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McKenna Cup 2018

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The 2018 Dr McKenna Cup throws in on Wednesday evening. First round fixtures as follows Tyrone v Antrim, Healy Park, 8pm Cavan v St Mary's, Kingspan Breffni, 8pm Down v Armagh, Pairc Esler, 8pm Derry v UUJ, Owenbeg, 8pm Donegal v Queen's, Ballybofey, 8pm Fermanagh v Monaghan, Brewster Park, 8pm What's people's thoughts on how their county or uni will fare, me personally hoping that Antrim can blood a few new players who would push the panel on a bit and also a solid showing against a Tyrone side (who will win it outright in my own opinion) in Lennys first game in charge. Get a decent performance against Tyrone could help give Cavan a good game in what will be the battle for 2nd spot. Can't see St Mary's causing too much problems hopefully ciaran1988 (Antrim) - Posts: 86 - 02/01/2018 01:36:07 2066456 Link
Replying To ciaran1988: "The 2018 Dr McKenna Cup throws in on Wednesday evening. First round fixtures as follows Tyrone v Antrim, Healy Park, 8pm Cavan v St Mary's, Kingspan Breffni, 8pm Down v Armagh, Pairc Esler, 8pm Derry v UUJ, Owenbeg, 8pm Donegal v Queen's, Ballybofey, 8pm Fermanagh v Monaghan, Brewster Park, 8pm What's people's thoughts on how their county or uni will fare, me personally hoping that Antrim can blood a few new players who would push the panel on a bit and also a solid showing against a Tyrone side (who will win it outright in my own opinion) in Lennys first game in charge. Get a decent performance against Tyrone could help give Cavan a good game in what will be the battle for 2nd spot. Can't see St Mary's causing too much problems hopefully" once again tyrones supposed main county ground is unfit for purpose and the game is being played under lights in the athletic grounds Armagh. A proper county ground would have been a good investment when they were considering building garvaghey and now they want to put in an indoor arena/pitch costing several million yet haven't a ground that can be used when it's wet. { other counties seem to be able to have grounds capable to be played on so that argument can't keep being used } bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 02/01/2018 18:46:42 2066516 Link
Replying To bulmccabe: "once again tyrones supposed main county ground is unfit for purpose and the game is being played under lights in the athletic grounds Armagh. A proper county ground would have been a good investment when they were considering building garvaghey and now they want to put in an indoor arena/pitch costing several million yet haven't a ground that can be used when it's wet. { other counties seem to be able to have grounds capable to be played on so that argument can't keep being used }" You have to be the most negative poster in the history of HS. Stick to the topic in hand. Your obsession with Garvaghey is actually worrying. Have you ever thought of the positives garvaghey brings? Your point about Healy Park is valid, it does flood to easily but the are plans in place to replace the pitch and stop this happening. You don't have to build a brand new multi million pound stadium because the pitch floods. Replace the pitch, the stadium is fine the way it is. your idea of taking the stand away will be a none starter as it's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard. The McKenna cup will be a good to blood a few new players and tactics. MH try's to win every competition they enter so I expect them to get out of the group and see from there. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 02/01/2018 19:44:06 2066520 Link
Hope Tyrone can find a couple of new forwards before the league. I think Tyrone should look to win a national title by giving the league a good shot. Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 03/01/2018 19:38:46 2066672 Link
Replying To bulmccabe: "once again tyrones supposed main county ground is unfit for purpose and the game is being played under lights in the athletic grounds Armagh. A proper county ground would have been a good investment when they were considering building garvaghey and now they want to put in an indoor arena/pitch costing several million yet haven't a ground that can be used when it's wet. { other counties seem to be able to have grounds capable to be played on so that argument can't keep being used }" Is Omagh the only proper pitch in Tyrone or is there another reason why they have to go to Armagh? MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 03/01/2018 20:44:59 2066678 Link
Replying To MuckrossHead: "Is Omagh the only proper pitch in Tyrone or is there another reason why they have to go to Armagh?" Only floodlighted pitch up to standard. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 03/01/2018 21:14:18 2066685 Link
Mentioned this on the Donegal page. A word on the McKenna Cup itself. I think in years gone by the colleges could compete because the county men would only be getting back to it in early January. However, in recent times the fringe county players could well have 8 weeks training done by now and so the fitness factor is no longer an advantage to the college teams. While it is useful to blood upcoming players the calendar is so condensed at the minute that something will have to give. I would say that these pre-season competitions will get the bullet in the next few years. Now I don't mean to sound harsh, it could be that Queens just don't have as good a vintage as other years, and maybe they had players injured but they were very out of their depth against a very experimental Donegal team last night. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9104 - 04/01/2018 11:21:18 2066752 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Mentioned this on the Donegal page. A word on the McKenna Cup itself. I think in years gone by the colleges could compete because the county men would only be getting back to it in early January. However, in recent times the fringe county players could well have 8 weeks training done by now and so the fitness factor is no longer an advantage to the college teams. While it is useful to blood upcoming players the calendar is so condensed at the minute that something will have to give. I would say that these pre-season competitions will get the bullet in the next few years. Now I don't mean to sound harsh, it could be that Queens just don't have as good a vintage as other years, and maybe they had players injured but they were very out of their depth against a very experimental Donegal team last night." UUJ and St. Mary's appear to have pushed Derry and Cavan to the very limit last night. neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 04/01/2018 16:36:47 2066821 Link
Replying To neverright: "UUJ and St. Mary's appear to have pushed Derry and Cavan to the very limit last night." They did indeed in fairness. However, I would hazard a guess that we won't see any college team in the semis. Nor have we in the last 5 years. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9104 - 05/01/2018 09:39:26 2066888 Link
I have no problem with the Colleges inclusion in what is in effect a season warm up tournament - on the proviso the first choice of players who cross over County/College team goes to the County team. It can be beneficial for players who are maybe on the fringes of County squads to showcase their talent against County teams and also for their County management who can have an opportunity to see these players playing at a higher level. Their inclusion can also give a more competitive match for the likes of ourselves instead of coming up against the likes of Tyrone etc which isn't really a contest. Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/01/2018 12:13:20 2066927 Link
Replying To Offside_Rule: "I have no problem with the Colleges inclusion in what is in effect a season warm up tournament - on the proviso the first choice of players who cross over County/College team goes to the County team. It can be beneficial for players who are maybe on the fringes of County squads to showcase their talent against County teams and also for their County management who can have an opportunity to see these players playing at a higher level. Their inclusion can also give a more competitive match for the likes of ourselves instead of coming up against the likes of Tyrone etc which isn't really a contest." Counties have a much bigger pool of players to choose from so let the Colleges have first dabs IMO. Antrim need a few lads to stay away from the trough before thinking of giving Tyrone a game by the looks of some of the pictures doing the rounds bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 05/01/2018 12:56:08 2066935 Link
Replying To bricktop: "Counties have a much bigger pool of players to choose from so let the Colleges have first dabs IMO. Antrim need a few lads to stay away from the trough before thinking of giving Tyrone a game by the looks of some of the pictures doing the rounds" But it is an All County competition which the Universities/Colleges have been allowed to take part in so I would argue that the County should get choice in players who cross over. The Universities have their own leagues and competitions throughout the academic year whereas this is the warm up competition if you like for the Counties season. So for the Universities who are well in to their season it is a good opportunity for them to try out squad players and for the Counties it lets them work on their own squad as well as getting to see fringe players who might be on the University/College team. Oh and saw a few photos there from your own game against Armagh and you may pass on your advice re the trough to your County management as there were a couple looked like they had a good off season and should be ready for market soon....prices not too bad at the moment either.... ;-) Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 08/01/2018 08:52:11 2067275 Link
Another nail in the McKenna Cup coffin I think. The weather in January is in no way conducive for football. Who knows when/if the McKenna Cup will get finished this year. January should be left for pre-season training. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9104 - 08/01/2018 13:04:22 2067334 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Another nail in the McKenna Cup coffin I think. The weather in January is in no way conducive for football. Who knows when/if the McKenna Cup will get finished this year. January should be left for pre-season training." with all the fixture list problems we've almost forgot the effect the weather is having on GAA matches. this is particular noticeable in the west and north west. To be straight about it I've seen pitches unplayable in April and maybe not that great in May!!! the window for playing seems to be getting smaller. theweanling (Cavan) - Posts: 414 - 08/01/2018 15:03:08 2067357 Link
what a crowd in Armagh last night - a fantastic crowd in absolutely insane driving conditions cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1671 - 11/01/2018 10:10:43 2067760 Link
Replying To cuchulainn35: "what a crowd in Armagh last night - a fantastic crowd in absolutely insane driving conditions" Any number on it? SlipperyDodger (Cork) - Posts: 93 - 12/01/2018 21:42:16 2068054 Link
Does anyone know the confirmed date of the final?? Ulster Gaa website says Sunday at 4.30. Irish news says Saturday at 7. They really need to communicate better, people have plans. It isn't difficult to schedule a game of football and let the people know. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 17/01/2018 10:29:13 2068808 Link
Replying To The_Fridge: "Does anyone know the confirmed date of the final?? Ulster Gaa website says Sunday at 4.30. Irish news says Saturday at 7. They really need to communicate better, people have plans. It isn't difficult to schedule a game of football and let the people know." It's on Feb 17/18th which means both teams won't get a break! We're lucky we have a big panel Tyronecelt (Tyrone) - Posts: 31 - 17/01/2018 13:31:56 2068865 Link
Replying To Tyronecelt: "It's on Feb 17/18th which means both teams won't get a break! We're lucky we have a big panel" Just see that. Was looking forward to it. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 17/01/2018 14:34:43 2068889 Link