Hughes
Burns
McKay
McCambridge
Forker
McCabe
C.O'Neill
Ciaran Mackin
Crealey
McElroy
Grugan
Duffy
Turbitt
Murnin
Conaty
That's the team I'd hope to see start. Blaine has done absolutely nothing to warrant being dropped and if anything, he's got better as the year has went on.
Burns will be a nailed on starter. Probably his best league campaign to date and an out and out man marker when required. McKay has been a mixed bag but still offers that robustness and size at FB and if McCambridge is fit he's a natural starter there for the same reasons as Burns. Harsh on young McGrane but I do think we've the rose tinted glasses on a small bit due to his goals and general attacking play. He still is a small bit naive as a defender but nonetheless, a great option to have.
In the HB line, McCabe has been remarkable so far and I think he'd relish the CHB spot. Conor O'Neill was flying prior to injury. I'm concerned with how Forker has been so far this year but you'd hope he'll be a different animal come championship.
MF is our debacle. The two lads I've in are the best for the job. Jarly Og was very good at the weekend but I don't think he's done enough just yet to warrant a starting spot. But that being said, if he does get significant game time in the QF and hopefully a SF he could easily play his way in. Connaire Mackin could do the same if fit.
Grugan has been immense, no further explanation needed and with Joe McElroy he offered attacking prowess along with defensive capabilities when tracking back, having had a great league. I like the selection of Duffy for similar reasons. He's a hard working individual who is not afraid to get the hands dirty and well capable of contributing on the score board.
Turbitt has flattered to deceive against bigger opposition but I think that's as much psychological as anything and will come with time. Murnin is a big game player on the other hand and oozes talent. If we can get quick, early ball in to him we can cause havoc. And again, similar to McGrane, Conaty is still a small bit naive and new but I'd see no reason not to start him come the Fermanagh game.
That leaves Soupy, O O'Neill, R O'Neill, Jarly Og, McGrane, McQuillan, Nugent, TK, Hall, McPartlan, Rafferty, McConville, Grimley, Morgan.
Serious strength and depth on the bench. I do think that Rian and Oisin are definitely still some bit away and haven't shown anything to suggest they should be starting. As good as Soupy has been I do think he's a better impact player off the bench. TK, and McQuillan could slot in for Duffy and Conaty as could Cian McConville and already mentioned Jarly Og above. Morgan's lack of discipline and tendency to pick up black/red cards is enough to put me off having him start. He's still an effective man marker but a lot of injuries and lack of game time could be the cause of that competitive edge dwindling.
When you list the lot out like that it's a hell of squad who should on their day be capable of competing with anyone. Let's just hope on May 12th (provided we beat the next two opponents) we've something to show for it.
Team I'd like to see is
B Hughes
P Burns
A McKay
B McCambridge
C O'Neill
A Forker
J og Burns
B Crealy
S McPartlan (won't happen)
S Campbell
R O'Neill
J Duffy/R McQuillan
C Turbitt
O O'Neill
R Grugan (free role to go out and play make)
When all players are fit I'd have James Morgan back in the team instead of burns in cornerback. Morgan and mccambridge are the teams 2 best man markers and with teams showing they can break mass defences down more now I think we need some more man markers, team is harsh on Conaty especially as he has been excellent, I think tiernan Kelly worth a shout too as he has massive potential is a kick out option and can kick a score. This team has kick passers in forker, grugan and Rian, has height in the 2 oneills and the midfield also OG burns and Duffy, and has pace with Campbell, Turbitt, og burns,