Rookie Report

Louth went into battle with five debutant's, thats one third of the team good maths eh? Lets start at the back shall we?


Actually, lets go further than that and start in Goals with Dwayne Crosby solid throughout, Actually really solid, looked like a seasoned veteran and gave an impression he's up to the task. This could be down to the fact that goalkeeping looks and is very natural to him whatever the code you feel he could do it in his sleep. Icing on the cake was the close range block on Paddy Gilsenan in the first half, vital in keeping Louth in the game at that stage. His Kickouts accuracy will come but the distance and trajectory is there. A+


In front of Crosby was David Collier, The Fechin's man is no were near the finished article but showed a lot of potential. He has the heart and battling qualities which is required for inter-county football but a necessity for full back. Also Showed composure in dealing with the Geraghty hullabaloo. The more games the better to aid his development one for the future. This was typified in lasting the full sixty minutes.B+


My two wingmen, both debutant's both found it tough going, not in terms of ability but to get involved in the game. Cathal Bellew looked lively when on the ball and busy all round. Although he never really got an opportunity to show his attacking side due to threat the meath halfback line had going forward. Taking him off so early will not aid his development or confidence for that matter. C+


Eoin O'Connor on the opposite wing, also found the going tough but my nuance is more with management than the player. He was moved out the field rather than inside. The louth attack (and dear lord the game!) was crying out for him in his most natural position at full forward and where he made his name last summer. To see him taken off without being tried and tested there was the game's biggest travesty from louth's point of view. C


Huge step up for the Termonfeckin man Ronan 'Chinky' Holcroft and it showed, his free taking let him down which will disappoint him the most. However as the game went on he got up to speed, typified in stepping up to kick louth's only score of the first half. Playing in a higher grade of football with the club combined with being involved with the county set up full time will bring him on no-end C-


As can be seen from the report a common trend is occurring, that new players take time to develop and adjust and can't be judged too harshly too soon but sometimes in Gaelic football this time is just not available.