Un Clincial Defeat Report

Coming up all day I’ll have a Live blog on last nights game.

Although we lost, there was some glimmers of promise on a cold night in Haggardstown. The Line UP

Craig Lynch (Naomh Martin)

Kevin Toner (Pats) Derek Crilly (Gaels) Paul Berrill (Naomh Martin)

Anthony Williams (Dreadnots)  Pops (Dreadnots) David McComish (Gaels)

Robbie Brodigan (Plunketts)   Decie Byrne (Mochs)

Bevan Duffy (Fechins) Danny O’Connor (Pats) Tommy Durnin (Westerns)

Robert Quigley (O’Connells) Derek Maguire (DYI)   Ronan Holdcroft (Fechins)

The Subs
Dessie Finnegan (Pats) for McComish HT
Ryan Burns (Htown) for Quigley HT
Darren O’Hanlon (Pats) for Berrill
Ruairi Moore (O’Raths)   for Chinky
Hugh McGinn (Blues) for Bevan
Sean McCann (Gaels) for Danny O’Connor

Debutants
In the corner, Robert Quigley from the O’Connells made his debut. Although he was substituted at HT Quigley is a real talent and shouldn’t be discouraged.
He’s worth keeping around and I think he is still U21 this season again so he should be given the time to develop as even last nights experience will stand to him and Louth football.

In defence, Anthony Williams made his Debut for Louth at Right half back. He is a player thats alway stood out for Clogher at club level and deservedly got the call up. He was impressive last night, got forward to score a point but drove forward in general quite comfortably and still done his defence duties at ease.
Mark him down as a certain panel member for the league.
He has the conditioning and composure to make it and one of brightest glimmers of light from last night.

The Glimmers of light
UCD may be a step down from Kildare but how and ever in a much improved performance there were signs of improvement and some good individual performances.
Aside from Anthony Williams, David McComish Kevin Toner were again solid at the back.

Robbie Brodigan in the middle also improved on the weekend he has great hands and showed that again but he got forward and linked the play to good effect.
The more games he gets at this level will be beneficial to his development.

In the sticks Craig Lynch from the Martins  was also a big plus for Colin Kelly last night.
Made a couple of good saves and there was little he could do with both UCD’s goals.
Aswell as that He was sharp,clever with the quick kickouts, solid under the highball and can boom it long too.
Lynch was not afraid to come out the field and support his defenders and then as a result it provided us with an overlap straightaway.
He’ll provide excellent competition to Gally going forward for the number 1 shirt.

Our bench contributed 4 points last night that will please Kelly as his switches worked and provided an impact that almost won us the game.

*Addition*
I forgot to mention Derek Crilly…he really could be an option at full back come the league assured again last night tight and solid in the tackle too.
He really is Mr Utility when it comes to playing for Louth!

University College of Dublin Louth
The college side had two louth men in their ranks Patrick Reilly who we all knew about but Rob Carr from the Blues was the forgotten man. Carr actually started the Carlow game on sunday last and scored a point. Last night he was lively in the corner for the first half before being taken off at HT (maybe injured?). He got the point of the match cutting inside and beating two men before steadying himself to score. Playing O’Byrne cup/Sigerson this year will bring him on no end he’ll be a key Under21 player for Louth this season.
Reilly at full back was solid he was given the awkward task of picking up the pacy Derek Maguire.
Nonetheless he did come out the field as the game went on and looked alot more comfortable out there.

All in all, great to see Louth Lads cutting their teeth and putting themselves out there to play with university sides it will certainly improve them as footballers too.

Attacking the Problem

We are severely lacking a clinical edge up front and last night it cost us.
Bad shot selection and giving the extra pass is a combination of the time of year and lads wanting to impress new management.

With Colm Judge, Conor Grimes and Eoin O’Connor to come in personnel will improve things greatly come the league.
To me there is a fight out for the other 3 places.

Bevan Duffy looked more comfortable on the wing last night as did Danny O’Connor on the forty. The more space allowed them to find their feet somewhat. Looking towards the league Declan Byrne may be forced up the pitch he is not an out and out midfielder but his strengths are out around the middle third and scoring (maybe not on last nights sample). Decie on the forty could be an option.

Carlow again on Sunday will give the lads up front a chance to show their worth.

One more game
Most encouraging thing from last night was every.single.Louth.player. showed glimpses of their good club play and showed why they are there in the first place. This group will and has improved already.

Despite losing Last night the performance helped even the most impatient of Louth fans.

One more game in the O’Byrne cup Versus Carlow and a series of Challenges will gel us a team and buy the management time too.

I’ll be in Carlow Sunday 2pm and I’ll have the Live Updates so tune in if you are not able to make it

Thanks for reading today