Tyrone Will Find Life Difficult In Tullamore

Friday 28.06.2013

Club

Tyrone senior manager Mickey Harte has named a much changed team for his side’s qualifier clash with Offaly on Saturday in Tullamore. The withdrawal from the panel of PJ Quinn followed by injuries to Dermot Carlin, Niall Morgan, Stevie O’Neill, Joe Mc Mahon and Justin Mc Mahon have left the manager in a difficult position as he prepares for the most important game of the season.

Few if any would have predicted the lineup that has been selected. The full back line sees Danny Mc Bride and Ryan Mc Kenna come into the side with Mc Bride in particular something of a surprise selection not having played a lot of competitive football for the county so far this year. However in spite of having stretched resources defensively the manager is fortunate enough to have a keeper of Pascal Mc Connell’s stature and experience to call upon while he has boosted the back line further by selecting Peter Harte at number six. Conor Gormley has been listed at seven but such is the Carrickmore man’s adaptability and experience that he can be deployed anywhere in the defence that he is needed. That adaptability is sure to be tested on Saturday.

Moy brothers Sean and Colm Cavanagh have been paired in the middle of the field and will once again have the chance to show that they can make those positions their own. The wide open spaces of Tullamore will be in contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of Ballybofey but the midfield exchanges will still be every bit as keen and competitive there. The Cavanaghs will have to battle all the way if they are to give Tyrone the edge in the middle third while their contribution in terms of scoring will also have to be significant.

Mickey Harte has handed Ciaran Mc Ginley his chance to show what he can do at wing half forward. The Errigal man certainly has the pace and talent to play the position and Saturday is an ideal opportunity for him to stake a claim for a permanent place.  Mattie and Mark Donnelly are sure to produce their normal high octane fully committed displays of support play and tough tackling. Their performances earlier in the season in terms of turnovers and assists caught the eye and once again will be vital to the outcome of the game. However it is scores on the board that determine the outcome of the game and the absence of key marksman and team captain Stevie O’Neill will be sorely felt in this department. The full forward line of Martin Penrose, Conor Mc Aliskey and Darren Mc Curry will have to carry most of the scoring burden and while all three possess plenty of ball winning ability and scoring potential it will be interesting to see how productive they can be as a unit.

This promises to be quite a challenge for Tyrone with Offaly more than keen to take the scalp of the Red Hands. Much has been made of the exodus of members of their panel but the quality of players Tyrone has lost puts the Offaly absences into perspective. This will be a real championship match with a winner takes all feel to it. Tyrone as a team has more quality and experience but Offaly’s hunger and pride will ensure the game remains in the balance for quite a while. However in spite of the high number of absences Mickey Harte’s side should still have enough quality to see them home.