Derry v Tyrone The Championship

Welcome to week two of the Championship. Welcome to Celtic

Park. It's the holders against Derry. Will it be say tasty,

sunshine football? Derry reveal absolutely nothing as they leave the

bus. They are defending in their own ground a substantial reputation, up

against Mickey Harte's men, current holders Tyrone. John -- Sean

Cavanagh with one last hurrah and very much the fulcrum. The full

sweep of the foil behind, snaking along. I have two of Ulster

football's finest front men alongside me. Is it Groundhog Day or

do we have cause for optimism? Always cause for optimism. Derry are

up against it today. The good thing for them is that no one expects

anything from them. Tyrone are overwhelming favourites, looking

very relaxed and it's up to Derry to bring something different than we

have seen so far this year. Do Derry have something different to bring,

Paddy? The bookmakers have Tyrone by five points and they don't often get

it wrong. Derry will be looking for a more spirited performance than

last year. Derry will have to get into Tyrone's faces and physically

match up to them and make it difficult. We welcome your comments

and observations. This is how to contact us at the usual social media

outlets. Get in touch and we will put your questions and observations

to the boys. We remember last year. Oshima killed well

what will Derry have learned? There was a bit of optimism around Derry

last year but it was soon quietened. The game was effectively over after

ten or 15 minutes. Derry showed very little fight and Tyrone put their

foot off the accelerator towards the end. 11 points flattered Derry in

the end. It seemed easy enough last year, Tyrone were in second gear. I

think Derry paid them too much respect, the likes of Neil Sludden,

McCann, and O'Neill, they were left untouched last year. Is that

resource there in Derry? Can Damian Barton get it out of them? That's

the thing, do Derry have the players that can do it? Going back to 2006,

when Derry were playing Omagh, nobody gave them a chance then, but

if they get the match-ups right, they will put them under pressure to

see what they've got. Let's see if our resident bloodhound has sniffed

out any pre-match news. For the second consecutive week, neither

manager has made any personnel changes. Although I would expect

some switches within the Tyrone setup, missing likes of Conal

McCann. All the talk this year has been, how do Tyrone play? Mickey

Harte in the latter stages tried Donnelly alongside Sean Cavanagh.

Donnelly is a two-time all-star at midfield. Wearing number 15 today,

but you would expect he would play the role around the centre of the

pitch. Conor Meyler at full forward, will probably play in that sector as

well. A lot of switches for Tyrone, not only in defence but into attack.

For Derry, everything I hear is that they will go very defensive in this

account. They are without the likes of... It'll be up to the likes of

Danny Tallon, the exciting young forward, to make the difference.

Paddy, take is on a trip through the Derry starting 15. It's a big day

for Ben McKinless in goals. Yet to play a senior Championship game with

his club. They welcome back Ciaran McFaul in

central defence. They have four inside forwards within the six

forward. Who will be the two forwards? We don't know. McGuckin,

you have looked at him. Do you expect he will be roving today? He

has been fit for the club for the last few league games. One of

Derry's best performers, Danny Heavron. Become ghost between the

midfield and forward line and he can score. Expecting McGuckin and Danny

Heavron to come out. They will need big games for Tyrone today. Looking

at last it, that will be the blueprint. It is. A lot of changes

in Tyrone in that time. Looking at the defensive changes, they haven't

got a huge amount of experience. Hampsey is the most inexperienced

going in there. A lot revolves around the half forward line and how

they can break forward. In the middle of the field, McCann, Conor

Meyler and McGeary, they have brought their form into today. They

will be the biggest players. The biggest conundrum is how they line

up upfront. Bradley will stay inside, and I expect Sean Kavanagh

to stay inside with Sludden in a diamond formation. All the other

players are quite defensive minded and they will be expected to do a

bit of work behind the ball. The big thing that Tyrone -based most things

on is Tiernan McCann breaking forward. And Peter Harte, he is the

constant in the Tyrone team and the one you can rely on. He is normally

man marked by the opposition. The big thing about Peter Harte is that

last year he played in an Ulster final and kicked an unbelievable

score to get Tyrone over the line in that game. I think he has brought a

lot to his game since then. He realises now he's one of the older

members of the team and is a leader. Tyrone need to get scores from all

over the field. They don't have marquee forwards. O'Neill, McCurry

and Murkowski worthy/ steer. None of them are starting now. They don't

have a marksman. -- worthy starters last time out. Peter Harte can punch

holes in your defence. Looking at the Derry team, I would like to see

Ciaran McFaul. He is fit and has some fight in his game. There are

rumours Enda Lynn might pick him up. Caris Williams is also there. You

have Niall Sludden, so they have three or four guns, Tyrone. Is there

enough cutting edge with Derry upfront if McGuckin is withdrawn?

It's a big day for Danny Tallon and Niall Loughlin in particular. I

taught Niall Loughlin in school up until a couple of years ago. Two

young lads. He has shown piles of ability. It's a big day whether they

can get much change out of a very experienced Tyrone full-back line.

If you are looking for something different from Derry today, you

would expect them to have the intensity. It sounds old school, but

get into Tyrone's faces. You would expect that to be different this

year. The team is under Damian Barton, so I would expect them to

get in their faces, maybe even early on. Armagh did it Cavan a couple of

years ago. Maybe that's where Derry need to start today. We will hear

more from you part-time and full-time. We invited clubs from

across the province to get in touch last week to let us know what's

going on at grass roots level. Among those to follow up was the Saint

Paulclub from Belfast. Managed by the man who took Antrim to their

last all hurling final. A man who has dedicated his life to hurling. A

great day out for all. You can get more of that coverage on the BBC

sport Northern Ireland website. And keep in touch through the usual

social media outlets. It's the quarterfinal of the Ulster

championship, a first outing of the summer for the holders, Tyrone. Can

Derry stage an ambush? The match commentary team. We can join Thomas

Niblock. COMMENTATOR: The players led by Enda Lynn hoping for the best

today. Hoping for the victory, but out of the inner core of Derry in

footballers, expectation in the county has perhaps never been lower.

Nobody except one person I met coming into the ground expects Derry

to win today. A siege mentality built for those men on the inside

because Tyrone have shown their class, the defending champions. But

there is something in the air whenever Derry play Tyrone that

gives Derry a chance, something to suggest it won't be as

straightforward as we think it is. Martin McCue is with me and

commentary. It was said in the week that the rivalry no longer exists

between Derry and Tyrone because Derry have fallen so far behind. Any

truth in that? Looking at last year's match, the last five times

they have played, Tyrone have won easily every time they have played.

They have to use that stuff, put it up in the dressing room and get back

to the Derry fight that we knew way back. I remember when I was playing

football, Derry were the hardest team to beat and they always came up

with someone. I remember wanting to play Tyrone as all Ireland

champions. They put everyone behind the ball and won by six points. I

expect Derry to get in their faces today and put some pride back in the

jersey. The disappointing thing is, they are playing at home and they

barely got a cheer when they came out of the field. Tyrone look like

the home team. There doesn't seem to much faith in the Derry team. The

inner core, the red and white jerseys in a huddle before throw in.

If the belief is there, it doesn't matter what everybody thinks. The

finely tuned legs of the Tyrone players. Number 14, Sean Cavanagh,

what a player to still be going so strong but he insists it's his final

season. I saw somebody doing an interview with him and I found out

how many players he has played with. He has had some difference from the

tiny started. A great credit to Tyrone and himself and a great role

model. We will have a moment's reflection because there have been

two deaths in the Derry family in last couple of weeks. Dermot Devlin,

a former chairman, lived in Magherafelt most of his life. He

passed away and was buried on Friday. County chairman between 75

and 77. And Tommy Doherty, the man who played in the 1958 Derry team

against Dublin in the final. Tommy and Dermot will be remembered here

in a moment's silence. A round of applause around Celtic

Park. Hannah Ferguson singing for us. Ben McKinless, number one, he

played with the minors last year, his first year with senior football,

between the sticks. His 14th year as the championship referee, and he

refereed the all Ireland final replay between Dublin and Mayo in

2016. We will need his experience today because when Derry and Tyrone

typically clash, there is generally fireworks. And he knows all about

them. What you said is true. You need leaders on a field. Doesn't

matter what age you are, you have to become a leader, and we know Tyrone

have them in Sean Kavanagh and Peter Harte. Derry have to show leadership

qualities and this is the day to do it. They can already see everybody

moving about. All the different changes. McGuckin at full forward,

going straight to the middle of the field. So has Ciaran McFaul. It's

helter-skelter in terms of who lines up where. It doesn't really matter,

15 against 15, the ball thrown in and Kavanagh takes it. A free for

Derry taken quickly. A free, the referee says yes. We have seen a

tactic, the ball to Bradley. Using his experience to hold off his man

and draw the foul. Very strong upper body and very small on the ground!

Maqueda going over the top of him. Carlus McWilliams, he played sweeper

all year for Derry but has moved forward, but expect him to move back

to play sweeper. Peter Harte, the last time he kicked a ball in the

Ulster championship, it was the winning score in the final against

Donegal last year. His first kick in the Championship of 2017 is one he

would perhaps like to forget. It's something Tyrone need, a natural

free taker. In the late 80s and early 90s Tyrone didn't have a

dedicated free taker to get them over the line. Tyrone like a

clinical free taker to snap them up. Tyrone. Peter Harte shooting off his

left boot, going to the right and wide. That is uncharacteristic for

somebody with his talent. It's not like him. The first chance was an

easy one to put over the bar. It will affect his confidence. Too bad

wides by a quality player. Brendan Rogers charging forward. Ciaran

McFaul to Enda Lynn, the captain and leader of the team driving at the

heart of the Tyrone defence. Brilliant tackling by Kieran

McGeary. He got his hand in. Tyrone straightaway up the field. Conal

McCann, the brother of Tiernan McCann, giving it to the man inside.

Mattie Donnelly, don't expect to see him in the full forward line. Rogers

driving at the Derry defence. Creating some space. He has been

bottled up. Tries the flick to get it into the path of Mattie Donnelly.

A side ball for Derry. Good defending by Derry. We saw great

defending by Kieran McGeary at the other side as well. Very defensive

from both teams, playing with a lot of men behind the ball. Derry on the

attack. Ball in the hands of Benny Heron. He decides to go backwards

giving it to the centre-half forward Niall Loughlin. The fellow club man

of Loughlin, Enda Lynn. 14 behind the ball. Ryan Bell trying to take

on three players but bottled up. Chocs the ball back out. Chrissy

McKaigue. Enda Lynn has found some space. He goes for the score with

the outside of the boot but it doesn't curl in enough. Goes wide.

Derry's first wide. With both teams behind the ball a lot you need to be

able to score from distance. It's important to do that in training.

The other thing you don't want to do is carry the ball into tackles.

Niall Sludden made his Championship debut last year in this same

fixture. A long ball coming in. Brendan Rogers adjudged to have

fouled Sean Cavanagh. A free in from the 30 metre line. Great experience

from Sean Cavanagh. The ball going over their heads. He did really well

to doubt his hand into Brendan Rogers. Needs to be cute. Derry

teams in the past taught a lot of players to have their hands out when

the referee is looking. Sean Cavanagh going to hit this one. A

change of free taker. Kicks from the 13. The umpire's flag goes up. A

point to Derry, Sean Cavanagh with the first score. Looks like Bradley

and Sean Cavanagh, a little and large inside. Looks like Sean

Kavanagh will knock down to Bradley. Well won by McGuckin. Takes the

mark. Derry on the attack. Straightaway comes Conor McAtamney.

Bottled up but gets a free in. Switches the play straightaway.

Ciaran McFaul driving down the right-hand side. Going for an

ambitious shot. It doesn't have the accuracy. Two wides for Derry. Still

a point between the teams. No doubt they have been practising their

long-range kick in. The referee blowing for a short range kickout.

Derry working on a long kick in, but the two shots so far have been

disappointing. Maurice Deegan brings the ball up, asking to players to

come in. Ryan Bell of Derry and, Kavanagh of Tyrone. Tyrone went up

straightaway. Barry Heron three straightaway. For the briefest of

seconds he was through on goal. Maurice Deegan said he travelled.

You can't carry it into the tackle like that. Interesting and Peter

Harte asked what he gave the free four, that his experience.

Conor Meyler weaving his way through the Derry defence. Had a magnificent

game against Derry last year. Man of the Match that day.

Tyrone had it a few minutes ago but now Derry have all 14 players behind

the ball. Colm Cavanagh gives undergoes but doesn't take the

return pass. Instead Bradley tries to slip it inside to Sludden. Shot

down from behind by Mako Tammy. The face tells his own story. He knows

that. You have to be disciplined in the tackle. Put the pressure on the

referee to blow for over tackling. You can't make a tackle like that.

Why make slightly more difficult this time. Further from goal and

outside the D, but in line with the red spot of the crossbar at Celtic

Park. Over it goes. Sean Cavanagh with his 235th appearance for the

Tyrone senior teams. That's some record. He's important. They have

brought a lot of young lads through and it's very important sideline

ball for Tyrone. Conor Meyler kicks it short to Tiernan McCann. Peter

Harte trying to move forward. Gets to Mark Bradley, who has seen a lot

of the ball in the opening stages of the game. Shot from Conal McCann.

You have called it right, Mark Bradley is causing problems. What

he's brilliant at is running off the ball and his ability to make space.

He can make five or six runs off the ball. That's what you need him for.

And he's very unselfish. He has made their last two scores. Danny Heavron

gets his mitts on the ball for the first time. Perhaps they will be

tempted to go for a score here. Instead they leave it to Ryan Bell,

ever a very capable player of scoring from this range. The

Ballinderry club man. A difficult first free. It does have the

distance but lacks a bit of accuracy. It goes right and its

Derry's third wide. All from long range as well. Two from play and one

from that free. The movement of fronts doesn't look good for Derry.

They seem to be taking potshots from distance. Niall Loughlin adjudged to

have taken a foul. Tyrone take it short. Mark Bradley again, tempted

to take on his man. He tries to scoop it in but the referee blows

his whistle. Derry are struggling with Mark Bradley. He dipped his

shoulder. Did enough to get in front of the Derry player. At the very

worst he was going to be found. Time to make a switch with Niall Keenan

coming across to pick him up. Bradley is very small. Sometimes we

say the modern-day game is for the big, physical man. But when a small

man can could put his body in like that, with the vision and pacey has,

this free should go over. Peter Harte knocks it over the bar. The

fourth time in ten minutes Derry have committed a foul inside their

own 45 metre line. Three of the four points Tyrone have have come

Ronan McNamee pops the ball outside. Sludden, a bit of argy-bargy off the

ball. Brennan finds Sludden, who missed much of the league because of

a hamstring injury. Good ball inside. Chopped down again but the

referee says no foul. A third man tackle. Noise from the fans, the

referee says play away. Tyrone win it back with Sludden again at the

heart of things. Peter Harte pops it outside. McGeary at tempted to go

for a score. It's caught by Ben McKinless. First Championship start

at the age of just 19. Niall Loughlin. Strangely very quiet at

Celtic Park. Ciaran McFaul pops it inside.

Chrissy McKaigue. Five passes and Derry haven't made a metre. Perhaps

they will now. Emmett McGuckin. As the dummy and sells it well. ,

McCague, could be tackled. The on running Sean Kavanagh doesn't tackle

him. Derry are patient in their build-up. McGuckin making runs in

the forward line but have sold well by Rory Brennan and Derry give the

ball away. It's good defence from Tyrone. A Derry man is down asking

for help, looks injured. The referee says play away. Colm Cavanagh gives

it back. Conor Meyler with the shot, knew he would be blocked. The ball

is played on. Mark Bradley, so quick on the turn. He gets space for

himself. It's a super score. Brilliant point for Mark Bradley. He

lit up the Tyrone Championship this year. Mickey Harte will be very

happy with that. Derry are struggling to mark him. You fear for

Derry already in this match. They have no system to their play up

front at all. Looking at the Tyrone team. Interestingly half forward

team. Kieran McGeary, Niall Sludden and Conor Meyler, they are causing

problems already. Both men went for the ball and Niall Sludden seems to

have accidentally clipped his ankle. Yellow card given to Kieran McGeary.

Ryan Bell looks in a severe state of pain. The yellow card is for the

late tackle he had early on. That's a black card. Ryan Bell looks in big

trouble. One of the finest underage football is coming through the Derry

system, and he is being lifted on his feet. -- footballers coming

through the Derry system. Derry just stopped him. If that is a third man

tackle... Enda Lynn kind of ran into him as well. The fact the referee

felt it was a third man tackle, but then figuring out he had given the

ball, so they go with a yellow card. The half forward line are causing

problems with their pace. Derry try to make sure they don't give away a

goal. Tyrone on the attack straightaway. Peter Harte operating

at full forward. Back out to Mark Bradley. And he is human!

Mattie Donnelly is such a ferocious tackler. Derry have yet to score.

Perhaps they will now. Mattie Donnelly gave it away. Danny Heavron

trying to weave his way through, chopped down, and it will be a free

Fred Perry. They need to give the crowd a lift. They need to give

everybody a lift. They have had the three shots, they are not happy with

the ball. He probably said, if it is a Derry

free, we will kick the ball out. Derry's top scorer is suspended. 50%

of his scores have come from frees. It has the direction. Hanging in the

air. A good point from Niall Loughlin. Just one point from play

so far. That is a great score. But Tyrone have been the better side.

Their pace is causing a lot of problems.

The referee says there is a foul, and it will be a free. Conal McCann

coming through, Benny Heron held his arm. He started reasonably

impressively today. Has he kicked a point from play as well? What he is

very good at is taking the ball off the shoulder at pace. That is what

you need, with teams getting blanket defence. It is Sean Cavanagh's third

score today. Derry need to get into this game, otherwise it will be over

at half-time. It does not look good for them. You need people who want

the ball, they do not want the ball, they are letting somebody else do

it. The next ten minutes will be important for them, to stay in the

match. That is a great score. That is what

you do, pull out wide, cos teams cover the D, that is a good score.

That is the first long-range point that they have. If there has been

any criticism of Tyrone, they lacked a cutting edge. They had 15 wides

against Mayo, there were five points up against Dublin, with ten or 15

minutes to go, and Dublin one that, or ended up winning a draw. There

has been an accusation, but they are doing well at the moment. They free,

Danny McKeever and protests. He will not change the referee's mind. Total

indiscipline. They will make sure they will not concede a goal, but

they have given away silly frees. They will kick them over the bar.

Brilliant play again by Mattie Donnelly, taking the ball at pace,

that is what is causing the problems. What you said against the

Mayo game, Tyrone always have possession, they have to convert

that into schools. Sean Cavanagh, right footed, he was never going to

miss that. He extends the lead to five. What would you say is Derry's

biggest problem so far? They do not seem to have a system. Individually

they are trying to do it and hoping that it will work out, and they need

people to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Their

indiscipline is terrible so far. Conal McCann doing well to break

down the ball. A free for Tyrone. Niall Sludden, schoolteacher, an

impressive season in 2016. The ball has height and direction.

Two goals between the teams. Brilliant again. Simple enough

football. Put your body on the line, Comcast and got it, laid it off to

his team-mate, Rory Brennan putting pressure on, kicks a good score.

Niall Loughlin and Ronan McNamee the only players in the Tyrone half of

the field. Congested in the Derry half, it has seen most of the

action, most of it in the hands of the Tyrone players. A sideline ball

for Tyrone. He slid in and got it off the deck.

Even though Peter Harte Mrs two easy chances, he has the confidence, he

seems to be able to shrug it off and continue with his normal game. That

is a good sign, mentally strong, which is very important. We do not

want any more of those today. It is all Tyrone so far. Derry have been

disappointing. Get into their faces and put pressure on, but they have

not done it at all. Peter Harte, left footed. It goes wide. You

almost feel bad for bringing it up, but it has come up in the last two

or three years, frees. They do not have a take that they can rely upon.

I would give the left footed ones to Mark Bradley. He is a brilliant free

kick for his club. Take the pressure off Peter Harte, and use him in a

different role, what he is good at. Perhaps they are taking the

responsibility of him. Derry are really struggling to get

the ball inside the Tyrone 45 metre line.

Such is the way of modern-day Gaelic football. Mickey Harte gave a

passionate plea this week of how good a Gaelic football is, and he

thinks people are criticising too much about it. That wide, Enda Lynn

kicked it, but who is trying to block the ball? Mark Bradley. That

is the way it is. The difference in the teams, Tyrone had play that

football, Derry do not know. They are playing at pace, but Derry are

laboured, Assen get back. I think he was fouled, that is a bad

decision. Emmett McGuckin has been relatively

quiet so far. It is a good score from Ciaran

McFaul. It is important to keep the four or five points. That is better

movement. Enda Lynn is the one player who can add the pace, so they

need to get him on the ball. The umpire says it is wide. The kick

out he can very quickly. If you are a frustrated Derry manager on the

sideline and you are trailing by five points and somebody in your

team has plenty of space, the kick out is hit to perfection, but he

picks the ball up off the ground to give away a free... He has given it

because he was not outside the 20 metre line when the ball was kicked.

That is the rule. Another wide. That is their fifth. The last couple of

attacks, Tyrone, they have been too confident. Rory Brennan and Mark

Bradley. That time, Sean Cavanagh. The buzz of anticipation when Enda

Lynn gets the ball. There was a foul, a free for Derry. A chance for

Benny Heron to get his name on the scoresheet. Enda Lynn going in one

direction and another. The tackle comes in, he is brought down, it is

a free. A chance to narrow the gap. Danny Heavron will take it.

A fantastic free. Brilliant, and let's give credit to Enda Lynn. He

has run at Tyrone and cause them to file, and they have kicked a good

score, two good schools. The kick by Ciaran McFaul, and that one, so two

important scores. He gets it. The halfpipe increases

the lead. I know Peter Harte is playing in the forward line, but

Tiernan McCann and Rory Brennan have points, you need scores from there.

That sums up the difference, Tyrone can hit the long-range points, Derry

are missing them. Danny Tallon not able to make it.

Let's go pitch side to Thomas. Tyrone preparing to make a change,

Frank Burns will replace Kieran McGeary. Chrissy McKaigue is picking

up Mattie Donnelly, tracking him, each means you are missing Chrissy

McKaigue in an attacking sense. The replacement is straight on the

field of play. A high tackle, the referee says it

is a free. Brendan Rodgers is very comfortable in possession.

Tyrone just look better. Two balls that Derry try to kick. Work the

hand pass. This is where they are dangerous, breaking at speed. That

one drops short. Mattie Donnelly is such a committed

defender, a fabulous player. The referee says it is a free the

Derry. Derry had to work hard to get it. I blame Tyrone, they have taken

three potshots. Taking the wrong option. They are getting a bit

overconfident. You have to put the team away, but Derry are getting

scores of it. Earlier on, they were taking the right options, giving the

ball to Mark Bradley, but they. Doing that. Sometimes the players

think, I will kick a point here. This is a critical time for Derry.

If they keep in touch, there will still be a game at half-time, but if

Tyrone bank one into the net, that could be curtains. We saw that last

week in Donegal, Antrim were going OK, but then in the final five

minutes the game was lost. This is difficult for Benny Heron. It goes

wide. Sometimes they are better kicked out of your hands, because

you can gain a couple of yards. He is good off the ground, that was

disappointing. Tyrone too well to regain

possession. Mark Bradley has been the go to man

during the first half an hour. The referee says it is a free. Niall

Keenan is a superb young footballer, and he is able to stick with him and

stay there, but despite their best efforts, Mark Bradley almost seems

on Mark Noble. Niall Keenan did really well the. He will be

disappointed. It is hard to see the Derry numbers. They have made the

switch we talked about, they have put Niall Keenan across, he is doing

well. Mark Bradley loves the solo dummy, he is the one player who

keeps doing it. It is hard to do it in the modern game.

Do not know how long it is since Tyrone scored, but they have gone

off the boil a bit. It is their sixth wide. They are well in control

of the game as it approaches half-time.

Derry having more success over the far side.

Tyrone making it so difficult for Derry to make any kind of space.

That is three times they have kicked stupid balls M. Derry try to force

it, which is bad news against Tyrone's event.

The referee says it is a camera grow. Ciaran McFaul and Carlos

McWilliams remonstrating with the referee. But the free has been

given. Two minutes of added time. He has the hand up, the high tackle.

You have to keep your hands down. You make a high tackle, you make it

easy for the referee. The yellow card. Tyrone are getting away with

short kick out. Derry should push up on them and get more belief, they

did not show belief earlier. When Tyrone break, they are dangerous. A

free for Tyrone. Over the bar. Five points for Sean

Cavanagh, Derry's eight foul inside their own 45 metre line, and they

have been punished. That sums it up. Derry, their discipline, five points

from Sean Cavanagh, and they could have had more from frees.

Tyrone Flood everybody back. Well taken by Conor McAtamney. The

goalkeeper misses it. Danny Tallon went in to get a hand on it. Enda

Lynn is chopped down it will be a free for Derry. The talk about

blanket defences, with players running at them, the tackle has

gone. Teams are struggling to tackle. If you get a one-on-one

situation, we have seen it today, there has been scoring from frees

given away. You tell the junk player, where you

will take it, and go through all four yards ahead. The half-time

whistle has been blown, it does not seem like a Championship game.

Pedestrian at times, but Tyrone have their noses in front. Derry lack

confidence and belief. Disappointing, they are not running

to the dressing room, they are taking up a jog. You should care to

the dressing room, get sorted out. Tyrone have been the better team.

Mark Bradley the best player in the first half. It is looking like an

easy enough victory for Tyrone. You improved as the half went on. It

took us a while to get going, but once we started to run at them, and

force them into the tackles, we created mayhem. The tackle at the

other end is a source of concern. With do not want to give away so

many frees. Mark Bradley cause you problems early on. Yes, Niall Keenan

is on there now, he has done a good job. We need more of that throughout

the field, engage with the tackle. How important is it to have pace in

attack? You were started to get the rewards, especially with Enda Lynn

and Ciaran McFaul. We went to lateral and we started to go across

the field and back, and that lets them get their shield up. We need

more of that, need to get Danny Tallon on the ball, give him the

platform. If that one of the big concerns? So much excitement from

him, but he has not isolated at times. It is because we are dropping

men back. He will get on the ball in the second-half when it opens up,

and will see some scoring from him. Will there be belief in the dressing

room that you can turn around the 5-point deficit? I think so, the

guys are positive. Damien will make sure they are. Plenty to discuss in

the studio. Putting a positive spin on it. Our

mystery player, some said it was too easy last week, but this week we

have gone back to black and white. It has be flummoxed, but let us

know, we will reveal all before the second half starts. Not a clue, I

thought it was John Deere! No bad jokes, I promise! A lot of you have

been getting in touch, we will go over the first half during

half-time. Let's begin with Tyrone, notwithstanding that Sean Cavanagh

took the frees, some fine scoring from play also, a lot of boys. We

talked about the ability of the middle eight, they have all been

effective. They have dominated in that area.

They do not just rely on the mid-late. In Mark Bradley they have

a good target man. He has been excellent. They just have that bit

more quality. They are playing as a team. Some great passages of play

through the middle. Well rehearsed. The fast hands to create shots for

the players at pace, and they are cutting through Derry at will. If

you of your comment, Derry to give Tyrone a scare, I am not sure! Pete

is on fashion watch, he says Tyrone rocking their new socks. Another

person says, I hope the referee does not steal the teams' thunder. How do

you feel he has performed? It has not been great. We normally prefix

this stuff when we talk about referees by saying that it is a

difficult game. He got this wrong? Mark Bradley has done well. He has

bought it. It is harmless. We normally say it is a difficult game

to referee, but this game has not been particularly. The thing that

bothers me about that incident, there are three things wrong, he

waves play on, he goes back to say it is a third man tackle, and gives

him a yellow card. The black cod is there, let's implemented. I do not

think there was a hell of a lot in it. For a game that has not come to

life yet, it is not the usual cut and thrust, imagine if the game was

close with five minutes to go, it is those little things. Tyrone have got

nine free kicks inside 45 metre line. It is a long time since they

have got that many in a match. For Derry to have any chance, they need

everything to go in their favour. I talked about how I wanted very to be

physical, but how can you be physical if the referee is going to

give the soft frees? We called the majority of them in real-time.

Derry's biggest problem is they need to come and attack Tyrone from the

middle of the field, rather than letting them into the 45. If they

are printing their line out a bit, no harm being defensive, but bring

the line out, if they create a free situation, it is not capable. They

will kick 40, 50% of them. We will go pitch side, is Emmett McGuckin

working midfield? Thomas, you have found somebody down there.

We taught him to think into sandwiches in the stands, a

different role now, having a nice time now. Happy with the decision? I

think the time had come, with injuries. I tried my best to get up

to that level again, but it was not to be. Watching the game today, not

to say that it isn't difficult, but I am happy with my decision, and in

the build up this morning you wish you were there, but I am happy now

that I am sitting back with my wee girl and discussing what is going

on. Are you still in a Tyrone WhatsApp

group? I quickly left. No time to get messages up when I'm in the gym.

In terms of the Tyrone first half performance, dominated possession

and chances, but only five points ahead on the scoreboard. The shot

selection per towards the end of the half, how much will it concern you

in the dressing room? They had a couple of nice easy frees to settle

themselves into the game. Tyrone were more efficient going forward.

Breaking through with numbers and quick hands and creating pockets for

the shots. In comparison to Derry coming forward, they were more

lethargic. They weren't coming with numbers and Tyrone defending made

their job easy. Tyrone have slacked off a bit towards the end of the

half. Five points, Tyrone could be disappointed, they will feel they

could be further ahead. Mark Bradley's nickname is sparky. He's

certainly providing that spark with his contribution on and off the

ball. He's been watched running off the ball. He's a bit like McGuigan.

Reading the space and invading it where he needs to be. Not so much

always getting the ball but creating pockets for the half forwards and

halfbacks and midfielders to run onto. He's never happy with the one

run, he makes continuous ones and it's a headache for the Derry

defence. You have played with the likes of Canada, Murray and O'Neill.

So much talk about Tyrone having a marquee forward who can grab for

five per game and grab goal. There are a lot of younger fellas coming

in and it's difficult to compare them. The likes of Stephen O'Neill,

McGuigan, these are the among the greatest players to play the game. I

think in time these boys will will get their opportunity. They are

building themselves up and it will come for them eventually. Best

player you played with and best you played against? Stephen O'Neill and

Peter Cameron for his movement off the ball. And Colin Cooper for his

vision of the ball for who I played against. Let's hope McGuigan hasn't

taken all the sandwiches. STUDIO: Comparisons across generations are a

little invidious, but we can say big Joe was a good one with two or

Irelands to his name. Is the withdrawn role working today? It

isn't. He has played full forward in the last three or four years and

that hasn't worked either so they decided to try some different. He is

not known for his mobility, he's a good ball player. Derry occasionally

flattered to deceive. We can look at a couple of the scores. Loughlin

particularly impressive. Enda Lynn has spotted... They have a load of

space down the left-hand side all the time. This time for a change

instead of shuffling the ball across, Loughlin takes it on himself

and has a go. This is another great point from Ciaran McFaul. He was

continuously getting forward into those positions but refused to

shadow three or four times. When you are in that opportunity and you are

25, 30 yards from goal, you have to have a pop. Danny Heavron Komula

said he would nail that long-distance. I picked him as my

one to watch before the game. He kicks scores regularly in club

football. Derry are relying on wonder points. They are far too

lateral. Derry had the ball for a minute throwing the ball sideways.

Tyrone injected pace down the field. That is happening far too often.

Some of you watching a none too impressed with what's on offer.

Ciaran Fleming says, this is utter garbage. Another view, this is

absolute poison. Are we peddling something of a Lineham? Has Gaelic

football become very defensive and just a little staid? This man

doesn't think so. Life has moved on. People don't drive Ford Anglia cars

any more. The game moves on as well. We have to take ourselves out of the

past and live in the present and accept this is the best at the

minute. In time it will change and people will move it to a different

place and the game will evolve in a different direction. We shouldn't

listen to those people who keep saying things, even though they say

it with conviction. Saying something with conviction doesn't make it

right. I rather suspected Ciaran Fleming and our other viewers saying

it was poison were saying it with conviction. Are you in the Mickey

Harte camp or the poison camp? I'm somewhere in the middle. Some of the

Gaelic football on offer nowadays is really good at some of it not so

good. If you are addicted ago example of modern-day football, have

a look at today's game. The first 45 minutes is an encapsulation of what

we see every week. One team who is willing to go forward, who have a

bit of cohesion about them, who are defensively sound and able to break

quickly. And the other team seem to be making it up as they go along. We

will broaden the discussion post match into the state of the modern

game, but in brief, how do you feel? They will play how they see fit. He

might think he doesn't have the resources of other teams, so they

have to set up in a certain way. Tyrone play that game quite well.

The problem is, Derry are trying to mirror that today and they can't do

it. There is almost a two tier system in Ulster now with the top

three teams, Thai room, Monaghan and Donegal. -- Tyrone, Monaghan and

Donegal. We didn't expect a huge amount from the two games last week.

They were competitive up until half-time and then that bit more

quality. The efficiency of those better teams when they go forward,

and the opportunities they take and the right options they take, and we

consistently see it with the teams plying their trade in divisions two

and three and four who get themselves into a

and three and four who get to win the game, and they are not

able to do it because they haven't been playing at the top level.

Tyrone under pressure every week when they play in the league. You

can see that. They can take the right options more times than not.

Let me develop that point. You have a player, the likes of Chrissy

McKaigue out there, who if you were handing out plaudits for Player of

the Year at club level, you would be in that conversation, he can

dominate right throughout, but how can he be peripheral in a match like

this? It's a totally different game. He dominates in club football when

he has a chance to push forward and kick scores. His club team have a

system, but Derry today don't have one. They haven't had much time to

work with what they are doing. But Chrissy has been a peripheral figure

today. I wanted to reveal our mystery player. Oisin McConville

seems to know who it is. There is the John Deere, and there is Down's

Brendan McArdle looking rather resplendent. Willie Quinn was the

first person to get it right. They credit to you. I think the teams are

coming out. You predicted ten points in the newspaper for Tyrone. Are you

sticking with that? It could even be more. Derry could bring something

different in this second half, and they need to. Let's go back to

Martin McCue and Thomas Niblock in commentary. COMMENTATOR: There is

Mickey Harte, his 15th year as the Championship, senior Championship

for Tyrone. Sean Cavanagh has worn the white and red shirt more than

any other player. What Dugarry have to do, in a nutshell? If there's one

thing that they could improve upon to make a difference, what is it? We

always said the third quarter is a winning quarter. It's an important

one for them. They need to win the throw and get the ball through.

Kieran McGeary being taken. He wasn't injured, he picked up a

yellow card in the first half. Mickey Harte has made that decision

to pull him because he was working on a hard-working midfield. Mark

Bradley walking to the Derry goalkeeper, knocking him to the

ground to put some pressure on. Certainly packed a punch in the

first half. One substitution in the Tyrone team with Ronan McNabb,

number 22, coming on. Conor Meyler has gone off. We're off and running

in the second half. The ball into the field of play and straightaway

Tyrone and Niall Sludden win the ball and the break. The referee says

Noel arm was dragging him down. Martin McCue, here's what happened.

What did you make of it? Not a lot to it, just getting to know each

other. Giving the big and a push and going to ground. We have seen a lot

worse than that. Definitely in the past in Ulster Championship matches.

Padraig Hampsey, a former Ulster championship boxer. Maybe he can

bring some fight. A moment of perfection. Derry coming away on the

counterattack. Niall Keenan attacking up the field. Still going.

Enda Lynn passes to Ciaran McFaul. Niall Keenan looking for help. A bit

of space. Brilliant play from the quarterback. He is an accomplished

footballer. The Kasold Dawson man is marking one. The field and also

doing well at the front. Brilliant play. He was given the job to mark

Mark Bradley. Nick Williams the sweeper dropped back on Mark Bradley

to cover him. It's lovely to see a cornerback doing so well. That's

what Derry need to do. Fantastic young footballer, Niall Keenan. Had

a chemical engineering exam this week. He's at Queens University. He

is a decent footballer. The past moving outside to Sean Cavanagh. He

can do a dummy very easily. Going backwards at the same time. McCann

has already scored one, will he go for another. He goes the other way

and passes it back. Niall Sludden goes one way, then the other.

McAtamney keeping a close eye on him. Kicked backwards to Colin

Kavanagh. -- Colm Cavanagh. And now Sean Cavanagh with loads of room.

It's over the bar. We talk about this long-range kick in. It's very

hard for Brendan Rogers to do anything with it. That's leadership.

What a score when they were just knocking the ball around. He kicks

his first point from play today. His first point from play but his sixth

in toto. Sean Cavanagh hitting more than 50% of Tyrone's scores. Not bad

for a man who will retire at the end of the season. Barry Heron charging

forward. Barry Heron trying to give it inside to Enda Lynn who finds

some space. He goes for the point instead of the goal. In any other

circumstance you would say it's the right choice, but when you are

losing to the level Derry are at the minutes, should he have to goal? It

should have passed to Niall Loughlin to his left. Maybe taken the ball

back. Niall Loughlin coming into the picture there. If you get that goal

chance, and Enda Lynn has been Derry's best player.

Ronan McNamee kicks back inside to Bradley. Bradley doesn't need all

that space to be affected, but he hits wide. His right isn't as good

as his left. It will be a goal kick, taken quickly, and Derry come out of

their own 45 metre line. Brendan Rogers, his attacking capabilities

have been restricted. Trying to march on Cavanagh. Heavron is

chopped down from behind. Did well to win a free. I just think they

should, Danny Heavron, whoever takes it, should kick with the left foot

and take it out of his hands. The shoulder from Conor McAtamney. The

run forward from Niall Keenan has definitely lifted Derry. Kick this

ball over the bar and it's back to a 3-point game. A free for Derry taken

off the ground with Benny Heron. 26 years of age. He missed one in the

first. This is easier, close to goal, kicked left footed and a good

score. Derry 8-11 Tyrone. They have outscored Tyrone 3-1 since

half-time. See the way they have pushed up on the kickouts. We talked

about it. They haven't given Tyrone Short kickouts, they make them go

long, and that's a good tactical move. The referee has stopped play

and is taking a note of someone. If in doubt, book them both, that's

what normally happens. Cavanagh and McGuckin, a yellow card each.

Cavanagh was trying to split the midfielders. McGuckin saying he

wasn't allowing it. The ball kicked away out to that side. Conal McCann

on his Championship debut, having a massive impact on the game. If Conal

McCann isn't having a game we expecting to have, they need him in

midfield. The on road in Padraig Hampsey. Peter Harte going

backwards. Finding Sean Cavanagh. The umpire says it's gone wide.

Definitely a better Derry team in this second half. Tyrone will now

push upon the kickouts as well. Do you give Short kickouts or make the

call to push up. McAtamney wins it. Takes the mark. Tyrone, within

seconds, everybody straight back, making it difficult for Derry to

find any kind of space. McAtamney. Will he go for the score? It's high

and the keeper goes for it, Morgan punches it away. Taking no chances,

getting it out of danger. This man causes Derry all sorts of danger,

Peter Harte, playing get to Ronan McNabb, and there is Niall Sludden.

Finds Bradley with Keane and on his back. Brilliant defending from the

Kasold Dawson man. Interceptions like that can give the crowd a real

lift. Enda Lynn glides his way into the Tyrone half of the field. He

could do with a score. The referee says no file. Morgan wins it outside

his box. Delivers the pass. Terrible options for Derry going forward.

Hampsey chopped down from behind. Gives it to Peter Harte. Delicate

pass to the path of Donnelly. Thought about giving it to McNabb.

Chrissy McKaigue. Maybe Donnelly has thrown a punch and Chrissy McKaigue,

I don't know what the land is mine has seen below us. -- don't know

what the linesman has seen below us. The match referee, you can see in

the stadium, he is making some connection with this linesman. He's

talking to someone. He has prevented the Derry goalkeeper from hitting

the play. Did Mattie Donnelly smack Chrissy McKaigue? Let's look at it.

I saw down below me the two of them pushing and banging into each other.

He caught Chrissy McKaigue. Can't really see it. He has punched Mattie

Donnelly. Mattie Donnelly punched on the left-hand side of your screen.

Hard to believe the linesman on this side didn't see it. Lucky for Mattie

Donnelly. The referee knew there was something up. Neither umpire saw it.

If they don't see it, they can't give it.

Padraig Hampsey, the quarterback, going for the

. Enda Lynn moving forward at pace. Benny Heron with the outside of the

left foot goes for it. Unable to keep it in play. They could be level

at this stage. Three terrible options. Corner from McAtamney. Here

is the chance again. Mattie Donnelly punches and swipes back. It happened

right down below us. It's not like Mattie Donnelly, he's not that type

of player. It's a great battle out on a field between the two of them.

Brendan Rogers does well. Running out of options. He goes by Burns.

Still going. He's the full-back. Dispossessed, but the referee blows

the whistle. He was lucky to get the free. Derry are really on top now,

but they need to take the right option. They said in the studio at

half-time, pick the right option and get the right people on the ball.

They took the right options by kicking the ball when they should

have laid it off. The free kick is taken 30 yards backwards, such is

the methods of modern-day football. McAtamney gives it to Ryan Bell. The

players look at one another and it goes wide. That is the fourth in a

row. Just taking the wrong option. Tyrone could go up the field and

score a point. Derry hitting eight wides but Tyrone have picked one

more, on nine. McNabb sliding his way forward. The referee says getup.

Passes outside. Frank Burns wins it. Sludden finds him. Chance on the

Tyrone goal. Rebound, great save from Keenan. The referee says it's

free. A lot of people thought he touched it on the ground. A little

bit of pushing and shoving. Ben McKinless was in the middle of it.

Has he given a free out for a freak in from the 30 metre line? I think

it's from the 45. Remember the goal he scored against Dublin? Brilliant

save on the line. Did really well. Niall Keenan has been brilliant

today as well. If he doesn't fancy himself as a cornerback, he would

make a great goalkeeper. Brilliant save. Blocked well by McKinless, but

you would have thought he definitely scores from the rebound but

straightaway Keenan gets his hand to it. It was bundled over the line,

it's a point for Tyrone, but it could have been three. Niall Keenan

gets a point at one end. The three in the full-back Lane, that's the

way it is. We've had a far better second half, more exciting so far.

Free for Tyrone from the 45. Peter Harte looking at the ball. Mark

Lynch comes on as substitute. He replaces Ryan Bell. For those

thinking why Mark Lynch isn't playing, he picked up an injury and

was struggling to be fit. Damian Barton has made the decision that he

is 20 minutes in and a big boost for Derry. A big boost to have him. We

know how good he is at taking the ball at pace and running at people.

Get the ball to Enda Lynn and run at people and Ciaran McFaul. Getting a

wee bit overconfident, the wrong players were taking responsibility.

Peter Harte going for the score and it's over the crossbar. You have to

admire his bottle. He's probably guilty of missing two frees a month.

But he still has the mental capability to take that and hit 45.

That's a brilliant point at this stage. Tyrone needed somebody to

step up and that was a brilliant kick. That score pressing the pause

button on Derry. Four points is again the margin. McAtamney. They

wind is in their sales. The best position in the game just after

half-time. Emmett McGuckin goes between three Tyrone players. The

referee says no free. Tyrone come away with it. There are no Tyrone

players inside the Derry 45. But there is one now with Frank Burns

trying to make it. Good tackle, but the referee says the second one was

illegal. Free for Tyrone. We can see the ankle of Ryan Bell, looking in a

fair degree of discomfort. Loughlin is the man giving away the free.

Let's look at it again. Is that a free? Going to ground, was holding

him down on the ground, holding Frank Burns down on the ground. We

have a lot of forwards. We talk about getting your hands in. On the

ground, keep your body over them, and keep your hands in to make the

tackle. Sean Kavanagh kicked a point from play from further out. Sean

Cavanagh going for another score. Then is it in to perfection. When

you're in trouble you call on Peter Harte and Sean Kavanagh, and that's

exactly what has happened. Five points between the teams. Another

Tyrone substitute coming on. McCurry. The kick out is straight

into the crowd. Just those couple of minutes, the gold chance. The Sean

Kavanagh points just those few minutes of dominance and Tyrone

effectively killed off the competition. Players are taking the

wrong option. You have to work the 1-2. Doesn't matter who gets the

score. Don Poli taken off and on. Darren McCurry with the score. His

first touch results in a point. Six points is the margin. Looks like

it's all over. We are at a stage where discipline is important in the

match. Vines McKaigue. People saying he was inside the 21 so it should be

free, but that's not the rule any more.

Danny Tallon, he has been relatively quiet on his Championship debut.

Does well to pick out Ciaran McFaul. Four Tyrone players surrounding him,

a blizzard of white jerseys. Mattie Donnelly picks up the pieces and

Tyrone built from the back again. Sludden is tackled. Looking for

somebody ahead of him. There is nobody. Frank Burns finds Sean

Cavanagh, and Cavanagh thought about the dummy. Breezes past Enda Lynn.

Tackled by three Derry players. The referee says the getup. Derry are

perhaps fortunate. Danny Tallon, 21 years of age. Great excitement

within a county of his talents and perhaps where he can go in the red

and white jersey. Mark Lynch trying to take on his man. Lynch goes for

the shot and snaps. Bounces in front of the goalkeeper. Tyrone possession

yet again. Another Tyrone player, another

substitute, Ronan McNabb. Darren McCurry, another substitute. Tyrone

really showing the armoury they have. Fantastic substitutes bench.

Most players perhaps starting for other counties. Frank Burns gives it

away. Does well to win it back. Good tackling from Niall Keenan again.

Keenan is down. He's one of a number of U21 players. Derry made the

Ulster U21 final this year. Ben McKinless, Conor McGrogan, a lot of

young talent coming through at Derry. Frank Burns, the substitute

has been black carded. Tyrone reshuffling. We will see who comes

on. Frank Burns goes down for it. Tackle from McKaigue. We saw it last

week. And we have seen it again today, just a bit of temptation

proving too difficult to say no. Automatic reaction to do that,

Thomas, but the thing with the black card, it's OK for these teams to

pick up black cards, but for the small teams, it's more of a problem.

The referee says no, he dived. He's blown the whistle. Niall Loughlin is

saying, surely that's a free in. The referee signalling it's a dive.

Let's look again. Loughlin going for it. I think Ronan McNabb going for

the ball, but he seemed to grab the foot of Niall Loughlin.

We will follow the play. Damian Barton will be extremely frustrated

with that. It has happened too often today. Five or six players around

the player. It is like the old Tyrone. David Mulgrew comes on for

Tyrone. One of the Tyrone players down. Let's look at it again.

Tackled from behind, Ronan McNamee. McNamee goes down holding his face.

There is the tackle from Mark Lynch. You can just see his last tackle did

connect with the head of Ronan McNamee. It is a free to Derry.

Derry need this score. They haven't scored in 15 minutes. The players

have taken the wrong option. Derry needed to work on their tackling.

Shane McGuigan comes on wearing number 18. He replaces Danny talent.

Free taken quickly. Derry in possession. Hereford takes a cold

tap. -- Heavron. It is so difficult for Derry to make any kind of space.

Perhaps fortunate to get that free. They were. The referees are on about

diving. That is a decision that has been made in Croke Park that players

are diving. He put up his hands for diving. This was an area incident.

Teams need to be ready for that. They have made that decision this

year that they would be very strict on that. Making a call if the player

dives. A chance to narrow the gap. Left footed. He snatches at it. And

it goes wide. And people talk about Gaelic football, how much it has

moved on. How fit and skilled the players are. You wouldn't have seen

that in the 90s, the free taking from both teams. The difference

today is they don't have much practice. You had a free taker back

in the 90s to practised every day of the week. Tyrone running at the

Derry duck defence. -- Derry. David Mulgrew.

Danny Heavron moving inside. Tackled from behind. No free. Again a Derry

player is stripped of the ball. Tyrone to their credit have made it

remarkably difficult for Derry. The minute a player -- the first player

doesn't get the pond, the second one does. When Derry showed some danger,

they improved their performance. David Mulgrew kicked the last point.

There is another sob. That is what you need. -- substitute.

Chrissy McKaigue. Enda Lynn trying to take on his man. It's the post.

It goes wide. -- it hit the post. Whatever atmosphere there was at the

beginning of the second half has been pretty much extinguished. It is

an 8-point game. The game is pretty much over. They had that chance.

When you get the chance, you have to take it. Free taking is becoming

massive. We look at Dublin and Kerry. Dean Rock came in and made

the difference. They play him all the time because his free kicks are

so important. Derry's full-forward line has scored between them one

point. And that came from a free kick. That tells its own story. The

referee says that was a foul. He has played in every league game. We have

another Tyrone substitution. Declan McKenna on. His arrival is imminent.

In the meantime there is going to be a Derry free kick. Mickey Harte's

50th championship year. At the start of every season he does believe that

Tyrone can go and win the all Ireland. This is his 26 year

managing Tyrone teams. A quarter of a century. It is unbelievable to

have that energy, hunger, which is the big word. With most managers,

the hunger grows. Look at him. What Tyrone football means to him. What

he has given to Tyrone football. Sometimes you don't realise how good

a man is until he is gone away. And then you realise it. The mistakes he

made. The ball and over the bar. Eight different Tyrone scorers. That

is what you need. Tyrone on the break. Six handpass is in 15

seconds. Over the bar it goes. People I've talked about Tiernan

McCann and everything he does. But his brother, he didn't play much of

the league. People were surprised he was starting. People didn't think he

would start. But he has certainly made an impact. A dream debut.

Brilliant debut. He has shown his ability to play at this level. He

has got the temperament. Mark Lynch went for the shot. Dropped short.

Nine points to 17. Tyrone on the attack.

Colm Kavanagh switched play. Mattie Donnelly... The fist pump suggests

it is good. It is good. Declan McClure gets his score. Double

substitution for Derry. Yeah. Just giving fellows games now at this

stage. Ehmer deadlock and going off. -- Emmett McGuckin. Couple of

changes for Derry. Michael McEvoy came on. Sean Cavanagh, as you may

have noticed, has been taken off. The chants of another score. The

goalkeeper did very well. He made contact with the ball on the

crossbar. Derry, away with it. Very quiet in Celtic Park. Gavin O'Neill

skipping down the left-hand side. Derry picks up the pieces.

McWilliams is filed. It will be a free kick to Derry. Other than the

week period we had at the beginning of the second half, it has been a

disappointing match. And it has been a disappointing start to the Ulster

championship. Three games and the margins of victory in double digits.

There is a gap in Ulster at the minute. Hopefully we will see

something next Sunday in Armagh. Next Sunday may be the start of the

Ulster championship for real. Tyrone have never beaten Derry three times

in a rowing championship football. You get the feeling with players

like that to come off the bench, they would do today. Darryl Macari

with his third point. I think it is the orange boots making the

difference. Three great scores. In the Monaghan and Fermanagh macro

game Owen Duffy kicked three points off the bench. It is important to

have a squad. Tyrone so good at gobbling up the

Derry jerseys. Tyrone just too good. Look at that for a pass. Peter

Harte. Nobody saw him coming. The angle is acute. That was to acute.

Niall Keenan for Derry. He has been the Derry player that has kept

going. Most counties in Ireland would like to have him. It is

disappointed for a proud county with brilliant club football. It will be

a free kick. Four minutes of normal time remaining. Ten points between

the teams. Tyrone lost their final three games in the league. They will

not realistically lose this one today. Tyrone haven't won a game

away from home this year. Damian Barton has seen and done it. Played

in the 1993 team that won the all Ireland. You would have played him

many times. Defeats like this will hurt. They have two. When he was

playing against Tyrone he was really up for that match. Just the way

things have changed, footballers have changed. It is different now.

Damien is bobbing in a big effort. People will tell you how good a club

manager he was. When players are not available, it is not easy on the

manager. Colm Kavanagh skips is way away to the full-back line. Tyrone

are flying. He has the ambition to go from

distance. It goes wide. Another substitute for Derry. It is Conor

Neven, the Ballon Derry man. Derry's starting team today, every single

player is from South Derry. Not one from North Derry. From that point of

view it is disappointing. One thing about Derry from when I played

against them, the pride is on them to wear the jersey. When I took over

Cavan in 1997, sorry, 1995, the first thing I did was ring Miki

Maurin and bring him for a challenge game. -- Nicky Morgan. I think it

was this Day 24 years ago we had a brilliant game year. The best game

of football I have ever watched. It was between Down and Derry. Down won

a brilliant game of football. It is disappointing to see where Derry are

at. Damian Barton would have been playing that day. Pete McGrath

against the late Eamon Coleman. That was my first day working with the

BBC. What a game of football. People say about the change of football,

but I don't think we will ever see a game like that. The talent on both

sides. If we went back to that time, I would say both teams would have

ended up meeting in the all Ireland final. To Rome will go through to

the Ulster championship semifinal where they have the small matter of

meeting Dhoni golf. What a game that should be. Derry go into the

qualifiers. -- Donegal. Nine points the deficit. Six points from play

Derry scored. It is disappointed. -- disappointing. Work the ball up, get

it into the full-forward. It will be a free kick to Tyrone. A chance once

again to put double digits between the teams. And you can see many

supporters leaving the ground. They have seen enough. Presumably most of

them Derry supporters. Alresford Tyrone, maybe their adventure is

only starting. -- as for Tyrone. For people who don't know who he is, he

has scored three goals and 14 points for his club against Strabane this

year. If he was furred Derry, he

definitely wouldn't be on the bench! -- for Derry. Gavin O'Neill... That

was an ambitious shot. Mark Lynch throws it back. Frustration. It just

wasn't into the hands of McFall. To roam pic up the pieces. Mattie

Donnelly... Rory Brennan. He goes one way, then another. Almost

teasing. Tiernan McCann... Ronan McNamee.

Send us your thoughts and opinions. What have you made of Derry? What

have you made of Tyrone? Do send in your comments. Let us know what you

think. Derry on the attack. Enda Lynn skipping his way through. It

just wasn't what he tried to do. From a Derry point of view, players

not available, say they won't give the commitment. It is everyday. It

is full-time. Other teams are prepared to do it. Another score.

Brennan is a man people are talking about in Tyrone. He scored 3-14 in

one match for his club. Many thought he would start today. That sums it

up. He kicked the other point with his left foot. You need the two

feed. It makes a difference when you are under pressure. That was white.

It is great for Mickey Harte to have the luxury of taking those players

off. The big plus today is: McCann in the middle of the field. -- Colm

Kavanagh. That is a big plus for Tyrone. 22 points they have scored.

Derry very disappointed. Niall Keenan is a big player for the

future. Handshakes from the managers. Mickey Harte's season only

just beginning. Derry within a kick of the ball of making the

quarterfinals last year. As for Mickey Harte, defending the Ulster

championship. He is over the first hurdle. Tyrone into the semifinal.

They will play Donegal. Alresford Derry, it is the qualifiers.

Martin McCue, just briefly. What have you made of it all are Derry

took the wrong options at the start of the second half. To Rome knew

they were under pressure. They hoped the anti-. -- Tyrone. Great

performance all round. Disappointing from Derry. There is no point in

blaming anybody. The players are doing their best. It is to everybody

in Derry to take a look at it. Derry teams never lie down. Looking good

for Tyrone going forward. Martin, thank you. Tyrone in the semifinal.

Derry go to the qualifiers. Thank you very much. Liam Skelly has

been in touch. He says, a walkover. Tyrone and then the goal still in

first gear. Let's go pitch side. Colum McCann, congratulations. Oh

please where you with your performance? I was relatively

pleased. Maybe didn't do a few things 100% right. But I'm pretty

impressed with how I played. I'm just happy for the team. It is a

selfless game and I'm happy for that. Double scores. How would you

assess the performance overall? There are plenty of things to work

on. Maybe shot selection. I think we had 16 chances in the first-half and

scored ten. A few things to on. Scoring 20 points is a decent

turnout. We are happy to get into the next round. Tyrone were cruising

in the first-half and Derry seemed to get better. How important was it

to keep your composure? Every team has their purple patch, I suppose.

We came out of the box of flying. Derry came back into it. At

half-time we just said, keep getting the points and we will stay ahead of

them. They're coming back into it in the first half. It is important to

nip that in the bud. What did Mickey Harte say to you? It is hard to know

what he said, to be honest. I can't remember. I have been on the panel

for three years. I probably did not play as much as I wanted to. I have

kept on. He showed his faith in me by picking me. Hopefully he will the

next day as well. Thank you. I know there were honourable

mentions for Niall Sludden and Colm Kavanagh. Ultimately you have opted

for Conall McCann. He has been threatening to break into the

Toronto for a number of years. On the back of what he has done at club

level, he has been able to take that momentum into the league and into

the championship. Essentially this is what he will be judged on. How he

does in championship football. Today he was excellent in every facet of

the game. He kicked their point of his right and his left. He wasn't

afraid to demand the ball. He was a great link between defence and

attack. He kicked two nice points on the day as well. Mickey Harte throws

him in and he performs. You see the strength of the panel. They kicked

seven points off the bench today. That is something Derry didn't have.

Paddy was lamenting the first-half. Derry did come out and have a go.

They did. We thought it was game on. I suppose they thought, they got to

a point where they thought, let's lifted a little bit. Cornerback with

a dummy solo, tapping the ball over the bar. Niall Keenan. We don't see

that too often. I discourage all cornerbacks from attempting this

ever again but you have to give him credit.

You would probably say he was their best player on the day. In the

second happy was exceptional. That was the Enda Lynn chance. I goal

even at that stage, if they were going to get themselves back into

the game, that is what they needed. They had another chance after that.

That would have made things interesting. We had a pretty

forensic look at the referee at half-time. But the Mattie Donnelly

incident with Chrissy McKaigue. It struck me that Martin McNally was

perfectly positioned. Should it have been a red card?

Martin McNally looked as if he was looking straight at the incident. It

is clear that Mattie Donnelly strikes Justin MacCaig. If that is

the case... The linesman's eyes are on it and he says nothing. The

referee has to rely on him as his witness, no? Sometimes the big teams

get the benefit of the call. I think there is some bad blood between the

two from last year. Chrissy McKaigue was sent off last year. Doesn't

matter whether you're frightened to make the calls. Rules are rules.

Against bigger players, sometimes they get the benefit of the doubt.

That is something the committee may have a look at. It wasn't dealt with

on the day. Us looking at the pictures, can you conclusively say

it was a point in the mouth? It is a difficult one. -- punch. If Tyrone

defender that, they would be able to get off. From what we saw it was a

clear enough strike. At that stage Derry were in the game. We're good

to hear from Mickey Harte. Congratulations. Into the

semifinals. What were the most pleasing aspect? I suppose the fact

we hit our targets in terms of the schools we wanted to get in each

half. We managed that. We had to weather the storm at the start of

the second half and hung in there until we got control of the game

again. The fact you get 21 points is pleasing. Did you expect Derry at

half-time to increase things in the second-half? Yeah, every team gets

their purple patch. That was their time to grab back some of this game.

At half-time we had a 5-point lead. As long as the half went on and we

kept that gap, they were getting less time to rectify the situation.

I suppose they would -- they were going to give it their best shot at

that stage. We were in a position to tag off a few points ourselves. How

important was composure? Obviously, we have experienced players on the

field. A lot of them have been around. They have a lot of

championship experience. They can deal with days like this. That is

always good. And of course you still have Sean Cavanagh up front. He has

lots of experience. You are probably better qualified than anybody to

speak about the Ulster championship. We had an interview with you in the

build-up to the game and you offered a very passionate defence of Ulster

Gaelic football and the modern game. Is there a gap emerging in Ulster? I

don't know. People tend to say that. Nothing ever stays the same. Some

teams come a little bit and maybe regress a little bit. I suppose

teams get to the top in Ulster. People are talking about Tyrone,

Monaghan, Donegal. That is the fact of the matter. I do know that on any

other day you have to be on your toes or you could be beaten by teams

outside of those three. Yes, it is still very competitive. I know some

of the early games have not been as competitive. But there are more

challenges within our province than any other. The bench is becoming

important. Owen Duffy winning man of the match from Monaghan. The quality

Donegal brought on last week. And the impact your substitutes made

today. Yeah, we always talk about this now. It is not a 15 man game

any more. You need energy to play at this level. There are very few

people who can give you a can of energy for 70 to 75 minutes. You

need people coming off the bench. Not because they're not as good as

the players who have started. They come in with a lot of energy and

maybe the opposition have been a little bit spent after 50, 55

minutes. They have a great opportunity to give it their best.

That is the nature of the game. And to have people who come in and make

an impact, that is what makes a good squad. Is there an argument to say

it is almost more important the team finishes the game? People speak like

that nowadays, of course. That is true. But you don't hold people back

from starting on a team just because you want to have them to the end.

You want to have enough players who can go in and you know that they

will be as effective as those who have started. They have energy.

Energy surplus. They can be an added value. Donegal against Tyrone will

be fascinating for the neutral. How much do you relish it? I'm relishing

the fact we are in the semifinal. We are going to have to meet a good

team in the semifinal. We have had a lot of good battles in recent years.

Until last year they had the upper hand. I they will want to get the

upper hand back. We have to do our best. Thank you.

STUDIO: We will broaden the discussion around the state of the

game in a moment and talk about the Tyrone bench. Oisin McConville, you

had a great view of the potential you thought might have been a

penalty claim, Niall Keenan doing brilliantly, and the keeper

McKinless. I'm still convinced it was a penalty. I believe he handled

the ball at that stage. It was a chance that Aidan McCrory again, the

cornerback. How many times do you see McCrory in that position? He has

scored important goals for Tyrone in the last couple of years stubbly I

don't get a penalty, I think it's great defending. Keenan, give him

the benefit of doubt, don't give up. Thomas hinted at the strength of

depth Tyrone have an Derry don't have it. Tyrone had 11 different

scorers today. We talk about the lack of a marquee forward. Tyrone

are still lacking in that department but they make up for it in many

other ways. The attack was so decisive and the transition from the

halfback line and the full-back line to the full forward line, so many

different players getting on the end of moves. The bench was phenomenal.

They had seven points off the bench. Before we look at the impact on the

Tyrone bench, the black card for the Frank Burns trip. You both think the

referee got it right. By the letter of the law it's right, but it's

still pretty soft. If the black card is there and we are implement in it

then by the rules it's a black card. The enough decision. It might be

revisited. Both of you waxing lyrical about Tyrone's strength in

depth on the bench. That was the black card for Frank Burns who had

been brought into the game halfway through the first half. The Tyrone

bench, you both felt... You could have highlighted half a dozen but

these two exemplify what is on the bench. We saw the consistency and

brilliance of McCrory today. And Brown scored 3-12 not so long ago.

That's the luxury they have. McCrory's first goal, it was a

header out of the top drawer. It has to be perfect, and on that occasion

it was brilliant. Without disrespecting Antrim or Derry, do

you sense both Donegal and Tyrone have been hiding a little, not

revealing too much. And they will improve for the semifinal,

notwithstanding they both saw off their initial opponents quite come

principally stubbly in truth I think Tyrone won that game playing within

themselves. -- quite comfortably. In truth I think Tyrone win that game

playing within themselves. You could really only say they had one proper

goal opportunity today. That's the only difference between this year

and lasted. Last year they got three goals. This year, there's nothing

wrong with taking 22 points, but against a more organised events like

Donegal, if you get behind you have to take goal chances. The one thing

they have missing from the game. Donegal have a weight of expectation

because both me and you have tipped them for the Ulster championship

this year. If they can carry that burden then we are in for a

fantastic game and semifinal. I would like to qualify for the record

that I know nothing. Dermot has been in touch. Tyrone are streets ahead.

Sean McGrillin 's has been in touch, he says, what has happened to my

great game of Gaelic football? Let's get the natter and chatter from the

terraces. Terrific display from Tyrone. Especially Sean Cavanagh.

Tyrone just had better players. They look very organised in defence.

Tyrone, the best team in Ulster. Division 3, clear as day stubbly I

think we have a lot more to do when we meet Donegal and I think Tyrone

were to fit and to good all over the field. To come into the second half,

Derry didn't have much to offer. Up Tyrone, the whole way right through

Northern Ireland. Come on Tyrone! You have to admire the verve and

optimism and wasn't she looking just brilliant in that blush pink top.

Another man who probably isn't blushing, but exhausted for 70

minutes, the ever youthful and vibrant Sean Cavanagh. Up and

running again. Up and running again I suppose. Six or seven weeks since

he played down in the last game of the league. Wasn't expecting it to

be as easy as it turned out to be. Nice playing conditions. Not a

typical Ulster Championship we were anticipating, but it's job done for

us. I suspect a night Derry will be disappointed with what they brought

to the table. But we have to remember they improved as the season

went on last year and will probably take away from doing what Tipperary

did. I think they will improve, but we know it will not be like this in

a few weeks. What did the Gueye in the first half? I suppose he came

here expecting a war. -- what did the game lack in the first half. We

probably came here expecting a level of physicality and with is getting

the early scores, it took the fizzle out of the game. As the game may be

heated up, ten or 15 minutes into the start of the second half, we

sprung three or four lads who I wouldn't like to be running after,

Mulgrew, Brennan, McCurry, they were able to tackle Mac onto the scores.

From our point of view, we wanted to add the scores. We knew... We can't

get carried away with this game because the game will not resemble

anything like today. We have to move on. A new look Tyrone side, some

positional changes with Donnelly in the corner. How impressed are you

with McCann wearing your old number nine jersey? People have been

accustomed to Tiernan in the last couple of years, who has been

playing that drastic stuff with the County champions. There are a number

of guys who had been waiting their chance. Probably more on the bench.

We have serious competition in the squad at the moment. Sitting there

at the end looking around me, at the likes of McShane and Ronan O'Neill,

who were on the pitch a year ago making the difference, and today it

was Brennan, McCrory. I suppose we are blessed with the players we have

at the moment. It's not always talked about, but we can't control.

We were disappointed with how the league turned out for us, but we are

quietly confident with the talent we have in the squad. It's going to be

good and it will be live on the BBC. As are all the remaining games in

the Championship. I promised I would broaden it out. I will remind you

what Sean McWilliams said to us. What has happened to the great game

of Gaelic football. Are we looking back through the prism of romance

and saying it was all great back then, or is the game in a state of

turgid torpor? We do look back with roasted glasses sometimes. I played

in a lot of very forgetful, I watched a lot of games that were

very forgetful. But it has evolved and changed that much that people

find it very difficult to accept. Defensive football which is played

poorly is the worst thing you can watch for 70 minutes at this level.

I think the good teams who play defensive football but can

transition quicker than the weaker teams, I think it's quite pleasant

to watch, but when you get two evenly matched teams. The best game

I've seen in the last few years was with Westmeath at Croke Park. It was

a shoot out. Both started out evenly and ran away with it. They were

neither of them going to win the all Ireland. We have been looking

forward to games in the Ulster challenger. I'm looking forward to

next week because both teams are evenly matched. I'm not seeing

either of those teams will win the Ulster Championship, but it will be

watchable because it's competitive. When it is not competitive like

today, it makes it a tough watch. You look at Kerry and Dublin in the

league final and you say there is another way. That was a pretty open

and riveting game. That was at Croke Park and there is more space there.

Kerry play their share of defensive football. Teams like Fermanagh are

not up to the level of Tyrone. Today was about fine tuning. They are

looking further down the line. It may be hard going to the likes of

Dublin, Mayo and Kerry, but defensively they can be vulnerable

if they go man against man against those teams. He's trying to find a

system and it is his prerogative to do that. The other thing is, Jim

McGuinness was positive about what he did with Donegal. He impressed

that and they improved. They were a defensive team who were down all

going forward. They evolve quickly. It takes one more coach to come in

and take a chance. What would be wrong with Derry coming here today

and putting pressure on like they did at the start of the second half,

putting pressure on the Tyrone kickouts? That's just one thing. The

worst thing you see in Gaelic football is when teams give the

opposition kickouts. I detest that. I don't understand the reason. I

don't mind players and teams dropping back to the defensive

system, but to give up the kickout when you can challenge for it and

force them to kick to the middle of the field and back your players to

win primary possession, then you have a foothold in the game to go

forward to express yourself. To give up kickouts like Derry did on many

occasions today, when they pushed up they looked a better team. That

something Derry have worked on in the league. I think Derry have

failed to address their defensive issues of the last few years. Last

year they conceded an average of 20 points during a game. Today it was

22. They are back covering space but not being effective. To give you a

brief update, a worry for Donegal with Michael Murphy apparently

limping off in a game today for his club. Let's hope Michael is

available for that semifinal. It's live on BBC sport in Northern

Ireland. Next like you are looking forward to Armagh and County Down.

I'm not saying either of them will win the Championship, but they are

evenly matched teams. That's all from Celtic Park. We will be back

next week with the game, Down against Armagh. Sunday from 1:50pm.

On BBC Two. Tyrone off to bathe in the abundance of their collective

brilliance Derry off to bathe their wounds. Speaking of Tyrone's

collective brilliance, my thanks to Paddy and Oisin for their collective

brilliance. It's goodbye from Celtic Park.