Hand on Harte, I don’t see Tyrone as threat

APART from the Kildare v Mayo game, the team I was most eagerly waiting to see last weekend was Tyrone.

I don’t think they’ve changed much. Sometimes a team’s DNA just can’t be altered, and old mindsets and habits remain.

They’ve always been brilliant at breaking out of defence and their problem isn’t the transition to attack. Cavan’s Gearoid Mckieran almost beat Tyrone on his own the last day but in general their defence has been solid.

They should beat Cork to make the Super 8s but it looks beyond them to be realistic All-ireland contenders. They’re too hit and miss in the forward line.

Niall Sludden (above) is a super footballer but the mix is wrong in attack, particularly in the fullforward line. Maybe it’s time Ronan O’neill starts as he brings something different. He can unlock defences.

Too many of the Tyrone forwards are similar in style and physique and they drop too deep at times. Mickey Harte is missing a couple of classy, natural forwards.

Lee Brennan and Mark Bradley are out and Richie Donnelly at full-forward is not really working out the way it should. They’re struggling to score goals – they also missed four or five chances against Meath.

They do look more resilient but that key natural scoring ability and off the cuff brilliance is something that Tyrone are lacking.

And because of that, I do think Tyrone people need to realise their team is doing as well they possibly can.

They’re mentally stronger than last year but don’t have the personnel to do what they really want to do.