14/04/2015 13:06:36
Byanthon
County: Tyrone
Posts: 987

1714055
The importance of the league is always hard to call but the performances against Mayo, Dublin, Kerry and Cork were good and could set them up for a good summer. Tyrone were relegated from Division 1 when they reached the All-Ireland Final in 1986 and were average in 2008 won three, lost three.

I personally can't understand the hype over Tyrone being relegated. It's not the Tyrone team of the last decade we're talking about, it's a new crop of players who aren't as talented but are still quality players. Plus, it's only the league, who really cares? Tyrone always produce competitive teams, but this team doesn't hold the 'fear factor' previous teams have. Not many teams would fear playing Tyrone now. And it's not a great sign that players are dropping out of the squad, if Tyrone were challenging for honours this would never happen.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 14/04/2015 15:01:41    1714104

cuederocket
County: Dublin
Posts: 1910

After losing some of their greatest ever players like O Neill,Canavan,Dooher etc a period of transition was inevitable.



This point seems to always rile Tyrone people up the wrong way but it's not intended to. . .

Tyrone won the all ireland in 2008 without Canavan and O'Neill (apart for a cameo on AI final day). Both Dooher and Sean Cavanagh were outstanding throughout the 08 campaign (as they were in 03 and 05).
Surely this places questions on the "greatness" of canavan??
I don't think they'd have won the 03 or 05 all irelands without Dooher or Cavanagh for example.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 14/04/2015 15:08:01    1714107

cavanman47
County: Cavan
Posts: 1101

This point seems to always rile Tyrone people up the wrong way but it's not intended to. . .

Tyrone won the all ireland in 2008 without Canavan and O'Neill (apart for a cameo on AI final day). Both Dooher and Sean Cavanagh were outstanding throughout the 08 campaign (as they were in 03 and 05).
Surely this places questions on the "greatness" of canavan??
I don't think they'd have won the 03 or 05 all irelands without Dooher or Cavanagh for example.
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You've made this point before. While entitled to your opinion, virtually everyone in Tyrone who has seen Canavan and Cavanagh in their respective primes would say that the former was greater. That's no slight on Sean, who has been a colossal footballer for the last 12-13 years, but almost everyone I know would rate Canavan ahead of him. I suspect that you don't recall the 1993-1996 version of Canavan, as he was never really the same after his ankle injury, but in that era he was as good as anyone, ever.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 14/04/2015 16:24:34    1714138

Tyrone need a bit more grit, especially in their full back line. The great Tyrone sides from 2003-2008 were tough outfits, who you wouldn't muscle around too easily. However looking at the current team, the likes of Donegal, Monaghan and Armagh all seem quite comfortable shoving Tyrone around.

If you look at the top 3 or 4 sides in the Country right now, you could nearly pick their strongest starting 15's. But if you look at Tyrone, they can often chop and change a lot of players and don't seem to be sure of their strongest 15.

I don't buy that Tyrone don't have the talent, I believe they have dropped the ball and become too complacent. You have the most plush and fancy centre of excellence in Ulster, and the best funded underage coaching setup in Ulster. Your still successful and Minor and U21 level, so I would be looking closely at why these players are not making the jump to senior successfully.

Mickey Harte is a shrewd tactical manager, but his voice does not have the same effect on the Tyrone players of this era. And being a great manager is not only about being a tactical master, you must be able to make the players play their hearts out for you. Tyrone currently have a few men like Peter Harte who give it their all, but the rest can be complacent. I'm not saying they aren't talented, just complacent.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 14/04/2015 16:42:29    1714154

Tyrone obviously have a tough opener. They drew 3 of their league games so were not too far off staying in Division 1. I was impressed enough by them against Kerry. At this early stage, I'd see the game against Donegal as very much 50-50. The defeated team will have to regroup fast when taking the scenic route to the quarter-finals.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7853 - 14/04/2015 19:33:31    1714241

legendzxix
County: Kerry
Posts: 4151

1714241 Tyrone obviously have a tough opener. They drew 3 of their league games so were not too far off staying in Division 1. I was impressed enough by them against Kerry. At this early stage, I'd see the game against Donegal as very much 50-50. The defeated team will have to regroup fast when taking the scenic route to the quarter-finals.

I think if being honest, Donegal are a much stronger outfit and have been for the past 4 years.

Tyrone can hope for an upset on the day, but they are slightly behind Donegal and Monaghan at present. And for that reason, I can't see it as 50:50 game.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 14/04/2015 20:34:29    1714275

legendzxix
County: Kerry
Posts: 4151

1714241 Tyrone obviously have a tough opener. They drew 3 of their league games so were not too far off staying in Division 1. I was impressed enough by them against Kerry. At this early stage, I'd see the game against Donegal as very much 50-50. The defeated team will have to regroup fast when taking the scenic route to the quarter-finals.
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No appetite for a run through the qualifiers, its a long, long haul from May until the QF's in August, especially with the threadbare squad we have now.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 14/04/2015 20:39:53    1714280