I see that Mickey Harte has either dropped Coney or he has left the panel of his own volition due to limited playing time.
Tyrone posters - can you shed any more light on this?

There was a time when he was tipped for superstar status but I know he has suffered a few serious injuries.
I remember last year against Cork in the NFL he was awesome, but wasn't really at it come Championship time.

Is it attitude? The injuries of the past taking too heavy a toll? Or a case of a young man just not cut out to deal with the expectation on him?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 28/01/2015 10:34:11    1687278

Can't help thinking that some of these omissions could be the result of the extreme commitments Mickey Harte is placing on the squad. I don't think there is any county in Ireland that is doing collective training 5 times per week. Seems like Mickey is putting everything into his last year, if it is his last!
Coney has never impressed me at senior level so it won't weaken Tyrone. Dermot Carlin has struggled with injury but the others are a suprise.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 28/01/2015 11:05:19    1687295

I was at that game in Cork. He seemed untouchable, on closer analysis though Corks defending was joke and was exposed by many as the year went on. Coney still looked special though and took advantage in a way few players would be capable scoring some incredible points. It is hard to imagine on ability alone a place couldn't be found for him on the Tyrone team not to mind the panel.

dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 337 - 28/01/2015 11:15:49    1687297

Kyle Coney = Declan Quill ie most hyped youngster to make it into the seniors but sadly senior football was just a step too far for Declan.
Quill used to be awesome in the league for kerry for several seasons, but when championship came about he was found wanting a bit like Coney.

Quill was an outstanding club forward though for all his career, how does Coney show up for his club?

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 28/01/2015 11:20:58    1687301

I'm suprised to see so many leave at once it hasnt been Mickey Harte's style in the past but I still dont know much about this story at this stage, hopefully someone can shed some light..

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 28/01/2015 11:24:05    1687303

In fairness Mark Donnelly and Joe the only real losses there. Mark probably showed he had lost a bit of pace last year and this year and need for fresh blood. Coney has had ample chances to make an impact. Got a lot more time than anyone else would be afforded and it just has not worked. Good at club level but has only ever shown it in that cork game at senior level. He should have been dropped 2 years ago and made prove he is worth his spot not just on reputation.

Harte is in a no win situation though. People complain when he moves players on and people complain when he doesn't bring them in. Its his call and his head on the line. As I say I think joe the only one could add something but he looked very unfit in mc kenna cup. Will find it difficult to get up to speed later in the year

redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 28/01/2015 11:58:13    1687316

I came back rom the McKenna Cup final on Saturday night in which Kyle was hooked off at half-time and watched the Cork NFL game last year which he tagged 9 points. I did this to try to understand why it has consistently not happened since. He scored every type of score conceivable as one said above with the ability few others possess to even attempt.
There were alarm bells ringing against Cavan which Tyrone and Cavan fans will have witnessed but it would be unfair to him to highlight here. Kyle is well put together ..big strong lad, with great feet but must've avoided swallowing the midges growing up around the lough. It's a great pity...he was the great hope for me.
As someone said Joe is taking time out for his PGCE but looked like he needed all the games so puzzled why he played on Saturday as things developed. Disappointed for Sparky great work rate if not the finishers quality.
Someone mentioned 5 collective sessions ..is that true haven't heard that and runs counter to Micky's early season philosophy though Peter Donnelly has been brought in on Strength and conditioning which we have fallen well behind on.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 28/01/2015 13:02:30    1687341

Joe McMahon probably will be back...he's been on the go a long time and especially with Omagh going far in the Ulster Championship he probably just needs a recharge.

As for Kyle Coney - injuries have really killed him as a player - I would say the lad feels bad enough turning Oz down at this stage and leaving county panel without a thread on a National Forum mind you, perhaps he'll be back - suppose he's still very young really but looks like Mickey Harte is going all out in his final year.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 28/01/2015 13:11:45    1687346

You need steel in the belly for Senior County football and unfortunately some young talented footballers do not have this in their make up.

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 28/01/2015 13:31:16    1687364

It's a pity for Tyrone and the fella himself. Who knows maybe a stint back with the club might spur him on.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 28/01/2015 14:15:21    1687384

woops - I think there were other external mitigating circumstances as to why Declan Quill didn't get a continued run in the Kerry team. It's not that he didn't score, wasn't he top scorer in the league one season?

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 28/01/2015 14:18:18    1687386

Despite playing in an Ulster club final with Omagh in November, Big Joe looks very out of shape. I'm not sure he'll be back. Mark Donnelly has lost his pace, and that was so much of his game. Carlin hasn't been fit in 2 years, and Kane has had his chances but rarely impressed.

Of the 5, Coney is the one that I'm most sorry to see go. Having said that, despite being a very gifted kicker of a ball and capable of some outgrageous scores, I can understand why it hasn't worked out.

As a minor Kyle, was bigger and stronger than most opponents, but at senior level such differences are always less magnified. He's also short a half yard of pace for the senior game and isn't as sharp with his passes as most of our other forwards. However, perhaps the biggest problem is that he spills too many balls. Perhaps this is poor hand/eye co-ordination, or maybe it is simply down to a lack of desire to really win the ball, I don't know, but it is this inability to attack and secure a ball that leads to most of the criticism that comes his way.

Personally, Id've persevered a bit longer, simply because the potential upside with him remains very high. When he is on his game at corner forward, he is very impressive. Colm McFadden had similar gifts to Coney and he too was tarred with the 'soft' brush for years. However, late in his career, Jimmy MGuinness was able to tap into him and turn him into one of the best forwards in ireland. I doubt Kyle's footballing career will have a similar happy ending, but who knows. If he can show form with his club and a new manager takes over next season, perhaps Kyle will be back.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 28/01/2015 14:54:16    1687402

I remember a big fuss made about him going to Australia. Mickey Harte and Sean Cavanagh were harping on about it at the time and Coney gave in to the pressure to stick with Tyrone and turn his back on a possible professional career. All for nothing now.
A few years down under would have been a great experience regardless of weather he made it or not. You got to feel sorry for the guy.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1109 - 28/01/2015 15:20:20    1687407

GetOverTheBar
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1173

As for Kyle Coney - injuries have really killed him as a player - I would say the lad feels bad enough turning Oz down at this stage and leaving county panel without a thread on a National Forum mind you, perhaps he'll be back - suppose he's still very young really
In line with the post above, all of these lads Kyle included give of their time freely for the benefit of their county so if they have reached the stage where they no longer feel able to do that or the Manager feels he wants to run with someone else then fair play to them and thanks for the effort over the years.

Personally I've a wee notion that Kyle might be back in in a season or two with a fresh appetite and play the role of target man.

Re the other lads Dermy and Big Joe in particular have had careers that most lads who have kicked a size 5 would kill their granny for.

downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 567 - 28/01/2015 17:08:10    1687465

The comparison with McFadden is a good one. For a lot of years Colm cut a frustrated figure and he exasperated a lot of Donegal supporters. There would be flashes of brilliance but on other occasions his frustration would get the better of him.

What we saw in 2012 especially was a truer reflection of his talents.

I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Mr. Coney.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 29/01/2015 11:13:59    1687643

He has the talent, but every piece must fit in perfectly in order to complete a Jigsaw, and he simply doesn't fit into the Mickey Harte Jigsaw. Not a slight on his character, talent or ability, as Tyrone have enough other Issues excusing why its now 7 years since their last serious assault on the All Ireland Championship.

I remember Kyle Coney coming on late against Mayo in The 2013 All Ireland SF, and caused major problems for the Mayo backs, albeit too late to have any serious or meaningful Impact. I only remember him being a bit-part player for Tyrone over the last 2 years or so, when he should have been in the starting 15.

Tyrone have been held back by Mickey Harte's failure to have a seamless transition in talent, Coupled with their departure from the defensive style football that brought them so much success. It long overdue for somebody else to take the reigns of Tyrone, and maybe then Kyle Coney will get to show his true potential

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 29/01/2015 12:31:21    1687681

Hearing rumours of a row between him and harte- but who knows. Do tyrone have enough fire power to have a right go at the league and ulster championship? Obviously big sean but talented young players like ronan oneill, darren mccurry, conor mcaliskey and shea mcguigan. Would like to see niall mckenna get more game time in maybe a possible centre half forward role

budlight (Tyrone) - Posts: 540 - 29/01/2015 14:27:24    1687723

Looking at the Tyrone set up I'm a big fan of Ronan O'Neill. He has the ability to replace Mc Guigan at No.11. I think Mc Curry is grand when Tyrone are winning and playing well but I wouldn't be looking to him in a tight physical battle. Sean Cavanagh would be a good full forward but Tyrone would miss his runs through the middle unless new Mc Nulty fella steps into that role. All in all I don't think Coney has shown enough consistency to warrant a place on the Tyrone set up and like our Brick Molloy maybe a few years of club football will do him no harm.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 29/01/2015 16:42:48    1687777

GaryMc82
County: Derry
Posts: 1598

1687681
He has the talent, but every piece must fit in perfectly in order to complete a Jigsaw, and he simply doesn't fit into the Mickey Harte Jigsaw. Not a slight on his character, talent or ability, as Tyrone have enough other Issues excusing why its now 7 years since their last serious assault on the All Ireland Championship.

I remember Kyle Coney coming on late against Mayo in The 2013 All Ireland SF, and caused major problems for the Mayo backs, albeit too late to have any serious or meaningful Impact. I only remember him being a bit-part player for Tyrone over the last 2 years or so, when he should have been in the starting 15.

Tyrone have been held back by Mickey Harte's failure to have a seamless transition in talent, Coupled with their departure from the defensive style football that brought them so much success. It long overdue for somebody else to take the reigns of Tyrone, and maybe then Kyle Coney will get to show his true potential


Agreed, no harm to Mickey Harte but I think he's past his best by a couple of years, his work is done and it was fantastic work but it looks like Tyrone need a new voice

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 29/01/2015 18:08:32    1687827

Richieq
County: Meath
Posts: 1892

1687827
GaryMc82
County: Derry
Posts: 1598

1687681 Agreed, no harm to Mickey Harte but I think he's past his best by a couple of years, his work is done and it was fantastic work but it looks like Tyrone need a new voice

I've heard a few people say that Peter Canavan will have to be given first shot at replacing Mickey Harte, but that there is a stronger contender after Canavan ( I can't remember the name, although it might have been Peter Donnelly ).
Basically nobody will get a fair crack at the job, so long as Canavan's shadow looms over them. However if he gets his shot and fails, It will give the next person a fair chance.

Mickey Harte has been an outstanding servant to Tyrone, but I do agree it is time for him to step down. They need a fresh voice to refresh the whole thing.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 29/01/2015 21:00:55    1687903