3 days to Go: Burning Questions

We've had the mock exam in the League.....but it has still left me with a few burning Questions...that I wonder will we pass come the big examination on Sunday 

I will answer these in the build up to the game.


1. Midfield Warriors
PK, it starts and ends with PK...it, being our hopes.

Worryingly, He wouldn't have had the best run in to game even by his own accord, niggly injuries a stop start league have hampered him and his form greatly. 

Luckily, we've had experience of playing without him.

So if Anything does happen we are well prepared. 

But, I suspect PK will be PK, and have plenty in the tank... cometh the Hour cometh the man etc.....

Partner

Brian Donnelly gets the nod to partner PK, he also has been struggling of late with a virus but he's obviously come through recent challenge matches and training well enough to start. Aerially he is superb, and I feel a main reasnon he is in there, so expect him and Brendan Quigley to have a plucking battle royale.

Kryptonite

John O'Loughlin is the major spanner in the works here...on that chilly night, the 2nd of March, O'loughlin was White hot.

His driving runs exposed us in the league match and dragged Laois right back into that game. Defensively we didn't track his runs and as a result, didn't cope. 

O'Loughlin is named at 6 but could possibly just swap with Conor Boyle and go midfield. Either way our Midfield's and Brian White on the forty strength is not defending and O'Loughlin's runs will have to tracked. 

Rift-Raff

Hence why Conor Rafferty is in the side.....much like Begley on the wing for Laois, he is there purely to track runners from the half back line and bulk up the middle sector...for a debutant, it is alot to ask but at least he will be well briefed on the role beforehand. Which will make it alot easier for him to settle.

Variables

The Midfield battle is so crucial and like the two sides very even....we do have Ronan Carroll as an option also (hopefully a pissed off I'm dropped Ronan Carroll) 
While they have Kevin Meaney in reserve.

Breaking ball will depend on hunger and the fall of the ball also...but with the likes of Andy, Jobser and Crilly sniffing about we should be okay.

The Laois Goalkeeper Culleton, hasn't a modern day Cluxton kickout either which means we have chance to get disrupt and compete for possession on their Kickouts. A major plus! and...
 the fact that Gally has improved his accuracy and speed of kickouts means we have a better chance of regaining possession also. 

We have the promise to dominate in the air....on the ground they might have the slight advantage but we seem to have a plan in place to even that up. How the plan plays out will depend on the day....just like the breaking ball!


2. 500 days of Shane Lennon

In recent seasons, his summer form is not as prolific as his league form.

The problem is, he is our main forward....and our plan A.

Get the ball to midfield and send Direct ball to Shane....

Be in absolute no doubt that they will have a plan in place
to counteract Shane, 

1 starve him of possession 
and 
2. suffocate him space wise. 
i.e. Like Cavan defence did on Jamie Clarke last week.

Okay, it won't be that bad as... Shane is alot bigger and physically harder to handle.

but,

We will have to be varied in our play and use Plan A to our advantage, by being patient and realising what is going on as it happens.

1. Possibly by using Shane as a  dummy up there....
We should utilise the extra space Ciaran Byrne and Maguire could be allowed and look for them first time instead of Shane.
2. Shane could come out the field, He's well able to play there aswell as confuse the Laois defence and leave them exposed with our two speedsters inside. Maguire especially.

 Also
3. We are going to have to Kick from long range.....
Whitzer, Andy, PK, Donnelly are well able to score from long range aswell as Crilly and Reido attacking from the back.

If we are bottled up this will have to a tactic employed.
4. Instead of kicking it inside to Shane. We could run the ball the whole way and drive at them and at least force free kicks in the Tyrone mould and that's where Brian White will earn his Corn especially!

Finally 5. Another way could be to take Shane off early doors if its not working adapt and change when the game is still there to be won....Jim, Judge, David Reid, Clarkie all offer something a little different and just as effective scorers... 


3. lightening Bolter

4.Defence Sense?