1. How will Armagh use Jamie Clarke?
JAMIE CLARKE’S GAME-winning performance against Kildare on Saturday evening will not have gone unnoticed in Tyrone. Far from it. He chipped in with 0-4 and contributed at least another four points between assists and frees won.
Clarke particularly impressed in the second-half when he was the furthest Armagh player forward, as his movement and intelligence consistently brought his team-mates into play. If Kieran McGeeney chooses to employ the Crossmaglen ace close to the Tyrone goal again this weekend, he’ll be afforded no such space by the Red Hand defence.
Armagh played against Kildare with Brendan Donaghy as a sweeper, and their two half-forwards, Rory Grugan and Stefan Campbell, dropping deep when they lost possession.
In the first-half they left three forwards up in a central 1-1-1 formation, with space on either flank to kick the ball into. Clarke was far more isolated up front on his in the second-half as Armagh sat deep and hit Kildare on the counter.
McGeeney may well use Clarke in a more withdrawn playmaking role due to the presence of Colm Cavanagh protecting the Red Hand full-back line.
2. Will Monaghan start without Jack McCarron and Conor McCarthy again?
When Monaghan went in level with Down at 1-9 apiece in the Round 4B qualifier last Saturday, no Farney forward had yet managed to trouble the scoreboard from play.
The introduction of Jack McCarron (at half-time) and Conor McCarthy (46 mins) sparked the Monaghan attack into life and they hit 0-6 between them in the comfortable victory.
It has been speculated that Malachy O’Rourke will spring at least one of the duo to start against Dublin, but he’s more likely to spring them off the bench once again. O’Rourke will drop bodies behind the ball with Conor McManus probably left up front on his own for the first 50 or 55 minutes.
If Monaghan can keep things relatively tight to that point, they’ll look to bring on McCarron and McCarthy when some space opens up in attack.
3. Can Tyrone continue to thrive without a marquee forward?
Mickey Harte’s team have blitzed the competition so far in Ulster, but question marks hang over the quality of opposition they faced.
History tells us All-Ireland winners need at least one high-scoring forward who’s guaranteed three or four points per game. Tyrone have gone a different route, relying instead on a spread of scorers.
The Red Hand’s counter-attacking game means middle third players like Peter Harte, Niall Sludden, Tiernan McCann, Kieran McGeary, David Mulgrew, Mattie Donnelly and Padraig Hampsey and Sean Cavanagh are all capable of finding the target.
Then you have Ronan O’Neill and Darren McCurry arriving off the bench to convert scoring chances late on. It’s a potent mix, but is it enough to deliver a first All-Ireland in nine years?
4. What tweaks can we expect from Jim Gavin?
Jim Gavin announced on Thursday morning that Jonny Cooper, Paul Flynn and Michael Darragh Macauley are back in the frame to start against Monaghan after recovering from injury.
Cooper is the only one with a realistic chance of forcing his way into the team on Saturday evening, but all three players will most likely have to be content with a place on the bench.
Elsewhere, Bernard Brogan’s excellent showing in the Leinster final makes him the most obvious candidate to win a place in the starting 15.
5. Will the All-Ireland contenders step-up a gear on Saturday?
Kerry rolled into Croke Park for their quarter-final last Sunday and while they had Galway beaten out the gate long before the finish, they impressed only in patches against the Tribesmen.
The Kingdom’s fellow All-Ireland contenders Tyrone and Dublin are expected to advance this weekend and set-up a semi-final showdown on 27 August.
With a potential last four clash fast-approaching, Tyrone and Dublin will look to click through the gears this weekend and bring their performance levels up another notch.
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1. Gary Breen
2. Gary Breen
3. Gary Breen
4. Gary Breen
5. Gary Breen
6. Gary Breen
7. Gary Breen
8. Gary Breen
9. Gary Breen
10. Gary Breen
11 Gary Breen
There’s only 1 Gary Breen (sing it)
Now that team would have no bother Knocking a few past the Estonians!!
Please let all this Euro 2012 bullsh*t go away quickly.
Come on Estonia.
What about Keith Andrews and Caleb Folan?
That’s some team alright!
What! No Ronnie Whelan, Mark Lawrenson, Packie Bonner or John Aldridge
Should argue that the team was based on consensus, but not outright agreement, between the four co-managers. I had Bonner and Aldo in my eleven!
No Kevin Kilbane? I’m out.
Packie as GK I would argue.
Fact.
Great team – maybe Moran at the back instead of Dunne, but a close call.
Great bench too – Aldridge, Duff, O’Leary, Bonner, Quinn, Whelan, Townsend.
Agreed on Moran, not arguing with Dunne’s contribution but Moran has three major tournaments behind him. Possibly Aldo/Givens instead of Stapo??
Well what about Liam Whelan? Tony Dunne? Noel Cantwell? Johnny Carey? All should be considered except they played before armchair afficianados knew best.
Also it would be easier if you adopted the classic ‘W’ formation when allocating positions viz 1 Goalkeeper, 2 Right Back, 3 Left Back, 4 Right-Half, 5 Centre-Half, 6 Left-Half, 7 Outside Right, 8 Inside Right, 9 Centre Foward 10 Inside Left, 11 Outside Left
Sorry to be so old fashioned!
dead on but very little footage of these lads in action.
As brilliant as Liam Whelan was for United, he only had four caps for Ireland. That’s too little to be considered. Dunne rarely repeated his United form for Ireland.
Well Miguel only four caps yes but that was because he was killed at Munich. He’s was Ireland’s Duncan Edwards
wouldnt have staunton in there, irwin should be at LB. no because i dislike him as a manager, i just dont feel he was that good despite his 100+ caps. kilbane has that many and nobody rates him that highly
better irish RB would be carr, gary kelly or finnan.
john o shea won a stack of medals at united so possibly him at lb if irwin is at rb
Great except for the notable exception of one Gary Doherty
What! No Tony Grealish? The Chuck Norris of Irish football. Remember that 40 yard screamer vs Cyprus.
davie langan 12foot tall when he pulled on the green jersey one of irelands best ever
Forgotten Heroes
GK: Dean Kiely
RB: Gary Kelly
CB: Gary Breen
CB: Phil Babb
LB: Ian Harte
RM: Jason McAteer
CM: Mark Kinsella
LM: Kevin Kilbane
RF: David Connolly
CF: Gary Doherty
LF: Clinton Morrison
Where is steve highway, heart of Mick McCarthy more than the skills,
That’s a great team, no complaints there. Subs bench of Kevin Moran, Ronnie Whelan, John Aldridge, Quinner and Mick McCarthy.
What !
No Gary Waddock ?
No Ashley Grimes ?!!
What about Bernie Slaven ?!!!
Terry Phlean…any games?
Quinny instead of stapleton maybe, Lawrenson for Dunne maybe/maybe not? Duff/Houghton?, Very tight calls, Also it is quite a recent team, giles apart, Did any of the greats of the past get a look in? It is a great team however and would take a bit of beating!
I wouldn’t let Roy Keane near an Irish shirt.
0-0 tonight and 1-1 on Tuesday.
To offer my two (or maybe 11) cents… based exclusively on their performances for Ireland and effect on biggest games
1. Packie Bonner
2. Chris Hughton
3. Denis Irwin
4. Paul McGrath
5. Kevin Moran
6. Roy Keane
7. Ray Houghton
8. John Giles
9. Robbie Keane
10. Niall Quinn
11. Liam Brady
Don’t think much of Keane as a footballer. Great heart yes and Irish through & through!
Can’t argue too much about that selection. Pity no room for Ronnie Whelan. For 32 counties add Jennings,Dougan & Best…..NOW you’re talking World beaters!
. Packie Bonner
. .Steve Finnan Richard Dunne paul McGrath Denis irwin
Damian Duff Roy Keane
Johnny Giles
Liam Brady
Robbie Keane
Niall Quinn
cant forget about this amazing centre back also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoUNrjrRXw8
0-0 tonight, 1-1 Tuesday.
shu-upyatick
No place for Clinton McMorris??!!!!!
Seriously though, great team, I might just make one change…Duff for Houghton!