We all thought that it was going to be a quiet start to the year but by the looks of it there will be fireworks this evening in Armagh as the rivalry continues, both managers are going all out by the looks of the teams, I have to say I think this seen as set ur markers down for the season ahead. Armagh don't want to lose twice in January and Tyrone don't want to lose ground, for a Mc Kenna cup match this could be as good as a championship.

What's the peoples views on tonight?

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 21/01/2015 12:49:29    1685113

I agree that it is going to an intense affair. I do not think either county will lose sleep if they do not win however be rest assured both teams will leave nothing to chance. During Armagh and Tyrone's glory days the intense rivalry drove these two counties to great things and kept them at the top for a long time. Armagh's great breakthrough drove Tyrone on and the hurt Armagh experienced a year later brought them to further success albeit unlucky not to win another All Ireland. My point is we are only in January and I can feel the rivalry starting to buddle again which can only be a good thing for the two teams. Tonight will be tight and it may come down to who can keep 15 players on the field as well as not losing key men. At this time of year the referees are very whistle and card happy.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 21/01/2015 13:57:46    1685145

Would love to be at this game tonight, should be very interesting. This could be round 2 of a 3 round fight is Tyrone overcome Donegal in The USFC but tonight will more resemble UFC in my opinion!
Is it on Armagh tv?

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 21/01/2015 15:08:48    1685169

Hey Tir Conaill yes the match is live on Armagh TV.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 21/01/2015 15:14:39    1685174

Expect more righteous indignation from RTE and the sindo!

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 21/01/2015 15:27:06    1685188

Looking forward to this game. Tough to win twice at the Athletic Grounds inside a month but I take Tyrone to win and both teams will have gained good prep ahead of the league.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 21/01/2015 16:13:46    1685206

I'd be susprised if Tyrone select more than 7-8 of that side come the summer, and have included 2 lads making their first starts against other counties (McCann and McShane). Armagh's side looks to have 12-13 championship starters.

Armagh were the better side before they self-distructed the first day. I felt that they looked a bit further down the road in terms of fitness and gameplan. Those factors, allied to playing in front of what should be a large home crowd, should see Armagh as favousites tonight. Whatever the result, it's something to look forward to on a Wednesday evening in January!

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 21/01/2015 16:17:31    1685209

I'd agree with Thomas Clarke in that the Tyrone line-up looks more experimental and wanting to test a few lads in a proper tight match. Having looked at the replacements available it's seems very likely that Tyrone will finish with a stronger team than they are due to start with. With that in mind I think they might just edge a tight match by a point or two

downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 567 - 21/01/2015 16:28:24    1685215

I agree Armagh look to have a strong team selected tonight. I reckon when you consider the likes of Dyas, Mallon, Veron, Morgan and Stephen Harold to name just five who will pushing for places during the summer and are not selected tonight it shows Armagh appear to be coming back strongly. With a new physical trainer in Tyrone they are going to be better conditioned than previous years. Possibly the Donegal / Monaghan dominance of Ulster could be challenged this summer. As for tonight I predict people will be waiting for it to turn ugly but it could be a classic game between two great gaa counties with a healthly rivalry. 1

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 21/01/2015 16:54:08    1685229

would love to see this game.

any tips on how to see/get it?

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1595 - 21/01/2015 17:39:46    1685251

Google Armagh TV and it will bring you straight to the streaming page.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 21/01/2015 17:57:09    1685254

I heard Armagh v Tyrone 2 is opening for the Conor McGregor fight in Croker

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 21/01/2015 19:36:44    1685288

You sure gary?I heard McGregor is the warm up act for Armagh v Tyrone round 2.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 21/01/2015 19:46:24    1685292

cuederocket
County: Dublin
Posts: 1717

1685292
You sure gary?I heard McGregor is the warm up act for Armagh v Tyrone round 2.

Ah feck, they will be delaying the throw in then.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 21/01/2015 20:35:44    1685314

Cant believe this match has finished with 30 players on the field and it was a brilliant free flowing match according to reports. most people including myself thought this was going to be a bone crusher but it seems not and Tyrone power on.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 21/01/2015 21:56:30    1685349

border Gael, don't believe all u read, it was over in the first 15mins, Armagh played with no heart no guts and looked like a bad bad team. Tyrone were the better team, there was no free flowing football it was poor Armagh looked like a D3 team and Tyrone a D2 poor poor game.

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 22/01/2015 09:03:28    1685353

youngfella27 Dont know what game you where at but there was lots of good free flowing football last night mostly from Tyrone. Tyrone really upped the intensity and work rate from the first match, and the game was basically over at half time. Armagh had most of their main players on were as Tyrone had alot of squad memebers with young McCann in midfield making his debut, he looks a real good talent. Ultimately its still only the McKenna Cup and will count for little come the Championship, but never the less its always nice to get to a McKenna Cup Final again. Dont think to many Tyrone supporters will be going overboard about hammering a Division 3 Team. Tir' Eoghain Abu'

TyroneUltra (Tyrone) - Posts: 307 - 22/01/2015 11:25:54    1685397

TyroneUltra

I would agree with you that tyrone played all the better football, but it was a scrappy game with a lot of mistakes more from Armagh has to be said. Tyrone will be more the happier team out of it. tho the Armagh goalkeeper did gift them 2 of the 3 goals!!

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 22/01/2015 12:04:28    1685423

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0122/674828-mcgeeney-bemoans-comedy-of-errors-from-armagh/

Am I reading this right? Jamie Clarke at full back?!?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9135 - 22/01/2015 13:00:31    1685442

McGeeney's comments were tongue in cheek - Jamie Clarke was never at fullback, although he did spend the first 20 minutes getting roasted at left half back, before then moving into full-forward (where he was very good). When he came on against Tyrone the first day, he also played around half-back/midfield. I presume that this is McGeeney's way of trying to demonstrate to Clarke the increased workloads that will be expected of him, and perhaps to improve his tackling. Clarke, wonderful though he is on the ball, has a bad habit of letting defenders waltz past him when he fails to gather possession. Sean Boylan did something similar with John McDermott in the 1996 league, playing him at CHB in every game. Boylan later said that this was to improve Big John's defensive awareness, before moving him back to midfield at the start of the championship.

As for the game, well, the McKenna Cup gets all sorts of criticism for postponements, county/college player rows and turnstile fiascos, but it's hard not to love any competiton that lets you beat Armagh twice before the month of January is over!

This game was more open than the first encounter, and it suited Tyrone. We picked a small but very creative forward line, and they really troubled Armagh on the break. There were some superb scores, although all the Tyrone goals came as the result of mistakes. The attendance was just under 8,000, which is very impressive for a freezing Wednesday night in January. A nice way to start the year.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 22/01/2015 13:22:25    1685450