O'byrning Anticipation

Third Sunday of the Year and Louth finally kicks off their year away to Meath. Nice little spin out to Navan, on a possibly frosty sunday to have a look at the new recruits both sides have to offer.

Although a Baptism of fire, this game is not about winning it is about development.
David Collier at the back really could be an answer to our Full back problems we haven't had a legitimate one since Stephen melia!!  Meath newcomer Tom Walsh will test the Fechin's man's creditentials scoring 1-3 on his competitive debut the week before against wexford.
In goals Dwayne Crosbie comes in, after forging a good repuatation with St Mary's Ardee and junior soccer around the region over the years interesting to see how he commands his area and how well the his left footed kick outs go down.
The three debutants in the forwards, all have something to offer and alot to prove especially Ronan 'Chinky' Holcroft. His lofty place in the JFC scoring ranks over the years has alot of people calling for his inclusion, Sunday will be a perfect place to audition the public's vote.


Eoin O'Connor on the wing could be an option for kick outs but his scoring threat might be limitied so far away from the goals in Tailteann's big green pasture's.Also the mobility of the Meath Halfback line could be a factor. A move into the full forward line could develop during the game to suit his game and big frame better. 


Cathal Bellew the Kilkerley man who is still under 21 this year along with O'connor has being making waves of late with an ever improving Kilkerley side and deserve's his chance.


Typical Fitzer does what he said he doesn't in this case names majority of the players he said were out! Anyway enough about Fitzer's Faults. (we could be here all day!)
I am all for experimentation and if I had my way McComish and Scoots (Stephen Moonan) would both start at wingback with Liam Shevlin in Midfield with Donnelly. Now is the time to learn and assess players capability. Playing Paddy Keenan in January is just poor player management. You don't flog a throughbreed racehorse early in the year for the sake of a win, such as the welfare of our top players should be given the same consideration.


There is the added pressure on experimentation, we may not have another game. Thanks to the pulling out of Kilkenny we don't have the O'Byrne Shield to fall back on. This could potentially leave us gameless with three weeks prior to westmeath, the 4 pointer and league opener.


We all know how important a good start in the league is. So experiment now with the unknown's because we know what the rest of the Squad can offer and deliver.