McKenna Cup Final – Derry V Tyrone – Live on TG4 from 7.15 this Saturday
The McKenna cup final is a repeat of last years decider which Derry one by a single point. The defending champions go in to Saturday night’s game in good form, having beaten UUJ, Donegal and Down on their march to the final. However form at this stage of the year means very little, with so many teams playing experimental sides. The main positive that can be taken from Derry’s campaign so far, is the return of their scoring supremo Paddy Bradley. The 2007 All Star played the full 60 minutes the last day out contributing three point to his teams over all tally. He will again be the target man on Saturday with Conleith Gilligan picking up the breaks as he did so ably in the semi final. If the understanding between these two player continues in the same vain, this could turn out to be a very successful year for John Brennan’s men.
Tyrone have had a relatively straight forward run to this year’s final. They had an easy victory over Queens in the first round beating them by 8 points, before seeing off Antrim and Fermanagh twice. Against Fermanagh the second time Tyrone were very impressive, with the highlight being Owen Mulligan’s goal, which was reminiscent of his wonder goal against the Dubs in 2005. On the other hand the fact Fermanagh are a division four side, who were beaten by London in the championship last year, has to be taken in to consideration when accessing Tyrone’s performance. Harte has named a relatively experienced side with 5 players who were involved in last years championship defeat to Dublin, as well as Owen Mulligan and Stephen O’ Neil. The one surprise omission is teenager Ronan O’ Neil who scored 1-04 in the semi final but expect to see him as the game progresses. This will be Tyrone’s toughest test this year and should give them a clearer idea of where the team is at before the start of the league.
There is very little between these two teams at the moment so it will be about who wants it more. Owen Mulligan as team captain has a point to prove and another good showing from him could turn the tie in Tyrone’s favour.
Verdict: Tyrone
O’ Byrne Cup Final – Kildare V DCU – Live on TG4 this Sunday from 1.45
It is hard to know how DCU will approach this match. They were due to play the first round of the Sigerson cup, “their championship” as manager Niall Moyna put it 48 hours later. That game has now been postponed until the 7th of February allowing them to concentrate fully on Sunday’s game. The students should not see this game as a burden as the last time they won the O’ Byrne cup (2010) they went on to secure the Sigerson cup title in the same year. DCU have a huge amount of talent at their disposal, in their semi final victory over Meath they had 11 county players on display. With Sligo’s David Kelly being most prominent scoring 2-01. They have scored an impressive 4-37 in their three games, that’s an average of over sixteen points per game. If they manage to do the same on Sunday it would be hard to seen them beaten. However Kildare are a tough experienced side who are unlikely to concede scores as freely as Wicklow, Longford and Meath did.
Kildare are warm favourites for this one and with good reason having beaten the All Ireland Champions in the Semi Final. It was a typical January encounter with plenty of mistakes but it was a game that will stand to the Lilly whites for the final. McGeeney’s team greatest strength to date this year has been it’s defense. They have conceded just twenty one points in their three games. Scoring has always been their problem though and they kicked some terrible wides against Dublin. John Doyle is again likely to be deployed at midfield on Sunday a move which is counter productive if there is no other scoring forwards to convert the chances he creates.
Verdict: Kildare should have too much for the students in a game that is likely to be low scoring.
Paul Jenkins for Blog GAA BEO
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