1. Tyrone blitz their way into semi-finals
TYRONE’S MARGIN OF victory was far easier than expected. They’ve blitzed their way through the competition so far in the championship, winning the four games by an average of 11.5 points to get to the last four of the All-Ireland series.
It’s probably unfair to class Tyrone as a ‘defensive’ team. The Red Hand drop 14 bodies behind the ball when they don’t have possession, but they attack with real intent when they turn it over.
Much of the talk around their All-Ireland credentials surrounds the absence of a marquee forward, but scores of 0-22, 1-21, 2-17 and 3-17 suggest they don’t necessarily need one.
Mark Bradley’s intelligence and movement as a long inside forward is one of the most under-rated qualities of Mickey Harte’s team and they’ve got reliable free-takers in Niall Morgan and Sean Cavanagh.
2. Mickey Harte’s system goes up against the Dubs
Tyrone’s thrilling draw with Dublin in their league clash back in February was a taster for what’s to come. You get the sense Mickey Harte has been shaping his game-plan with Dublin’s free-wheeling attack in mind.
The Dubs are not as tactically naive as they were when Jim McGuinness hoodwinked them in 2014, but Harte’s system will trouble them. Tyrone completely suffocated the Armagh attack and had enough energy in the legs to pour through for scores at the far end.
The quality of their tackling is outstanding and they won’t give Dean Rock many easy frees to tap over. Dublin will look to use the full width of Croke Park and move Colm Cavanagh from side to side before injecting real pace into their attack with runners from deep.
The footballing philosophies of Gavin and Harte will meet in an epic collision on 27 August. It’s going to be a fascinating spectacle.
3. David Mulgrew’s stunning impact
David Mulgrew might have been frustrated with Harte’s decision to leave him on the line today, especially after his strong showing in the Ulster final. But Mulgrew certainly reminded his manager of his talents today.
The Arboe man bagged 2-1 in a devastating display, with both goals arriving after lung-bursting runs from deep.
Tyrone tend to run their opponents into the ground for the opening three quarters before they introduce quality ‘closers’ who put the game to bed.
Talented scorers Darren McCurry, Ronan O’Neill and Mulgrew were all on the field by the 51st minute and they enjoyed the open space in the tiring Armagh defence.
4. Poor Armagh fail to show up
Tyrone confirmed their status as Ulster’s top dogs this afternoon. Armagh were expected to put up some sort of a fight, but they couldn’t live with Tyrone’s ferocity.
It was a disapointing display by Kieran McGeeney’s side, who looked devoid of an attacking game-plan. They made countless handling errors and miscued passes, although they were under intense pressure by the Red Hand.
Jamie Clarke tried and scored a point but he was well-marshalled by Cathal McCarron and sweeper Colm Cavanagh.
This young Armagh team have made great strides this year, but today’s game showed the enormous road ahead of them if they want to compete with the likes of Tyrone.
5. The upcoming kick-out battle
Tyrone went short almost every time with their kick-outs and Niall Morgan often played them short to a defender before taking the return and moving out with possession.
On the one occasion Tyrone were forced to go long in the first-half when Armagh pressed up, they created a goal chance but Peter Harte took his score. Sean Cavanagh won Morgan’s long restarted and there was an ocean of space for Harte to run into.
Dublin have sought to press high on opposition kick-outs this season and force them to go long. It’s not in Jim Gavin’s style to concede short kick-outs. Tyrone were ravenous on the breaking ball around the middle on Armagh’s long restarts today.
If Dublin force Tyrone to go long in the semi-final, they might risk leaving open country for the lightning-fast Red Hand runners break into. It’s just another interesting side-note heading into the last four clash.
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So let’s get us get this… Every Galway and Mayo fan are going down the one road to a match…
On top of that the traffic for the Irish Open will also be going on as Ennis is the where the Park and Ride is going from.
Seriously could Galway and Mayo just use there home and away agreement… Galway was next due and next time it would be Mayo… This is just embarrassing…
@Cowboy Paddy: should have been played on Hyde park roscommon
@@at: Hyde is not big enough to maximise the cash at the gate and lets be honest thats the first, last, and only consideration for any GAA fixture location.
@@at: happy with Limerick . Mayo have bad memories of that ground . Hopefully we can give them another nightmare
@Cowboy Paddy: Whats embarrassing is the notion that our infrastructure can’t handle two sporting events 50 miles apart and can’t handle 30,000 fans going down a motorway between our 3rd and 4th biggest cities.
@Finnster: because it’s only down the road for ye
@According to Di Marzio: The Motorway will be fine, I was on the M4/6 two years ago when Roscommon played Mayo, and Galway played Kerry in the quarter finals on the same day in Croker. It was very busy, but nothing compared to the 3 land M50 on a regular rush hour.
@Cowboy Paddy: however bad getting to limerick will be, nothing is as bad as getting in and out of Salthill for a game
@Cowboy Paddy: motorway all the way from tuam lad. Traffic would be 10 times worse if it was in castlebar or Salthill. Limerick is well used to these events with the likes of Munster and limerick gaa. It will be the finest
@According to Di Marzio: plus let’s be honest, nobody outside Roscommon wants to be going to Hyde Park. Traffic in the town would be ridiculous not to mention the vast amount of supporters who’d miss out due to its capacity restrictions
@According to Di Marzio: exactly
@Anthony: Hyde Park holds 25k (since the upgrade), just under 19k people attended Mayo v Armagh at the weekend, so capacity wise, there probably wouldn’t have been an issue.
@stephen keane: Galway borders Mayo , Kilmaine , Ballinrobe , Claremorris areas are all as close if not closer than parts of Connemara and Clifden. So it’s fair on both sides . One of us is going to have a long sad drive back home though after the game ; )
@Do the Bort man: don’t put a damper on the Mayo ego and how they’ll be bringing 35,000 fans to Limerick – all pure mad of course!
@Cowboy Paddy: it’s ok, there’s a motorway!! They built one sometime ago!!
@Anthony: motorway all the way from tuam alright. But what happens when everyone trys to use the same exits into limerick?
@Finnster: I hope so but the way we have been playing it’s hard to see it. We have played 2 mediocre teams and one average team so far and haven’t even remotely impressed. That type of form isn’t good.
@Cowboy Paddy: Has to be neutral venue for a game of this magnitude. Limerick is only down the road. You have a strange idea of what the word ‘embarrassing’ means.
@Finnster: they played us in the Gaelic Grounds last year and gave us a predictable walloping Finnster so there most recent memory is positive.
@mike Kennedy: true , forgot about that
@Tony Boyle: they are really going to have to step it up . The second half in the Connacht Final was dire
@Cryptoalcho: do a bit of research before you leave. There are lots of different exits you can take. Stadium is well served and more accessible than most I think.
“Capacity of 43k”. There was 44k at it yesterday. Funny that.
One game on RTÉ over the weekend. Sad !
@Nightowl: money hungry GAA – madness having the game in Limerick
Can we assume that Kerry vs Galway/Mayo will be on Sunday 14th July? (as the winner of Meath/Clare will be entitled to a 7 day turnaround in the Group’s other match).
It’s a complete joke that the GAA cannot tell us exactly what dates matches of this scale are being held until 6 days prior to the match itself.
I wonder what the attendance will be? Works carried out at Dr Hyde park has increased its capacity to 25,000 people. Surely that would have been enough, and closer for both the teams and supporters.
Ahh The sports grounds…
Tuam or Nowhere
According to this article both Mayo & Galway gaa agreed to the venue. Its their own county boards’ fault. There is also a big tiddly winks blitz on in Limerick, oh the mayhem.
@The don: Surprised Mayo agreed considering Limerick is closer to Galway
Really daft that two Connacht counties has to play a championship match in Munster. Both could have come together and agreed on a home venue like the agreement in place for Connnacht championship games. Hyde park was more than capable of hosting the expected crowd of 18 to 20k matter of fact there was 24k at the Connacht final in 2015 but GAA politics tells us other wise now.
Should be played in Dr Hyde Park. 8000 capacity wasnt an issue last year in Newbridge. Its down to greed. 7pm throw in as well. Sky dictates the starting times.
What a joke ,.
Surely there wont be anything more than 20k-25k max at Mayo-Galway game? Hyde Park would have been sufficient.
But sure the Gaelic Grounds and the throw-in time gives Mayo fans another reason to whinge, so everyone happy all round then.