Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final: Tyrone v Donegal (Sunday, Clones, 2pm)
DESPITE his poor command of the English language, Giovanni Trapattoni could communicate a message when he wanted to.
When he was Republic of Ireland manager, the football was terrible to watch.
But the veteran Italian coach was unapologetic for this.
He would openly sneer at the so-called purists in his midst during press conferences.
Raising his voice, he’d say: “If you want to see a show, go to the opera. If you want a result, go to football.”
Trapattoni never pretended to be in the business of entertainment.
The last consideration on the minds of Mickey Harte and Rory Gallagher as they walk out to share the same stretch of well-worn sideline in St Tiernach’s Park tomorrow afternoon is entertaining the masses.
This rivalry runs too deep to care about aesthetics.
The 20,000-plus supporters who will climb Clones hill with a spring in their step aren't into opera.
They know what Tyrone and Donegal will serve up. A carbon copy of last summer's provincial decider.
A chess match, only played out on an acre of finely manicured grass.
The ground rules are the same as last time: the team with the highest amount of turnovers wins.
Donegal were the team that knocked Tyrone off their perch in 2011, and history embarked on a different course.
The Red Hands might have felt pick-pocketed in that bruising Ulster semi-final six years ago – but Donegal placed them in a vice-like grip in subsequent provincial meetings in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Donegal’s dominance over them created an identity crisis within Tyrone ranks.
When the sides played, Donegal always dictated the terms of engagement, and invariably won.
But after last year’s epic Tyrone victory in sun-drenched Clones, the landscape has changed.
Tyrone now dictate the terms. And the team that manages to do that usually wins.
In terms of personnel, there’s been quite an overhaul in personnel up in Donegal.
Bolstered by the pace and power of the county’s hugely talented U21 side, Gallagher may feel there is more dynamism, more line-breakers and definitely more legs in Donegal's ranks this year.
Donegal led 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval during last summer’s decider.
In Tyrone-Donegal parlance that’s an insurmountable lead.
But Donegal made the grave error of trying to protect their advantage.
They emerged for the second half, played a thousand harmless balls across the pitch; they were eventually lured into Tyrone’s web along the three-quarter line, coughed up too many balls and paid the ultimate price on the counter-attack.
While trying to find a way to break through Tyrone's muscular defence, Gallagher's other over-riding project in Donegal is trying to make their style of play more flexible and suitable for the ever-changing nuances of the modern game.
In his bid to tweak things, Gallagher may privately concede that Tyrone’s defensive system is better than Donegal’s.
In an insightful interview with Sunday Times journalist Mick Foley in February, Gallagher articulated what needed changing in Donegal
“The bottom line is, to be successful in Ulster and the All-Ireland series, we’ve got to be able to kick 17/18 points regularly.
“That has been a failing over the last number of years. We’ve got to marry it with developing players at the back who can hold their own with not as much protection.”
He added: “We’ve got to develop more kicking players. We’ve brought in a number of young players whose first option is to get their head up and kick the ball. We’ve had to run ball to get all our scores and while that’s a very big part of our game, we need that bit more variety.”
What the Ulster Championship has taught us this year is that the big teams don’t have to be at their best to get over the first hurdle.
Tyrone and Donegal won at a canter against Derry and Antrim, respectively.
Paddy McGrath and Neil McGee are two seasoned operators. Neither was at their best against Antrim.
CJ McGourty found it quite easy to escape McGee’s grasp, particularly in the first half, while Tomas McCann showed McGrath a clean pair of heels on a number of occasions.
The diagonal ball led to two excellent goal chances for Antrim but neither was converted.
In Gallagher’s desire to modernise, the full-back line’s insurance policy has been stripped back.
If they're vulnerable to early diagonal balls, it is not something Tyrone practise with any great regularity.
In the early stages of their clash with Derry, Kieran McGeary fired one rocket towards Sean Cavanagh, which yielded a converted free.
But, generally, the Tyrone players are conditioned to play the percentages and run the ball.
In the 13th minute, Tyrone’s reliance on a singular strategy was summed up in one move.
They had a glorious chance to kick the diagonal ball into Cavanagh who was one-on-one with Derry’s Brendan Rogers and perfectly positioned to receive a kick pass.
The advancing Peter Harte was in a position to make it a two-versus-one situation in Tyrone’s favour.
The opening lasted for a split second.
Between Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly and Conor Meyler they ran the ball and although the attack did end in a point, there was a predictable nature about how Tyrone entered Derry's half of the field.
When they do attack, Tyrone’s decision-making has to be better, particularly against better quality opposition such as Donegal.
In the second half, Tyrone appeared to be under orders to kick the ball into their full-forward line more often. And they did for a while.
Four balls in quick succession were kicked into Mark Bradley with mixed results before Tyrone reverted back to their tried and trusted running game.
Despite winning by 16 points against Antrim, you got the distinct impression Donegal were playing well within themselves.
Ryan McHugh will be better. Eoin McHugh will start. Jamie Brennan will be buoyed by his 1-1 salvo. Patrick McBrearty will be straining at the leash.
Each of them has pace to burn.
Donegal fans are no longer grief-stricken over the departure of Odhran MacNiallais given the indomitable rise of Ciaran Thompson who scores points for fun.
And there’s always Michael Murphy who will come bounding into the picture from deep positions to make a difference.
Donegal have the tools to win but the Tyrone defence is desperately hard to get around.
The turnover count will be telling.
Tyrone will play the percentages and run the ball.
The Red Hands just might chisel out enough scores to win their latest chess match with Donegal.
Man of the Moment…
Michael Murphy
FOR sheer power, the big Glenswilly man is a work of art. Has there ever been a stronger man that has played Gaelic football? Murphy, who suffered an injury scare ahead of tomorrow’s clash, was the driving force in Donegal’s handy win over Antrim last month.
Aside from his strength and power, the Donegal captain’s game intelligence is his most outstanding quality as a footballer. Shadowed by Antrim’s physically imposing Sean McVeigh, Murphy knew when to sit back and when to break forward.
He almost always gives the right pass at the right time and his free-taking is outstanding.
He will be given special attention from Tyrone again but he looks sharper than he did 12 months ago.
Team talk…
Tyrone
MICKEY Harte has named the same starting team that defeated Derry but the thinking is there will be at least one late change to the side that takes to the field against Donegal tomorrow.
Cathal McCarron could be drafted into the side with Michael Murphy in mind.
As with a lot of teams these days, it’s what you have in reserve that can swing games.
Darren McCurry was brilliant when he came in against Derry while Lee Brennan also gave the Red Hand attack an added dimension. Options abound among the subs.
Tyrone: N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee, P Hampsey; T McCann, R Brennan, P Harte; C Cavanagh, C McCann; K McGeary, N Sludden, C Meyler; M Bradley, S Cavanagh, M Donnelly
Team talk…
Donegal
BARRING injury, it’s inconceivable Eoin McHugh not starting. It’s understood Michael Carroll is likely to make way for the Kilcar speed merchant.
An impressive addition to the Donegal back-line last season, Gweedore’s Ciaran Gillespie is back in the reckoning.
Donegal’s bench against Antrim was of Allstar quality [Patrick McBrearty, Karl Lacey, Eon McHugh, Martin McElhinney and U21 ace Michael Langan] with two of them expecting to earn starts tomorrow [McBrearty and McHugh].
Donegal: MA McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, E ‘Ban’ Gallagher; M O’Reilly, F McGlynn, C Ward; C Thompson, J McGee: M Carroll, H McFadden, R McHugh; P McBrearty, M Murphy, J Brennan
Tactical take…
Tyrone
THERE was a time when Donegal were the team that didn’t change their style for anybody. Now, Tyrone have taken over that mantle. They will put their trust in winning turnovers along their half-back line and running the ball into Donegal territory.
Establishing an early lead is key for Tyrone. If they’re left chasing Donegal, it could take them out of their comfort zone.
But given the way in which Antrim exposed the Donegal defence, Tyrone’s attackers must be more mindful of getting the ball in early to Sean Cavanagh and utilising the clever movement and deadly finishing of Mark Bradley.
Tactical take…
Donegal
WHAT Donegal may lose in defence, they gain in attack. They have brilliant ball carriers that will drive at the heart of the Tyrone defence from deep areas – Marty O’Reilly, Frank McGlynn, Eoin McHugh and Ryan McHugh, while Jamie Brennan is adept at looping and using his pace from a slightly deeper position.
With that kind of pace it is likely the free count will climb which could see free-takers play a pivotal role.
In Ciaran Thompson and Michael Murphy, Donegal have the edge in this department.
Don’t be surprise if Donegal try to test the aerial ability of Tyrone’s full-back line in the early stages – as Cavan successfully did in last year’s semi-final.
Key battle…
Michael Murphy (Donegal) v Cathal McCarron (Tyrone)
MICKEY Harte doesn’t often deviate from his named line-ups but the Tyrone manager could make an exception this weekend. The man who marks Michael Murphy might be lurking among the Tyrone substitutes.
Justin McMahon has, erm, got to know Murphy well over the years but the Omagh defender mighn’t have enough match practice under his belt.
That probably leaves Cathal McCarron for the job. The Dromore defender did a good marking job on Murphy in last year’s Ulster final and could be the man again.
Regardless of who is given the onerous task, the Donegal captain looks in better shape in 2017 and will take some minding.
Who’s the ref…
David Coldrick (Meath)
ABSOLUTELY no surprise David Coldrick has been chosen to take charge of this high stakes Ulster affair. The Meath man knows northern terrain like the back of his hand.
He took charge of last year’s final and endured a bit of criticism for black-carding Mattie Donnelly and Cathal McShane.
Prone to some weird decisions, Coldrick is still one of the better officials. He’s taken charge of Kildare’s Leinster Championship win over Laois this season. Coldrick’s GPS stats should be up from last year’s final particularly with the amount of pace in Donegal’s attack.
Weather watch…
THIS semi-final is likely to be played under threatening grey skies. There might be a skiff of rain but conditions for football should be good. Temperatures might tip over 20°C but it’s the high humidity levels that will really test the fitness levels in the second half.
Betting box…
Tyrone 3/4
Donegal 6/4
Draw 7/1
Handicap betting
Tyrone (-1) 11/10
Donegal (+1) 10/11
Draw (-1) 15/2
First goalscorer
Patrick McBrearty 4/1
Mark Bradley 4/1
No goalscorer 10/3
Last five previous meetings
2016 Ulster SFC final: Donegal 0-11 Tyrone 0-13
2015 Ulster SFC preliminary round: Donegal 1-13 Tyrone 1-10
2013 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 2-10 Tyrone 0-10
2012 Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal 0-12 Tyrone 0-10
2011 Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal 2-6 Tyrone 0-9
Last Championship meeting...
July 17 2016: 2016 Ulster SFC final: Donegal 0-11 Tyrone 0-13
THIS was the day Donegal ran out of gas and handed the bragging rights over to Tyrone who celebrated their first Ulster title triumph since 2010.
Donegal led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the break but were already trying to run down the clock as soon as the ball was thrown in for the second half.
When Donegal did attack Tyrone they lacked conviction and pace and were duly turned over.
Tyrone were more accurate in the second half and although their defensive strategy was key to the outcome, so too was the magnificent finishes from man-of-the-match Sean Cavanagh and Peter Harte.
In an era of methodical gameplans, individual brilliance still played a key role in the destination of the Anglo-Celt Cup.
Donegal: MA McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, C Gillespie; R McHugh (0-3), K Lacey, F McGlynn; R Kavanagh, O Mac Niallais (0-2); A Thompson, E McGee, E McHugh; P McBrearty (0-3, 0-2 frees),
M Murphy (0-2, 0-1 45), M O’Reilly Blood sub: M McElhinney for E McHugh (33). Subs: M McElhinney for Kavanagh (45), M McHugh for A Thompson (53), C Toye (0-1) for F McGlynn (64), E Ban Gallagher for C Gillespie (67), A Thompson for E McHugh (68), C McFadden for P McBrearty (71).
Yellow cards: R Kavanagh (37), A Thompson (51), P McGrath (76)
Tyrone: N Morgan (0-2, frees); A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron (0-1); T McCann, J McMahon, P Harte (0-2); C Cavanagh, M Donnelly; C McShane (0-1), N Sludden (0-1), R McNabb; C McAliskey, S Cavanagh (0-3), R O’Neill Subs: R Brennan (0-1) for M Donnelly (33), M Bradley for C McShane (37), J Monroe for R O’Neill (53); D McCurry (0-1) for C McAliskey (64), K McGeary (0-1) for J McMahon (71)
Black cards: M Donnelly replaced by R Brennan (33), C McShane replaced by M Bradley (37).
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)
Attendance: 33,433
