McKenna Cup 2024

[Ed Ricketts]

Any win against Tyrone is a good win. You need to make a habit of winning against these teams, even if it's 'only' the McKenna Cup. I know when we've lost to them in the past in it, it's irritated me. Just from the fact that it gives them a tiny psychological boost. Of course it's not the League or Championship, but it's a little paper cut, that stings. Great to see Oisin O'Neill back and scoring. We've had to be patient with him and hopefully he can get a run of games and start getting up to the level we all know he's capable of. I would love to see him as our out and out full forward. He's big, fast, win's his own ball, can bring others into play, is an aerial threat and can score. He could be a real handful for any defence and is something we've been lacking. Kerry have got Clifford, Dublin have Con, Galway have Comer - a rock in at full forward. I'm not saying he's at their level yet, but you can see the similarities.

Would someone be able to name the team that lined out, as it appears to be slightly different from the one named?

One change. N Grimley in for B Crealey.

 

[Wide ball]

Any win against Tyrone is a good win. You need to make a habit of winning against these teams, even if it's 'only' the McKenna Cup. I know when we've lost to them in the past in it, it's irritated me. Just from the fact that it gives them a tiny psychological boost. Of course it's not the League or Championship, but it's a little paper cut, that stings. Great to see Oisin O'Neill back and scoring. We've had to be patient with him and hopefully he can get a run of games and start getting up to the level we all know he's capable of. I would love to see him as our out and out full forward. He's big, fast, win's his own ball, can bring others into play, is an aerial threat and can score. He could be a real handful for any defence and is something we've been lacking. Kerry have got Clifford, Dublin have Con, Galway have Comer - a rock in at full forward. I'm not saying he's at their level yet, but you can see the similarities.

Would someone be able to name the team that lined out, as it appears to be slightly different from the one named?

Only change from what was named was crealy off and grimley in

 

[Wide ball]

Any win against Tyrone is a good win. You need to make a habit of winning against these teams, even if it's 'only' the McKenna Cup. I know when we've lost to them in the past in it, it's irritated me. Just from the fact that it gives them a tiny psychological boost. Of course it's not the League or Championship, but it's a little paper cut, that stings. Great to see Oisin O'Neill back and scoring. We've had to be patient with him and hopefully he can get a run of games and start getting up to the level we all know he's capable of. I would love to see him as our out and out full forward. He's big, fast, win's his own ball, can bring others into play, is an aerial threat and can score. He could be a real handful for any defence and is something we've been lacking. Kerry have got Clifford, Dublin have Con, Galway have Comer - a rock in at full forward. I'm not saying he's at their level yet, but you can see the similarities.

Would someone be able to name the team that lined out, as it appears to be slightly different from the one named?

I'd agree with shiftya, think he is better in midfield as he can fetch and has long range score in him, especially when we have his brother and murnin as big men who can also play full forward, I think a big spine of him and crealy/mcpartlan with Rian at 11 and murnin at 14 that's more than enough height and can put speed and scorers in and around them

 

[Patrick-Armagh]

Think he’s better in midfield, good hands and has an eye for a good forward kick. If Murnin can carry over the form from last year I’d like to see him at 14. Flanked by Cian and Rian.

Can't believe I forgot about Murnin! He was outstanding last year and rightfully got nominated for an All Star. Jeez, we'd have some options at midfield then. The O'Neills, Grimley, Crealy, Mackin and anyone else I've forgotten.

Good to see Niall Rowland back. I think he's a really good player. Not the quickest, but a very smart player.

 

[ShiftYa]

Oisin and Niall (given he even half the player before the neck injury) would be my preferred MF pairing, with Crealy close third! Would love to see J’OG compete for a MF spot but for whatever reason that seems unlikely.

 

[armaghtimmy]

Good game last night for the time of year, looking at who can come in and push for a place from last years ulster final team definitely Oisin O'Neill and Grimley but was impressed with Mc Grane also. A lot of time in the modern game its the corner backs that find themselves further forward so having one comfortable taking scores is huge and he has pace and energy. Cian busy also and took a good point from play. Must be serious competition for places now in training as the older players come back and make a push so all looks positive so far.

 

[Wide ball]

Oisin and Niall (given he even half the player before the neck injury) would be my preferred MF pairing, with Crealy close third! Would love to see J’OG compete for a MF spot but for whatever reason that seems unlikely.

For me jarly og in halfback offers pace in attack and a kick out option, we have more than enough height and fetching ability in our team with jarly og oisin and Rian, murnin and Duffy usually starters that's why it cracks me up when in some matches we get penned in, should be near impossible with the sheer amount of options we have

 

[Diarmi]

Ye know something, I actually think Cian would thrive in a deeper role. He and Conor McCarthy are similar footballers in their style and build. He has reinvented himself as a HB. I reckon that genuinely could be the place for Cian, playing at no 5

Previously I would never have thought this would be an option but I actually agree with you here big guy. His tackling last night was excellent as was his work rate. Previously we have went with someone like Jarly in HB but a smaller more mobile, skilful player could definitely work. Great to have these options/headaches for management, lets just hope they make better decisions this time.
I think Rowland is there for his kick passing into the forward line. Before he was injured you could see Geezer was playing him in this role. My worry now is that he has lost a bit of pace but maybe that is just because it is early in the season. I would have similar concerns about Mark Sheilds, I thought he was a bit off the pace last night and was at fault for the first goal.
Oisin O'Neill was immense, I think he will be massive for us this year.

 

[Diarmi]

For me jarly og in halfback offers pace in attack and a kick out option, we have more than enough height and fetching ability in our team with jarly og oisin and Rian, murnin and Duffy usually starters that's why it cracks me up when in some matches we get penned in, should be near impossible with the sheer amount of options we have

Disagree, I would love to see him in midfield, that is where he has played his best for us previously.

 

[Wide ball]

Previously I would never have thought this would be an option but I actually agree with you here big guy. His tackling last night was excellent as was his work rate. Previously we have went with someone like Jarly in HB but a smaller more mobile, skilful player could definitely work. Great to have these options/headaches for management, lets just hope they make better decisions this time.
I think Rowland is there for his kick passing into the forward line. Before he was injured you could see Geezer was playing him in this role. My worry now is that he has lost a bit of pace but maybe that is just because it is early in the season. I would have similar concerns about Mark Sheilds, I thought he was a bit off the pace last night and was at fault for the first goal.
Oisin O'Neill was immense, I think he will be massive for us this year.

I actually heard someone say last year that they heard geezer say the only way mcconville will get in the team was if he reinvented himself as a half back as he is down the list of forwards,

 

[Armagh_paul]

If McConville lives up to expectations people have had of him over the last few years there's going to be questions for management to answer for.

 

[Naka]

If McConville lives up to expectations people have had of him over the last few years there's going to be questions for management to answer for.

How?
Maybe just maybe realisation is hitting Cian and he is going for it.
He was excellent last night
Hopefully he continues on Saturday

 

[Wide ball]

How?
Maybe just maybe realisation is hitting Cian and he is going for it.
He was excellent last night
Hopefully he continues on Saturday

I agree I think he was good and some players take longer to develop for county football, I hope he kicks on now and maybe a run of games will help

 

[GAAGael]

How?
Maybe just maybe realisation is hitting Cian and he is going for it.
He was excellent last night
Hopefully he continues on Saturday

Or maybe he finally got his chance?

 

[Hoops]

O O’Neill is a full forward option, he is nowhere near fit enough for midfield. His fitness was a problem in some of the cross club games never mind trying to run after brendan rodgers or conor glass in an ulster final.

He’s a clinical finisher, arguably a better marksman than either turbitt or murnin, and he’s more likely to push murnin out than turbitt as they’re more similar in style. Or potentially he could put the squeeze on grugan at 11.

 

[gazman317]

Or maybe he finally got his chance?

He played mckenna cup last year, got very little game time in league and championship after that so could be same again this year

 

[Wee man]

Previously I would never have thought this would be an option but I actually agree with you here big guy. His tackling last night was excellent as was his work rate. Previously we have went with someone like Jarly in HB but a smaller more mobile, skilful player could definitely work. Great to have these options/headaches for management, lets just hope they make better decisions this time.
I think Rowland is there for his kick passing into the forward line. Before he was injured you could see Geezer was playing him in this role. My worry now is that he has lost a bit of pace but maybe that is just because it is early in the season. I would have similar concerns about Mark Sheilds, I thought he was a bit off the pace last night and was at fault for the first goal.
Oisin O'Neill was immense, I think he will be massive for us this year.

also Rowlands knee was heavily strapped so perhaps that was a factor.

 

[GAAGael]

He played mckenna cup last year, got very little game time in league and championship after that so could be same again this year

I think he only got 30 mins v Cavan in the McKenna Cup? Then 2 min cameos in one or two league/championship games. Not a great opportunity.

 

[Wide ball]

I think he only got 30 mins v Cavan in the McKenna Cup? Then 2 min cameos in one or two league/championship games. Not a great opportunity.

He got 20 mins v Antrim too and top scored for Armagh that game

 

[Armaghball]

Would have thought Cian too good of a forward to play out the field he’d be wasted but very hard to pick 6 starting forwards now with the Cullyhanna lads to come back as well who’ve all been brilliant for the club.

O’Neill would want to be playing some stuff to take Murnins place who was our best player along with Forker last year.

Rafferty

Morgan
McKay
Forker

McQuillan
McCabe
Conor O’Neill

Grimley
Crealey

Grugan
Oisin O’Neill
Soupy

Duffy
Rian
Murnin

That’s a tough team to pick. Turbo, Nugent, McCambridge Jarly Og, Paddy Burns, Mackin, TK, McConville and probably more that I’m forgetting could all start there as well no problem.