team if i was Mickey, the sooner Carlin gets back to fitness the better

Agreed, he was taken to the cleaners by McManamon, and has struggled in most games this year. McCrory is quick and a good size, but he is not improving. He has always been one of those 'bend but not break' type defenders, the sort who will stand off and give up a couple of points, rather than gambling and jumping in at the risk of conceding goals (Ryan McMenamin was also like this, but a better version).

To my eyes, McCrory's problem is that, while not contesting the ball, he isn't standing back far enough, meaning that the opponent is gaining possession, and then just rolls around McCrory who is in too tight. He is the weakest link in Tyrone's defence, yet has started pretty much every game for the last 18 months.

Any news on Carlin returning?

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:McCrory at corner back really is a big concern TC, he was never great on the ball but always could be depended on to do a man marking or very close marking job, but forwards seem to be getting the upper hand on him very easily this year.

i would be taking him out of the team if i was Mickey, the sooner Carlin gets back to fitness the better

Agreed, he was taken to the cleaners by McManamon, and has struggled in most games this year. McCrory is quick and a good size, but he is not a developing. He has always been one of those 'bend but not break' type defenders, the sort who will stand off and give up a couple of points, rather than gambling and jumping in at the risk of conceding goals (Ryan McMenamin was also like this, but a better version).

To my eyes, McCrory's problem is that, while not contesting the ball, he isn't standing back far enough, meaning that the opponent is gaining possession, and then just rolls around McCrory who is in too tight. He is the weakest link in Tyrone's defence, yet has started pretty much every game for the last 18 months.

Any news on Carlin returning?

Not sure were he is at with his recovery TC, i know he has the leg brace off so i can only presume that his return to action is not too far off.

I hope he makes it back - either he or the always-injured PJ Quinn would be better options than either of or corner men at the minute (McCrory & McCarron). On form, McCrory is the weakest.

From what I have seen Dublin will be a serious threat this year. Donegal have yet to show their hand but I think will win Ulster handily enough. Mayo seem to be geared for C'ship only and Cork are building it up nicely. Don't see anything beyond these.

Parouisa wrote:From what I have seen Dublin will be a serious threat this year. Donegal have yet to show their hand but I think will win Ulster handily enough. Mayo seem to be geared for C'ship only and Cork are building it up nicely. Don't see anything beyond these.

I'd put Dublin and Donegal clearly out in front, followed by Cork and Mayo, although both of these have question marks. Beyond that, Tyrone, Kildare and Kerry are all long shots, but any of them could upset the sides above them in a one-off game.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

Parouisa wrote:From what I have seen Dublin will be a serious threat this year. Donegal have yet to show their hand but I think will win Ulster handily enough. Mayo seem to be geared for C'ship only and Cork are building it up nicely. Don't see anything beyond these.

I'd put Dublin and Donegal clearly out in front, followed by Cork and Mayo, although both of these have question marks. Beyond that, Tyrone, Kildare and Kerry are all long shots, but any of them could upset the sides above them in a one-off game.

O'Neill is a big loss to Cork, i was pretty impressed with their defence against Donegal. I would have more hope for them if the man at the helm was replaced. When it comes to the business end of the season Cork are very often out thought by the opposition and i see no reason why that wont happen again.

Dublin are well out in front but the main men need to stay injury/suspension free. Donegal will struggle. Mayo are still an enigma and its anyones guess how they will perform.

Tyrone are still building and whilst they are capable of beating the top teams they could take a real hammering at the same time.

Its Dublins to lose

I'd agree with most of that Boc, particularly the comments on Tyrone and Cork.

As regards Mayo, I don't see where they are going to improve - same players, and they were very well prepared last year. An injury (or suspension) to Aidan O'Shea would finish them off.

Only thing I'd disagree with is that I don't see Dublin being far out in front of Donegal. If the champs get past Tyrone they will be very hard to beat later in the year.

Thomas Clarke wrote:I'd agree with most of that Boc, particularly the comments on Tyrone and Cork.

As regards Mayo, I don't see where they are going to improve - same players, and they were very well prepared last year. An injury (or suspension) to Aidan O'Shea would finish them off.

Only thing I'd disagree with is that I don't see Dublin being far out in front of Donegal. If the champs get past Tyrone they will be very hard to beat later in the year.

Tyrone will beat Donegal TC i am convinced of that much.

bocerty wrote:
Tyrone will beat Donegal TC i am convinced of that much.

The venue will come into it, hence Donegal are desperately trying to get Ballyboffey ready.

Beyond that, though, Tyrone do match up well against Donegal. We have tall, strong defenders, and have opened them up more than any other side in both 2011 & 2012 - trouble was we didn't take our chances early on either year, and then Donegal's power told in the 2nd half of both games.

There is a lot of talk about Donegal being behind Tyrone in terms of fitness, and McGuinness said this himself after the league game. While it is very possible, I thought that that was an unusual comment for McGuinness to make, as if he really thought that his side were sand-bagging I'm not sure he would have said it. I think they are well-matched and it will be one of the games of the summer.

Thomas Clarke wrote:As regards Mayo, I don't see where they are going to improve - same players, and they were very well prepared last year. An injury (or suspension) to Aidan O'Shea would finish them off.

Only thing I'd disagree with is that I don't see Dublin being far out in front of Donegal. If the champs get past Tyrone they will be very hard to beat later in the year.

Donegal as champions are the team to catch. I can not see anyone in Ulster beating them and they have the best possible draw in Tyrone to focus the mind.

Re Mayo - I was impressed with Conroy and Varley for Mayo in the League and people are forgetting that they lost Andy Moran (their equivalent of Brian Dooher) in last year's QF - he may be back for the business end? He is a huge player for them. The one thing that may go against Mayo this season is that referees (hopefully) will note their cynicism - they got away with murder last year.

Refereeing is one issue that really worries me this year. Some of the 'top' referees are woeful. What I have seen this year in the League makes me very apprehensive and I (have a greater than ever!) fear that tight games will be won or lost on inconsistent or substandard refereeing.

Cork losing Colm O'Neill is a shocking blow - to him and the team - and my heart goes out to the lad. I agree with Boc re Counihan. I feel this Cork team would have had more than one Celtic Cross with a different management.

we are asking refs to do too much Parouisa and too much pressure being out on them.

They are only human and i can tell you having done a bit of it myself its not an easy job to do, and the games i was involved in were nothing like an inter-county game were it is full speed for 70 minutes.

Big thing is take the time keeping off them - that said players and managers could an awful lot more to help the referees, it is nigh on an impossible job in modern day football.

bocerty wrote:Big thing is take the time keeping off them - that said players and managers could an awful lot more to help the referees, it is nigh on an impossible job in modern day football.

I wouldn't disagree with that at all Boc. But there are too many 'top' refs who just do not cut it at all and they continue to give them the big games.

Thomas Clarke wrote:I'd agree with most of that Boc, particularly the comments on Tyrone and Cork.

As regards Mayo, I don't see where they are going to improve - same players, and they were very well prepared last year. An injury (or suspension) to Aidan O'Shea would finish them off.

Far from me to advocate dissent to the esteemed opinions of TC, but I'm of the opinion that O'Shea adds nothing to Mayo's cause. He was a tremendous minor (there have been many) but he lacks the athleticism required in the modern game. He appears ponderous, addicted to the extra solo-tap and anxious to match his physicality with the next available opponent. And very one-sided to boot.

The game today requires massive mobility from 5-12, Aidan O'Shea is a throwback to the 1970's.

It's interesting Boxty, and I agree with some of what you say. He can be slow at moving the ball and take the wrong options, and his penchant for trouble sees him walk a continual tightrope.

However, I see him very much like Michael Dara McAuley, and not just due to the short fuse. They are both very strong, powerful on the run, and when they are going well the whole team seems to be driving forward. O'Shea is a power athlete, and not blessed with a great engine. He catches the eye with great bursts of power, and it is during these moments that, in my opinion, Mayo generally dominate games. Their problems come when he takes his rests.

Interesting though to hear a completely different take on him - I guess we'll have a better idea as the summer goes on, and we see what impact he can make in big games against the likes of McAuley, Cavanagh, Walsh, Maher and Gallagher.

Boxtyeater wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:I'd agree with most of that Boc, particularly the comments on Tyrone and Cork.

As regards Mayo, I don't see where they are going to improve - same players, and they were very well prepared last year. An injury (or suspension) to Aidan O'Shea would finish them off.

Far from me to advocate dissent to the esteemed opinions of TC, but I'm of the opinion that O'Shea adds nothing to Mayo's cause. He was a tremendous minor (there have been many) but he lacks the athleticism required in the modern game. He appears ponderous, addicted to the extra solo-tap and anxious to match his physicality with the next available opponent. And very one-sided to boot.

The game today requires massive mobility from 5-12, Aidan O'Shea is a throwback to the 1970's.

Boxty i think that's a very fair assessment of O'Shea, he spends too much of his time looking for trouble during games. I know he left Stephen O'Neill black and blue after the Tyrone game recently.

bocerty wrote:
Boxty i think that's a very fair assessment of O'Shea, he spends too much of his time looking for trouble during games. I know he left Stephen O'Neill black and blue after the Tyrone game recently.

True Boc, but he was also Mayo's best player by a country mile that day, and single-handedly led their revival in the last 15 minutes.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:
Boxty i think that's a very fair assessment of O'Shea, he spends too much of his time looking for trouble during games. I know he left Stephen O'Neill black and blue after the Tyrone game recently.

True Boc, but he was also Mayo's best player by a country mile that day, and single-handedly led their revival in the last 15 minutes.

i agree TC and he is highly influential for them when he does play but channel the aggression in the right way not going looking for a fight all the time. A powerful lad but has his limitations