Official attendance in Omagh: 6,655 Half-time: Tyrone 0-10 Fer 0-1 Stephen O'Neill outstanding.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 18/01/2012 20:31:36    1096255

That's some attendance, brilliant stuff. Hopefully Stephen can stay healthy this year.

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 18/01/2012 20:53:58    1096269

Any full tome score on that??

Cavanperson (Cavan) - Posts: 65 - 18/01/2012 21:38:32    1096302

There needs to be a reality check on here about fermanagh winning ulster,10pts to 1pt half time v tyrone,its january winter and only the mc kenna cup.I would rather have six pts in the league than a semi in mc kenna cup.To many getting carried away even tyrone supporters about fermanagh.

93vintageyear (Derry) - Posts: 301 - 18/01/2012 21:45:42    1096307

Final score: Tyrone 0-13 Fermanagh 1-7.

Semi-final pairings are confirmed:
Tyrone v Fermanagh (again), Down v Derry. Venues & dates tbc.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 18/01/2012 21:53:38    1096315

Great to see Tyrone and Fermanagh playing well. Fermangh showing us all that they mean business this year, good fighting spirit in the second half. For my own County its brillaint to see so many new players coming into the mix, Micky has great options this year, fantastic mix of youth and experience. Stephen O'Neill is back to his best

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 19/01/2012 09:46:08    1096365

You're probably right 93v,

But i s'pose people are just trying to give a county who have been in the doldrums for a long time a bit of encouragement

And what's wrong with that?

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 19/01/2012 10:40:23    1096410

I think 93' needs to revisit the final scoreline and I think anyone who wants to pinpoint Fermanaghs reliance on Seamus Quigley would need to also look at Tyrones similar reliance on the great Stephen O'Neill. Fermanagh gave the home side only one score from play in the second half and I think you will see the Fermanagh defence turn the screws on O'Neill when they meet in Armagh - in Owens they have a man well fit for the task on the right day. A fantastic attendance and it is heartening to see the Tyrone faithful support theyre smaller neighbours and Peter Canavan in their efforst to rebuild - I would predict the Fermanagh folk will return the voice of support as the Red Hands progress this year with an exciting young team. I think it is important that we voice encouragement for counties in this position whilst not becoming patronising. A few of the posts have been vacant of any valid opinion - I would suggest that a few folk review their home counties record against the Ernemen in recent years before vicariously knocking them down as no hopers.

whosyourdaddy (USA) - Posts: 9 - 19/01/2012 11:30:41    1096432

I agree with what you're saying to an extent whos..., but I'm not going to turn it into some competition or battle of wills between Fermanagh and my own county on HS

I just love the idea of former footballing great taking over a bunch of minnows who have been down and out for some time - no neutral Gael likes to see teams down and out

Maybe their perfromance wasn't up to scratch but they are only going from scratch at the moment. I personally wish them well and will be following the Ulster championship with keen interest

And on a side note, I think Ulster will be the most intriguing provincial championship this year, it has not been so open in years

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 19/01/2012 11:46:20    1096444

That certainly was targeted at you Gigoer - I totally agree with you point about supporting smaller sides who have not been having an easy run. I also agree that the Ulster C'ship will have all eyes on it this year - to be fair to Fermanagh, they made the 2008 Ulster C'ship the best in many years - they really did light up the competition - and it would be good to see them at least make a solid account of themselves this year. It would be important to reiterate that this thread was intended as a conversation piece - no one is rushing out to place bets on Fermanagh for Ulster champs - I just think some posting have been reading that their own way in order to take a swipe at the Ernemen rather than engaging sensibly as you have been. Great to see a Wexford Gael giving props to a side that are fighting their way back from the brink.

whosyourdaddy (USA) - Posts: 9 - 19/01/2012 12:07:09    1096460

whosyourdaddy - I don't think anyone is having a swipe at Fermanagh, I wasn't anyway. With the obvious exception of their first Championship match, I hope they do well. The point I would make again is that the crucial measure of success for Fermanagh this year will be promotion from Division 4. You mentioned above, in reply to me I think, Fermanagh's defeat of Down in 2009 (we went out of the qualifiers to Wicklow in 2009 by the way). However, much it hurt at the time, it is clear in rhetrospect that the most important thing for Down football in 2009 was promotion out of Division 3. By contrast Fermanagh's relegation from Division 2 that year indicated a totally different trajectory. Promotion is bankable, you play in a higher division the follwing year - good championship runs arn't.

At this stage I would guess that the five contenders for promotion are Limerick, Waterford, Wicklow Carlow and Fermanagh (just based on the order they finished last year) with at least 7 wins required to be sure of going up. Like Micky Harte, Peter Canavan is taking the McKenna Cup seriously so should have momentum going into the League but it will be a hard slog.

Every year I do a Yankee to pick the 4 divisional winners (never win) but I think I will go with Fermanagh this year for Division 4 (Longford for 3, Tyrone for 2 and the Dubs for 1). Do you think an Ulster free Division 4 is a possibility for next year?

kickpass (Down) - Posts: 208 - 19/01/2012 14:14:09    1096552

I wasnt taking a swipe at fermanagh i was just stating the hype surrounding peter canavan taking charge that alot were getting carried away in january,they will improve under canavan and i will put a few bob on them getting promoted.Big crowd last night was like a testimonial for we peter who brought the erne men to omagh under his stewardship and fought well after the break closed the gap after poor 1st half.Best of luck to fermanagh this season hope you surprise down in the championship and get promoted.

93vintageyear (Derry) - Posts: 301 - 19/01/2012 14:51:01    1096564

whosyourdaddy
County: USA
Posts: 9

I just think some posting have been reading that their own way in order to take a swipe at the Ernemen rather than engaging sensibly as you have been.

Thanks for that comment, I try to be sporting & open minded in general (although I tend to take no prisoners when it comes to wums & trolls) but unfortunately in Internet forums you will always get people taking swipes, that's just how it is.

Great to see a Wexford Gael giving props to a side that are fighting their way back from the brink.

We haven't won a senior title in 65 years in football, but these days we have forged ourselves into a decent team that deserves some respect these days, so we know all about fighting our way back from the brink!

Cheers man

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 19/01/2012 14:51:09    1096565

kickpass
County: Down
Posts: 98
Every year I do a Yankee to pick the 4 divisional winners (never win) but I think I will go with Fermanagh this year for Division 4 (Longford for 3, Tyrone for 2 and the Dubs for 1). Do you think an Ulster free Division 4 is a possibility for next year?

I would caution against Tyrone for Div 2. I know I wouldn't be putting any money of my own on them!

EnolaGay (Tyrone) - Posts: 653 - 19/01/2012 15:27:51    1096591

I might have unintentionally generalised in my above post, I simply meant some people are taking swipes at Fermanagh but unfair to suggest everyone is

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 19/01/2012 15:53:22    1096609

with all these Tyrone posters backing the urn men Fermanagh are turning into Tyrone B team, it might have been all smiles and pats on the back for "god" last night but Mickey Harte will show his teeth if they meet in the championship no friends in the heat of the summer

brolly_4_pres (Derry) - Posts: 356 - 19/01/2012 17:32:09    1096686

I think Ulster is anybodies, whoever wants it most. Armagh and tyrone just aren't the same force as before but probably are favourites. after that down, donegal, derry all looking to capture it and every bit as capable as the previous 2. 5 very capable teams for all ireland chance. After that, god knows what monaghan, cavan, fermanagh and antrim will do, but you can rest assure, there will be no handy games this year. Potential for great games, potential for brutal games, cant wait...

81DLSAM (Donegal) - Posts: 281 - 19/01/2012 18:56:25    1096728

EnolaGay
County: Tyrone

"I would caution against Tyrone for Div 2. I know I wouldn't be putting any money of my own on them!"

Paddy Power has the Division 2 betting as:

Kildare 5/2
Tyrone 10/3
Galway & Meath 9/2
Derry 5/1
Monaghan 10/1
Westmeath & Louth 28/1

My money is on Tyrone because Mickey Heart understands the importance of League progress and the team rebuilding seems to have progressed well. Kildare on the other hand are hugely focused of the Leinster Championship and I suspect that Kieran McGeeney will once again time his preparation for that and won't concentrate on the NFL. 5/1 is a very good price for Derry but on balance I'll go for Tyrone to win the Division with Derry or Kildare to go up with them.

kickpass (Down) - Posts: 208 - 19/01/2012 19:47:05    1096761

donegal , seriously organised team and extremely hard to break down. Gonna be a tough task to beat them and if the forward line fires they can beat anyone

DownAndOut (Down) - Posts: 344 - 20/01/2012 10:19:19    1096903

DownAndOut
County: Down
Posts: 216

1096903 donegal , seriously organised team and extremely hard to break down. Gonna be a tough task to beat them and if the forward line fires they can beat anyone

I think Donegal will not have the same approach as last year. Altough they will of course be very negative in their play i feel they will open up a little bit more as they have learnt all irelands cannot be won without attacking play. This will enable good teams to punish them on the counter attack. It will be a close game but I think Down should have enough to win it

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 20/01/2012 10:36:39    1096915