Was very disappointed in Tyrone's performance yesterday although relieved that the injury to Sean Cavanagh was not as serious as first thought.
I have always believed that the Red Hands could emerge as one of the dark horses in this year's championship race if they could get their top players match fit with a run through the qualifiers.
However, they looked only a shadow of the side which won two All Irelands earlier in the decade and most importantly the key players they depend so much on look to be still off the pace.
Brian McGuigan shows flashes of the brilliance which made him the best centre half forward in the country before injury but isn't yet involved enough to meet the challenges of one of the top sides.
Dooher works hard and intelligently but for me has lost a yard of pace and at times looks a bit pedestrian and will struggle to make space against the top sides.
Mulligan never kicked leather when he came on and the full forward line just doesn't carry the threat that it used to and it's no wonder given that they had the two best forwards in the country at one stage playing with Mulligan.
Enda McGinley's performance was a big plus at midfield but the Red Hands will not win games against the teams now left in the qualifiers unless they can raise their game significantly and I haven't seen anything this year which convinces me that they can do that.
They are now in the last twelve and there are no poor sides left. Unless Tyrone draw one of the less fancied sides such as Wexford, Kildare their All-Ireland dream could finish next week especially if Cavanagh is ruled out with concussion.
Showing posts with label Tyrone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tyrone. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Breath-taking game of football
Great weekend of football in Ulster following Down's one-point win over Tyrone and Armagh seeing off Cavan to win at Breffni Park for the first time ever in the championship.
Last night's game between Tyrone and Down was captivating throughout.
Every so often there were flashes of the brilliance we have come to expect of Tyrone in recent seasons with some incisive football and finishing.
However, it's clear that the former champs are not firing on all cylinders.
They are still plagued by injuries, Enda McGinley missing out with concussion was another big blow to what has been one of the most unsettled midfields in the country.
The loss too of Colm Cavanagh who had scored four points in the first 25 minutes followed by his substitute Kevin Hughes leaving the field only about ten minutes later left Tyrone's resources in the middle of the park threadbare.
Brian McGuigan too was left out of the starting line-up but despite this Tyrone put in a credible performance, a storming finish to come back from the dead and at one point in the first period of extra time it looked like they could run away with it.
Sean Cavanagh led the fightback, while Ryan McMenamin, Conor Gormley and Tommy McGuigan all raised their game to bring the Red Hands back.
To Down's credit they simply refused to give up over the two games.
Liam Doyle, Aidan Carr, Dan Gordon were all top class once again and Benny Coulter produced the goods when it mattered most.
Down will take an awful lot of confidence out of the two games and the experience will stand them in good stead.
The Down attack have looked good over the two outings, a return of 16 points in normal time would win most tight games, and they were a lot tighter in defence than they had been in the first quarter of the game at Healy Park.
They will need no motivation for the semi final tie with Armagh with whom they enjoy a huge rivalry and most neutrals in Ulster will be looking forward already to that one.
There is no doubt about the Down men in that if they get their dander up they are one of the strongest teams in Ulster in terms of self belief.
For years they were the only side in Ulster who travelled to Croke Park expecting to win.
As for Tyrone a defeat like Saturday's will be hard to shake off.
They should have had this game won twice and blew it.
However, they are still a good side and much will depend on their mental strength and how quickly they can get a full side on the pitch.
I think they need a good draw in the qualifiers, which already has Donegal, Meath, Kildare and Monaghan in the shake-up.
If Tyrone can get another game under their belts they may just be able to regroup but it must look like a long road from here.
Last night's game between Tyrone and Down was captivating throughout.
Every so often there were flashes of the brilliance we have come to expect of Tyrone in recent seasons with some incisive football and finishing.
However, it's clear that the former champs are not firing on all cylinders.
They are still plagued by injuries, Enda McGinley missing out with concussion was another big blow to what has been one of the most unsettled midfields in the country.
The loss too of Colm Cavanagh who had scored four points in the first 25 minutes followed by his substitute Kevin Hughes leaving the field only about ten minutes later left Tyrone's resources in the middle of the park threadbare.
Brian McGuigan too was left out of the starting line-up but despite this Tyrone put in a credible performance, a storming finish to come back from the dead and at one point in the first period of extra time it looked like they could run away with it.
Sean Cavanagh led the fightback, while Ryan McMenamin, Conor Gormley and Tommy McGuigan all raised their game to bring the Red Hands back.
To Down's credit they simply refused to give up over the two games.
Liam Doyle, Aidan Carr, Dan Gordon were all top class once again and Benny Coulter produced the goods when it mattered most.
Down will take an awful lot of confidence out of the two games and the experience will stand them in good stead.
The Down attack have looked good over the two outings, a return of 16 points in normal time would win most tight games, and they were a lot tighter in defence than they had been in the first quarter of the game at Healy Park.
They will need no motivation for the semi final tie with Armagh with whom they enjoy a huge rivalry and most neutrals in Ulster will be looking forward already to that one.
There is no doubt about the Down men in that if they get their dander up they are one of the strongest teams in Ulster in terms of self belief.
For years they were the only side in Ulster who travelled to Croke Park expecting to win.
As for Tyrone a defeat like Saturday's will be hard to shake off.
They should have had this game won twice and blew it.
However, they are still a good side and much will depend on their mental strength and how quickly they can get a full side on the pitch.
I think they need a good draw in the qualifiers, which already has Donegal, Meath, Kildare and Monaghan in the shake-up.
If Tyrone can get another game under their belts they may just be able to regroup but it must look like a long road from here.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Pendulum swings to Tyrone
I think the pendulum has swung back Tyrone's way for their replayed Ulster football quarter final tie with Tyrone with the news that midfielder Dan Gordon will miss the game with a broken thumb.
Tyrone have injury worries of their own in Davy Harte, Colm Cavanagh and Enda McGinley but they lost the midfield battle against the Mournemen and Gordon will be a big loss to Down.
I think the draw will help Tyrone's bid to retain their Ulster title.
The only way for key men like Brian McGuigan and Brian Dooher to regain match fitness after their long lay-offs is by playing competitive games.
Both men showed well in patches on Sunday but they have a long way to go to reach the peaks they experienced in 2003 and 2005.
Another competitive game albeit a replay will be a step forward for both of them and a win would put Tyrone's season back on track.
That would guarantee them at least two more championship games and sometimes a team can rebuild its confidence and morale through a run of games.
The Red Hands have still not sorted out their problems in midfield, the loss of McGinley is a big blow, and the full back line still looks dodgy under the high ball.
The forward line is not firing on all cylinders either but there is still room to improve.
I think Tyrone will come through Saturday night's test but Down remain unpredictable and their ability to score goals always makes them a threat.
However, their full back line is poor and I think Tyrone will be more ruthless than they were last weekend.
Tyrone have injury worries of their own in Davy Harte, Colm Cavanagh and Enda McGinley but they lost the midfield battle against the Mournemen and Gordon will be a big loss to Down.
I think the draw will help Tyrone's bid to retain their Ulster title.
The only way for key men like Brian McGuigan and Brian Dooher to regain match fitness after their long lay-offs is by playing competitive games.
Both men showed well in patches on Sunday but they have a long way to go to reach the peaks they experienced in 2003 and 2005.
Another competitive game albeit a replay will be a step forward for both of them and a win would put Tyrone's season back on track.
That would guarantee them at least two more championship games and sometimes a team can rebuild its confidence and morale through a run of games.
The Red Hands have still not sorted out their problems in midfield, the loss of McGinley is a big blow, and the full back line still looks dodgy under the high ball.
The forward line is not firing on all cylinders either but there is still room to improve.
I think Tyrone will come through Saturday night's test but Down remain unpredictable and their ability to score goals always makes them a threat.
However, their full back line is poor and I think Tyrone will be more ruthless than they were last weekend.
Friday, 30 May 2008
Life of Brian
Looking forward to seeing how Brian McGuigan and Brian Dooher perform on Sunday week against Down for Tyrone.
It has to be good news for Tyrone that they're back because these men would give any team something special even if they are not firing on all cylinders.
Dooher is a great leader for Tyrone on the field and his work rate has been phenomenal. If he genuinely is going well there is no doubt with his commitment to fitness that he can get much better if the Ulster champions get a run.
McGuigan is sheer class and it was interesting that Sean Cavanagh said that he also matches this with tremendous fitness and that he is one of the men driving Tyrone in training.
McGuigan was the best centre three quarters in the country before the string of injuries which almost put him out of the game after a horrific eye injury followed a leg break.
The Ardboe man had brains, vision, pace and heart and his passing and shooting are a joy to watch.
It's hard to say where Tyrone are at the moment but there's no doubt that if the two Brians can put on any sort of a show against Down that people may quickly have to reassess their challenge.
It has to be good news for Tyrone that they're back because these men would give any team something special even if they are not firing on all cylinders.
Dooher is a great leader for Tyrone on the field and his work rate has been phenomenal. If he genuinely is going well there is no doubt with his commitment to fitness that he can get much better if the Ulster champions get a run.
McGuigan is sheer class and it was interesting that Sean Cavanagh said that he also matches this with tremendous fitness and that he is one of the men driving Tyrone in training.
McGuigan was the best centre three quarters in the country before the string of injuries which almost put him out of the game after a horrific eye injury followed a leg break.
The Ardboe man had brains, vision, pace and heart and his passing and shooting are a joy to watch.
It's hard to say where Tyrone are at the moment but there's no doubt that if the two Brians can put on any sort of a show against Down that people may quickly have to reassess their challenge.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Will Tyrone ever have full squad again?
Just wonder will Tyrone ever play with a full side ever again after the weekend games.
Owen Mulligan looks very doubtful for their opener against Down while Sean Cavanagh and Tommy McGuigan are also nursing knocks after club matches.
Cavanagh is a very important player for the Red Hands and any injury to him would be a huge blow to Tyrone.
Mulligan on the other hand is a confidence player, when he's hot he's brilliant but there are other occasions when the Cookstown man is very ordinary.
He needs a foil, being at his best when he played alongside Peter Canavan and Stephen O'Neill although I would have fancied my own chances with that pair by my side.
However, Mulligan has frequently struggled when he has been the fulcrum of the attack.
I think it's a case of the opposition being able to put their best markers on him in the absence of his partners in crime from the 2005 season and also the fact that Brian McGuigan wasn't around to supply the ammo.
I still think that Tyrone will have too much in the locker for Down who while they are on the way back are a long way short of being the genuine article.
Owen Mulligan looks very doubtful for their opener against Down while Sean Cavanagh and Tommy McGuigan are also nursing knocks after club matches.
Cavanagh is a very important player for the Red Hands and any injury to him would be a huge blow to Tyrone.
Mulligan on the other hand is a confidence player, when he's hot he's brilliant but there are other occasions when the Cookstown man is very ordinary.
He needs a foil, being at his best when he played alongside Peter Canavan and Stephen O'Neill although I would have fancied my own chances with that pair by my side.
However, Mulligan has frequently struggled when he has been the fulcrum of the attack.
I think it's a case of the opposition being able to put their best markers on him in the absence of his partners in crime from the 2005 season and also the fact that Brian McGuigan wasn't around to supply the ammo.
I still think that Tyrone will have too much in the locker for Down who while they are on the way back are a long way short of being the genuine article.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Ulster championship building to an anti-climax
Did anyone watch the Ulster hurling championship games last weekend? I have to admit that I still don't get it.
Last week it was Tyrone against Fermanagh, this week it's London against the Red Hands.
Does it matter, does anyone care.
Let's face it the only benefit to Ulster might be that if London get knocked out early enough we won't have the farce of them playing in Ulster semi finals.
I don't see the much boosted Ulster championship as the way forward for hurling in the province.
I would love to think it will get better over seasons, but to be honest I don't. I believe it will still be between Antrim, North and South.
Down are gone, Derry are hanging on by their fingernails and given another revival in football hurling will slip further behind.
If we are serious about making the championship more competitive should we not create a couple of amalgamated teams, Down, Monaghan and Armagh say, and the rest of the province outside Antrim.
Amalgamated teams have worked in club leagues, the Sean Stinsons minor experiment between Portglenone and Ahoghill in the mid '90s have been the catalyst for the advance first of Portglenone and now Ahoghill in Antrim.
We are just simply building to an anti-climax when these Cinderella sides get slaughtered by Antrim, who in turn will get the guttie at the hands of Galway!
Last week it was Tyrone against Fermanagh, this week it's London against the Red Hands.
Does it matter, does anyone care.
Let's face it the only benefit to Ulster might be that if London get knocked out early enough we won't have the farce of them playing in Ulster semi finals.
I don't see the much boosted Ulster championship as the way forward for hurling in the province.
I would love to think it will get better over seasons, but to be honest I don't. I believe it will still be between Antrim, North and South.
Down are gone, Derry are hanging on by their fingernails and given another revival in football hurling will slip further behind.
If we are serious about making the championship more competitive should we not create a couple of amalgamated teams, Down, Monaghan and Armagh say, and the rest of the province outside Antrim.
Amalgamated teams have worked in club leagues, the Sean Stinsons minor experiment between Portglenone and Ahoghill in the mid '90s have been the catalyst for the advance first of Portglenone and now Ahoghill in Antrim.
We are just simply building to an anti-climax when these Cinderella sides get slaughtered by Antrim, who in turn will get the guttie at the hands of Galway!
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Cavanagh is over optimistic
Sean Cavanagh is a great footballer and seemingly an eternal optimist.
The big midfielder has almost at times lifted his side almost single handedly in recent seasons as the Tyrone dressing room took on the look of an episode of Casualty.
Cavanagh was an integral part of the Tyrone side of 2005 which in my opinion is one of the best teams of the last 20 years.
They were a better side than the current Kerry team and only Galway '98 to 2001 and Down of '91 to '94 vintage have matched them for sheer flair.
They had a wonderful forward line of Canavan, O'Neill and Mulligan with the two Brians Dooher and McGuigan pulling the strings at half forward with Cavanagh bursting through at full pelt from midfield or left half forward.
Their flair and creativity was overlooked by some in their breakthrough season of 2003 because they matched their ability with relentless work rate and tackling which unfortunately Pat Spillane branded as Puke Football when they handed the Kingdom a lesson in an All-Ireland semi final.
However, the 'puke football' simply amounted to sheer hunger to get the ball back as soon as the opposition had possession, something you would teach any child to do.
But in 2005 even the begrudgers acknowledged their greatness when they beat Dublin, Armagh and Kerry on the way to Sam and they don't come any tougher than that.
However, Cavanagh thinks that at last they may be on the way back, Dooher and McGuigan are flying in training he says and he hasn't given up hope that Stephen O'Neill may also put his injury problems behind him and return to the side.
I think that Cavanagh is being a little bit over optimistic. I believe that the injuries to McGuigan and Dooher must have taken their toll and although I would much rather see these two excellent players back in action until they are tested in the white heat of championship the jury remains out.
As for O'Neill it's true that he now has a number of club games behind him with no further occurrences of the hamstring injuries which cost him his inter-county career but it's a huge step up to the fitness demanded for the championship.
I think Cavanagh's optimism is wishful thinking and I am still of the opinion that unless some of the young players who have come on to the panel since 2005 start to deliver the goods then Tyrone won't again reach those heights.
The big midfielder has almost at times lifted his side almost single handedly in recent seasons as the Tyrone dressing room took on the look of an episode of Casualty.
Cavanagh was an integral part of the Tyrone side of 2005 which in my opinion is one of the best teams of the last 20 years.
They were a better side than the current Kerry team and only Galway '98 to 2001 and Down of '91 to '94 vintage have matched them for sheer flair.
They had a wonderful forward line of Canavan, O'Neill and Mulligan with the two Brians Dooher and McGuigan pulling the strings at half forward with Cavanagh bursting through at full pelt from midfield or left half forward.
Their flair and creativity was overlooked by some in their breakthrough season of 2003 because they matched their ability with relentless work rate and tackling which unfortunately Pat Spillane branded as Puke Football when they handed the Kingdom a lesson in an All-Ireland semi final.
However, the 'puke football' simply amounted to sheer hunger to get the ball back as soon as the opposition had possession, something you would teach any child to do.
But in 2005 even the begrudgers acknowledged their greatness when they beat Dublin, Armagh and Kerry on the way to Sam and they don't come any tougher than that.
However, Cavanagh thinks that at last they may be on the way back, Dooher and McGuigan are flying in training he says and he hasn't given up hope that Stephen O'Neill may also put his injury problems behind him and return to the side.
I think that Cavanagh is being a little bit over optimistic. I believe that the injuries to McGuigan and Dooher must have taken their toll and although I would much rather see these two excellent players back in action until they are tested in the white heat of championship the jury remains out.
As for O'Neill it's true that he now has a number of club games behind him with no further occurrences of the hamstring injuries which cost him his inter-county career but it's a huge step up to the fitness demanded for the championship.
I think Cavanagh's optimism is wishful thinking and I am still of the opinion that unless some of the young players who have come on to the panel since 2005 start to deliver the goods then Tyrone won't again reach those heights.
Monday, 5 May 2008
Five in row for Kerry?
Kerry for five in a row, that's what the man who was two minutes away from it in 1982 Mick O'Dwyer reckons about the current Kingdom squad.
Micko believes that the current squad has the talent to do what even his great side couldn't and there was no better side ever in Gaelic football than O'Dwyer's.
O'Dwyer believes that the current side is a great team but he also feels there is more to come from the All-Ireland winning Under 21s.
Five in a row is a mountain to climb but given that Kerry have already two under their belt without really having a fight for them apart from last year's Monaghan game they are clear favourites this year.
O'Dwyer doesn't see any real challengers from Ulster and Leinster and I have to agree much though it pains me to say it about my home province.
Tyrone and Armagh are past their best although I think they will come again and I think Tyrone could be a real threat again if even a couple of the young players Mickey Harte has nurtured finally deliver the goods.
Although he has lost some irreplaceable players since 2005, Canavan and O'Neill in particular but also Cavlan and Dooher for all intents and purposes, Tyrone are one of the counties which puts a lot of work into underage players.
Armagh are at this stage hard to beat but no more, they still have some wonderful players but not enough of them and they will struggle on the big day against a fast team.
Derry will of course take much from their National League win but I think they are predictable and anyone who does their homework on the supply to Paddy Bradley will see them off.
I don't see anything in Leinster capable of winning an All Ireland and I think that the Dubs and Meath made life a lot tougher for themselves with the silly suspensions.
I didn't believe they were good enough anyway but the Parnell Park 'brawl' for me was the final nail in their coffin. Even though they will have the players back for the key part of the championship preparations will be disrupted.
I think Kerry are streets ahead of Cork, no matter who manages them, and for me Galway and Mayo will be there or thereabouts but will come up short.
I can't see past the Kingdom because of their strength in depth and O'Dwyer's right in this sense, if they pull off a three in a row, the first since the last hurrah of O'Dwyer's 1984-'86 side, then there will be a huge momentum behind them for a four in a row and then anything's possible.
This prospect certainly puts it up to the rest of the country and I hope they will respond even if I can't see it happen this year.
Micko believes that the current squad has the talent to do what even his great side couldn't and there was no better side ever in Gaelic football than O'Dwyer's.
O'Dwyer believes that the current side is a great team but he also feels there is more to come from the All-Ireland winning Under 21s.
Five in a row is a mountain to climb but given that Kerry have already two under their belt without really having a fight for them apart from last year's Monaghan game they are clear favourites this year.
O'Dwyer doesn't see any real challengers from Ulster and Leinster and I have to agree much though it pains me to say it about my home province.
Tyrone and Armagh are past their best although I think they will come again and I think Tyrone could be a real threat again if even a couple of the young players Mickey Harte has nurtured finally deliver the goods.
Although he has lost some irreplaceable players since 2005, Canavan and O'Neill in particular but also Cavlan and Dooher for all intents and purposes, Tyrone are one of the counties which puts a lot of work into underage players.
Armagh are at this stage hard to beat but no more, they still have some wonderful players but not enough of them and they will struggle on the big day against a fast team.
Derry will of course take much from their National League win but I think they are predictable and anyone who does their homework on the supply to Paddy Bradley will see them off.
I don't see anything in Leinster capable of winning an All Ireland and I think that the Dubs and Meath made life a lot tougher for themselves with the silly suspensions.
I didn't believe they were good enough anyway but the Parnell Park 'brawl' for me was the final nail in their coffin. Even though they will have the players back for the key part of the championship preparations will be disrupted.
I think Kerry are streets ahead of Cork, no matter who manages them, and for me Galway and Mayo will be there or thereabouts but will come up short.
I can't see past the Kingdom because of their strength in depth and O'Dwyer's right in this sense, if they pull off a three in a row, the first since the last hurrah of O'Dwyer's 1984-'86 side, then there will be a huge momentum behind them for a four in a row and then anything's possible.
This prospect certainly puts it up to the rest of the country and I hope they will respond even if I can't see it happen this year.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Red Hand Dooher sees red
Brian Dooher's straight red in his first club game back from injury is a blow Mickey Harte's Tyrone could well have done without.
Dooher had scored two points for Clann na nGael in his first start in a senior game in a year before being sent off.
His sending off will delay any chance he has of making it back on to the Tyrone side for the Ulster championship.
Technically Dooher could be back and fit for Tyrone's first game in June but there is now no chance of Dooher being match fit and I'm sure that Mickey Harte will be raging at someone as influential as Dooher seeing red.
Harte must reckon that he is jinxed given the injury lists he has endured in recent seasons and Dooher is not the first Tyrone star to get himself sent off before big games.
I am doubtful that Dooher can ever be the same force for Tyrone as he was in 2003 and 2005, but he has been a great player for his county and he is respected as a leader.
He is coming to the end of what has been a great career, it's a shame that he has compounded his injury problems by seeing red.
Dooher had scored two points for Clann na nGael in his first start in a senior game in a year before being sent off.
His sending off will delay any chance he has of making it back on to the Tyrone side for the Ulster championship.
Technically Dooher could be back and fit for Tyrone's first game in June but there is now no chance of Dooher being match fit and I'm sure that Mickey Harte will be raging at someone as influential as Dooher seeing red.
Harte must reckon that he is jinxed given the injury lists he has endured in recent seasons and Dooher is not the first Tyrone star to get himself sent off before big games.
I am doubtful that Dooher can ever be the same force for Tyrone as he was in 2003 and 2005, but he has been a great player for his county and he is respected as a leader.
He is coming to the end of what has been a great career, it's a shame that he has compounded his injury problems by seeing red.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Wishful thinking by McDonnell
Armagh forward Stevie McDonnell has sounded a warning today about anyone writing off Tyrone in the provincial championship saying that Mickey Harte's men like Armagh have improved as the championship has gone on.
Tyrone and Armagh have literally carved Ulster up between them since 1999, with Armagh way out ahead with six titles to Tyrone's three.
However, the Red Hands have fared slightly better in the All Ireland with two wins to Armagh's one and one of the Tyrone victories came at Armagh's expense in the first ever all Ulster final in 2003.
However, neither side are the force they were early in the decade, Tyrone devastated by the loss of Cormac McAnallen and an injury list that would do an episode of Casualty justice.
Armagh on the other hand have lost some of their greatest players, McGeeney and Marsden in particular, to retirement and some of their most experienced players are the wrong side of 30, and in the modern game that's a problem.
Both counties have worked hard with young players, Tyrone because they've had to and Armagh have had a good set of Under 21s come through.
However, they are not yet the genuine article and I think that McDonnell is being over optimistic about the two sides' fortunes.
No one will look forward to playing them, and if they go out of Ulster who would want them in the play-offs, but I think this season we will see new kings in Ulster.
Derry and Monaghan are ahead of the province's big two at the moment and Donegal could also be a threat if they can turn over Derry who may be too confident after the easy league win over Brian McIver's side.
Ulster is notoriously difficult to navigate but the big question for me is, is there a side in the province capable of beating Kerry. I don't think so on the evidence so far this year but that's the beauty about championship anything can happen.
I'd love Tyrone and Armagh to mount a credible challenge again, it would be good for football in the province, but I believe it's wishful thinking.
Tyrone and Armagh have literally carved Ulster up between them since 1999, with Armagh way out ahead with six titles to Tyrone's three.
However, the Red Hands have fared slightly better in the All Ireland with two wins to Armagh's one and one of the Tyrone victories came at Armagh's expense in the first ever all Ulster final in 2003.
However, neither side are the force they were early in the decade, Tyrone devastated by the loss of Cormac McAnallen and an injury list that would do an episode of Casualty justice.
Armagh on the other hand have lost some of their greatest players, McGeeney and Marsden in particular, to retirement and some of their most experienced players are the wrong side of 30, and in the modern game that's a problem.
Both counties have worked hard with young players, Tyrone because they've had to and Armagh have had a good set of Under 21s come through.
However, they are not yet the genuine article and I think that McDonnell is being over optimistic about the two sides' fortunes.
No one will look forward to playing them, and if they go out of Ulster who would want them in the play-offs, but I think this season we will see new kings in Ulster.
Derry and Monaghan are ahead of the province's big two at the moment and Donegal could also be a threat if they can turn over Derry who may be too confident after the easy league win over Brian McIver's side.
Ulster is notoriously difficult to navigate but the big question for me is, is there a side in the province capable of beating Kerry. I don't think so on the evidence so far this year but that's the beauty about championship anything can happen.
I'd love Tyrone and Armagh to mount a credible challenge again, it would be good for football in the province, but I believe it's wishful thinking.
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