4W's Tyrone

Who: Tyrone
What: Round 3 of the NFL Division 2
Where: Drogheda
When: 2.30pm

These two sides were piping hot before the break and today will see who is stilling packing heat.

Majority of the Tyrone panel will be unfamiliar with Drogheda and Louth’s first game in Drogheda this year so the home advantage might not be too influential but a good home Louth support showing their voice could give us a little edge.

Having gone through the team during the week I highlighted Tyrone’s promising half back line, very attack minded and full of running they will take alot of looking after but luckily we have a very hard working line there and also in form so we could shade that battle.

Stephen O’Neill and Aidan Cassidy being out is a huge boost for us for obvious reasons but their lack of cover in both key area’s really weakens Mickey Harte’s hand.
They have been forced to play Joe McMahon there in a new partnership with newcomer Michael Murphy So we have a real opportunity to expose their middle.

This should provide us with alot of possession but where the scores are going to come from is not clear, Mark Brennan is not a natural corner forward and will come out any way, Ronan Carroll is a manufactured full forward but does pose a threat for us and their inexperienced full back line. Alot pressure is on Derek Maguire who is back from injury to start in the first place to score, He is a natural corner man and can score when given the opportunity. Here’s hoping he get his confidence up early on and finds his range because Tyrone pride themselves on DEFENCE!

The opposite can be said about the Tyrone full forward line two of the most natural players in the game are in both corner’s the promising Kyle Coney and back in form Owen Mulligan. Penrose should swap with Donnelly and play the roaming game and really test Mick Fanning’s lung’s. I would like to see Jamie on Mulligan and Gerry on Coney but luckily we have Pops in reserve if either have an off day. Donnelly moving to the Square will also suit Dessie back there.

Tyrone will not be complacent coming to Drogheda they have a Division 2 title firmly in their sights but our midfield as always gives us a chance.

One thing we do know for certain is that Tyrone is the best team we play so far, they will provide a stern test and a great chance to test ourselves.

The match is the start of 4 Sunday’s in a row run and will be an opportunity to see where we are at the moment and how we stand up against an elite side.

Thing to expect: The Gaelic grounds superb surface and incredibly slopey pitch, Ronan Carroll to get a goal, Players with their socks up! (I can count 6 before the game even begins, McCarron, Penrose and McMahon for Tyrone and Brian Donnelly, Jamie Carr and possibly Brian White.)