More or less what is in my head although possibly more eloquently put than I would have done.Losing last night was a bit of a disappointment, especially to Tyrone, but I can't say that I'm that bothered. We all know that Tyrone have been operating at a high level than us for nearly a decade now. They are one of the top teams in Ireland, with a deep panel of players to chose from and last night it showed that they are further ahead than us. But I think that what most fans wanted to see was us be competitive, which we were and for some better finishing, we could have won that game. The McKenna Cup has served it's purpose for us. We have gotten the maximum amount of games out of it, we've played some top teams (even if some of them haven't been at full strength) and won, we've introduced some new players to the panel and some of them have shown a lot of promise, other players who've been on the panel for a while and played sporadically have developed more and look more capable at county level and we've got some of our best players back and they are performing well. Our fitness levels will be high and have played plenty of football to get up to speed. I think that we are in a good place going into the league and we'll need to be because everyone of our games now is going to be competitive and we are going to need to play well to pick up points.
It was pleasing to see us stay with Tyrone and not throw in the towel when in the past we might have done. There were a number of needless turnovers last night, with sloppy passes or bad decisions, which Tyrone just pounce on and scored off. Every team will turn the ball over in a game, but it's the ones when we are under no pressure to give the ball away or run up a blind alley or put a player in trouble with a poor pass that are so frustrating.
I thought Niall Grimley had a good game, but that free at the end was a big miss especially when he'd nailed all the others. Stefan Campbell got some good points from play. Defensively we looked better I thought, even though there was some poor tackling. Kick outs were a problem and again it showed the level that Tyrone are at they were able to make it so difficult for us to find our men. I think James Morgan is a brilliant defender, but his gun-ho approach, launching into players on the ground and his over enthusiastic tackling gives away frees. I thought it was harsh to a second yellow as he clearly slipped and then collided with the player. Tyrone also got some frees which clearly never were, but that happens in every game.
It's been a good campaign, with some tough matches that should really set us up well for the league.
Again it goes back to what I previously posted on the subject. He really loves to preach. Typical old school teacher. To be fair though my wife told me that TG4 also had Forker playing and she didn't understand it because she knows him real well and couldn't see him nor understand how he could be playing.Final comment I see our announcer friend took it on himself to start explaining the rules decision on hand pass during the game and at end we took Forker off....sweet Jesus he had time before game and he should have team right.....on and he was going to have heart attack as kids needed leave playing does as was health and saftey issue....this on day gaa launched bring a ball for national league for kids to play on pitch at halftime. They all paid their £2/€2 in
Measured and constructive. I can agree with that.Thought it was a decent performance and with a bit more belief and discipline could have won.
Tackling needs to improve. I thought the management should have had James off as he was inevitably going to get sent off. That is something that must be addressed from their point of view. There’s good players to come to the defence and that will shore it up a fair bit.
Midfield I thought that Grimley did well but Sheridan was disappointing. He’s a good player but I just don’t know if he’s quite good enough to push on. I think come championship time Oisin o Neill is the option for there. If Oisin is in that vicinity then you play Rian on the square with Jamie and Soupy. When Murnin is back id play him on the half forward line. Grugan i still think is not a central player and may suit playing with a stronger ball winner like murnin beside him and a worker like forker. Positives but work to do so not a bad position.
I'd agree with a lot of this, particularly regarding oisin oneill at midfield and playing murnin at centre half forward. From what I've seen of rian, he looks as if needs he needs ball played in front of him whereas murnin looks very comfortable under a high ball - would this be fair enough assessment? Whilst it would be unfair on Grimley, would you have Rian hitting free kicks at this early stage?
What was Morgan’s first card for? To me it looked like he got it for someone else’s foulJust after watching the match again. Gets the blood boiling a bit. ! Think Morgan was actually unlucky with both his cards. McNamee needs a long ban.
What was Morgan’s first card for? To me it looked like he got it for someone else’s foul
I thought a lot of the yellows for us were for very little. If those are yellows then I just dunno. The most obvious yellow was when Burns got a high tackle towards the end and the Tyrone player didn’t even get a tick!I don't know. I didn't see him do much
Just after watching the match again. Gets the blood boiling a bit. ! Think Morgan was actually unlucky with both his cards. McNamee needs a long ban.
I t
I thought a lot of the yellows for us were for very little. If those are yellows then I just dunno. The most obvious yellow was when Burns got a high tackle towards the end and the Tyrone player didn’t even get a tick!
1-7 is the easy part
Hughes
Morgan
McKay
Hughes
Shields
Donaghy
Forker
Watched it again this morning TB and I can't argue with most points already made or change my mind on anything I've already said, except:Just after watching the match again. Gets the blood boiling a bit. ! Think Morgan was actually unlucky with both his cards. McNamee needs a long ban.
Watch it. You really will feel better when you see how much we have improved. Remember that the diving midgets are so called for a reason so that softens the blow. He who laughs last...................Can't bring myself to watch it yet as I know for certain my blood will be boiling.
One thing not mentioned I don't think - HOW the hell did Niall Grimley get so high for that catch in midfield? Fantastic catch
Denis Hollywood doesn't seem to be on the line (or maybe as much so not noticed) and Paddy "boy have I put weight on" McKeever is doing the running and seems to do it well.
Both good players and I particularly like McCabe but I don’t see them in the starting line up if everyone is fit.I don't think it is that easy. If fit, Burns in my opinion will be a certain starter while McCabe is another possibility.
There's a depth there in most departments now.
Can't bring myself to watch it yet as I know for certain my blood will be boiling.