NFL Build Up: Selection Talking Points

I'll go through them now shall I?  

Battle for the number 1 jersey


Shane McCoy retains his place after O'Fiaich Cup and O'Byrne cup.... He's gotten in ahead of Gally through injury and stays there. Solid keeper no real complaints.

McCoy is a registered Dromintee player so it means 16 Armagh Clubs players will now start the game
and
amazingly, Two Goalkeepers from the same Club will now start for opposite teams on Sunday! Phillip McEvoy the Armagh Goalie is also from Dromintee. Surely thats a first!!

Sole Debutant

The one and only debutant named to start for us is Brides man Paddy Reilly, in at full back....He has been touted as the next big thing especially on this blog but, even I was surprised to see him included! and especially at full back! I feel he is can be more influential out the field, interesting to see how tight of a marker he is especially with the nippy Jamie Clarke, Kyle Carragher and Tony Kernan all inside.

The way I think they'll line up

Number 6

I named 8 players to possibly play at number 6 to replace the injured Derek Crilly and Dessie wasn't one of them!
I don't think he is a Centre back but AOR knows he is not needed at fullback for this mission but he is probably the best player we have physically to deal with Jonny Hanratty or Ethan Rafferty (if he swaps) on the forty for Armagh. He'll be afforded to drop in front of Reilly too due to Hanratty and Rafferty's limited long range threat.

half full or Half empty Forward line

Reido gets bumped up to half forward where he's played most of his career to facilitate the abundance of defenders bad move for me. He's our best attacking wing back proved it last season. More than likely sweep behind midfield in front of the area left by the deeper lying Dessie.
Judge get the nod on the forty to link up the play as predicted and all Declan Byrne's hard work has paid off with an elusive start he craved. Major shift expected from him now.

Attack Focus

Andy at 13....is a massive clue to the way we are going to attack he'll surely roam and leave a twin pronged inside attack. The tall and rangey Eoin O'Connor and Speedster Derek Maguire inside gives us alot of options and ways to vary the attack. Pressure will really be on them to supply the scores. especially Maguire.

Dead Ball Dilemma

Looking at the named I'll guess Donnelly hits the long range. Judge from the right hand side and Maguire hits the gimme's close in. Although not as accurate as Brian White it could be worse. We have Clarkie on the bench if things get out of hand.

The Bench 

Neil Gallagher
Stephen Campbell
Darren Clarke
Gary Connolly
Cian Doyle
Gerard Hoey
John Kermode
Keith McLoughlin
Darren O'Hanlon
Conor Rafferty

We have 11 lads on the line all very close to the starting fifteen and with
Black Card threat it makes changes and switches inevitable.
Our quality and variety of options will be an advantage. It will make the changes very fluid with little disruption to our team and massive impact to theres!

Overall, I like the look of the team and I like the thought process behind some of the selections.  

safe manager? I think not. 

He's shown balls here and I'm excited by that the most.


 
What do you think? thanks for reading

Match preview tomorrow at 1pm

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NFL Build UP: The Team's are Named

What a team it is too.....plenty of talking points.....I will go through it later.

Louth Team

1. Shane McCoy

2. Pop Rath

3. Paddy Reilly,  

4. Gary O’Hare 

5.John O’Brien 

6. Dessie Finnegan 

7. Liam Shevlin 

8. Paddy Keenan

9.Brian Donnelly 

10. Adrian Reid 

11. Colm Judge

12. Declan Byrne 

13. Andy McDonnell 

14. Eoin O’Connor  

15. Derek Maguire


Armagh Team 
1. Philip McEvoy

2. Paul Hughes
3. Charlie Vernon
4. Michael Murray
5. Mark Shields
6. Andy Mallon
7. Rory Gurgan
8. James Lavery
9. Ethan Rafferty
10. Stefan Campbell
11. Johnny Hanratty
12. Robbie Tasker
13. Jamie Clarke (Capt)
14. Tony Kernan
15. Kyle Carragher



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NFL Build UP: My Team

My team, Read it, and weep!

thoughts behind my selection.

Goalkeeper
Gally will come in he's out number 1 if fit. end of.  
Full back Line: Gary O'Hare, Pop, JObser
Armagh will possess a very quick and mobile full forward line. Especially with Aidan Forker definitely out. They will play a number of the following either side of Jamie Clarke.

Eugene McVerry, 
Robbie Tasker, 
Kyle Carragher, 
Niall mcConville 
and 
Gavin mcParland.

All a similar type of player small and tricky. So it makes Dessie a wee bit redundant and Keith McLaughlin loses out on a lack of experience. Pop Picks up Jamie Clarke from the start for me.


Half back Line:Shev, Decie and Reido
Decie can just sit in front of the Jamie Clarke channel and mop up everything and distribute and set up attacks from there. Andy and Bevan on wings can then, drop back and pick up his man. 
Liam Shevlin and Adrian Reid surprisingly are the only wing backs left in the squad. remember we used to have load of them?

Midfield: PK and Donnelly
Our best 2 midfielders and tried and trusted partnership.
 
Half forward Line: Bevan Duffy Judge and Andy
Judge on the Forty to will be there to link the attack pick up breaking balls and be an overall nuisance to their defence. On the wings Bevan Duffy did enough in the O'Byrne cup to merit a starting place and Andy will be his dynamic self with an eye to repay the manager for bringing him back on board.
  
Full Forward Line Doyle, O'Connor, Clarke
Cian Doyle is the man on form, five minute hat-trick for DKIT on Wednesday and will take that into his first national league game. He can roam about like he usually does and Leave Eoin O'Connor and Darren Clarke inside.
Clarkie gets the nod ahead of Maguire as he is a free taker and with the Black card sure to be a factor Maguire's impact from can be even more devastating.
Eoin O'Connor on the edge of the square is a different option and allows us to vary our attacks if needed. He's being playing quite well for DCU also.

Luckily I'm not the manager and I get to make all these ballsy decisions behind a screen.

AOR's TEAM

I reckon AOR will play it safe and go for a more conservative team like this:

Pats pair Dessie and Darren O'Hanlon to start down the centre of defence. 
and 
No Eoin O'Connor, Bevan Duffy and Doyle up front instead, Judge pushes to the corner and Andy starts on the forty with AOR favourite Conor Rafferty making his first start on the wing while Maguire getting the nod also.

It does make sense to go tight and compact in the opening round but a little risk could go along way!.

The team is usually named after training tonight. So, I'll discuss the selection tomorrow please god.


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NFL Build UP: Armagh Watch

 

Is Armagh Manager Paul Grimley trying to break all records for the amount injured players he is working with? I think, at last count the number of injured players in his squad was 20!

Clever approach Paul Grimley. Very Clever.

I think he is trying to ease the pressure of the Armagh fans off his back, especially now with Geezer in his back room team. If something goes wrong they will be baying for his blood. So instead he gets in there first and plays the poor mouth. Lower the Armagh fans expectations from the get go and while he is at it, play a wee mind game with us.


but it won't work here!

Luckily, we have an Armagh man as manager.

He'll know all his talk is nonsense.

Here's why


Lets go through the so called injured list

Aaron Kernan,
James Morgan,

Long term absentee's know and their absence would have been planned for, well in advance but nice names to throw in to bump up the numbers.

Finian Moriarty,
Paul McKeown,
Mark Shields,
Gary McCooey,

4 defenders which range in Experience but all a similar type of player. Easily replaced with another Armagh panel member. For example Ciaran Rafferty would start ahead of those 4 players anyway even if they were fit.


Brendan Donaghy,
Ciaran McKeever,
and
Aidan Forker, 

3 genuine starters but I reckon Donaghy could end up featuring!
Forker is definitely out with a broken rib but he is their only attacker missing where as we are missing at least 2! (Lennon & White)

Armagh can't afford not to start their captain Ciaran McKeever! Broken Wrist or no Broken Wrist!


Doubts
 
In GAA terms Doubts is a load of BS! They are touch and go to the outside world but, go-go behind closed doors.

Grimley has really bumped up his Doubts list.

Kieran Toner,
Ethan Rafferty,
Aaron Findon,
and
Stephen Harold,

I wouldn't be Surprised if all these didn't start Sunday, nevermind feature.


Conclusion


Armagh name their team via their website. (By the way, very innovative idea!)

So expect to be surprised at the actual strength of their team when it is annouced.

By playing the poor mouth perfectly, Grimley has not only lowered his teams expectations to the outside world but masked their actual strength and the return of quality players such as Charlie Vernon, Kevin Dyas and all star Andy Mallon to their set up!

well played sir, well played.

But,

we're on to ya.


















 

ARMAGH: Philip McEvoy, Andy Mallon, Charlie Vernon, Paul Hughes, Mark Shields, Stefan Campbell,, Ciaran Rafferty, Ethan Rafferty, James Lavery, Eugene McVerry, Kyle Carragher, Tony Kernan, Robbie Tasker, Jamie Clarke, Niall McConville. Subs used: Kevin O’Rourke for E McVerry (6 mins), Brian Mallon for M McConville (34), Johnny Hanratty for T Kernan (41), Ciaran MacIomhair for K Carragher (47), Ciaran McCooey for P Hughes (49) - See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2014/01/15/tyrone-sweep-aside-armagh/#sthash.SaKA4SkK.dpuf

ARMAGH: Philip McEvoy, Andy Mallon, Charlie Vernon, Paul Hughes, Mark Shields, Stefan Campbell,, Ciaran Rafferty, Ethan Rafferty, James Lavery, Eugene McVerry, Kyle Carragher, Tony Kernan, Robbie Tasker, Jamie Clarke, Niall McConville. Subs used: Kevin O’Rourke for E McVerry (6 mins), Brian Mallon for M McConville (34), Johnny Hanratty for T Kernan (41), Ciaran MacIomhair for K Carragher (47), Ciaran McCooey for P Hughes (49 - See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2014/01/15/tyrone-sweep-aside-armagh/#sthash.SaKA4SkK.dpuf

ARMAGH: Philip McEvoy, Andy Mallon, Charlie Vernon, Paul Hughes, Mark Shields, Stefan Campbell,, Ciaran Rafferty, Ethan Rafferty, James Lavery, Eugene McVerry, Kyle Carragher, Tony Kernan, Robbie Tasker, Jamie Clarke, Niall McConville. Subs used: Kevin O’Rourke for E McVerry (6 mins), Brian Mallon for M McConville (34), Johnny Hanratty for T Kernan (41), Ciaran MacIomhair for K Carragher (47), Ciaran McCooey for P Hughes (49 - See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2014/01/15/tyrone-sweep-aside-armagh/#sthash.SaKA4SkK.dpuf

NFL Build UP: Louth NUmber 6

Derek Crilly is definitely out, I know this because @colmcorrigan said it, so it has to be true!! 

So, who is going to play Number 6?

A problem position for us and Derek isn't even a natural number 6 but he has made the position his own so much so, we kinda over relied on him there and now that he is injured we are scrambling for options.


I'll go through the options now shall I?

Darren O'Hanlon? played there for Queens during the week and in the O'Fiaich cup for us also. Solid and will hold the centre well, AOR's most likely pick I reckon.

Gerry Hoey? played the whole season and Leinster run with the Gers at number 6 throwing him in there on his first game back could be too risky?
Gary Connolly? big ask for the mochta's man who is still finding his feet at this level but AOR likes him in that area holding the centre of defense.

Liam Shevlin? Man on form, Could he could push across the halfback line and hold the middle? absolutely.

Paddy Reilly? The man who would be king, certainly has the ability just like his dad to play there. I think that position would get the best out of him but Sunday might be too soon in his development though.

Mick Fanning? Probably our most experienced player in that position in the squad. He hasn't featured of late but, has he ever let us down when he's played?

John O'Brien? with an abundance of corner backs in the squad all playing well. bring out the Jobser and let him express himself. A bold call to make but would be very exciting if given the nod there.

Declan Byrne? My pick, has the all round game to play there. his distribution foot passing is second to none. Just needs to be given the nod and persisted with.


Another factor is, whoever starts on the forty for Armagh? 
AOR will know what defender will be best suited to pick that player up.

The Positive thing is, we have options.


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Trench Cup 2014 Preview

DKIT or 'Deadly Kit' as I like to call them  play Southern Regional College (SRC) today in the Trench Cup

Former Armagh star and new Crossmaglen manager Oisin McConville is in charge with Derek Crilly involved also. Ironically McConville will know SRC's best players as majority of them will be pooled from Bandit Country south Armagh.
Louth Men Wayne Campbell, Jocks and Gavin Douglas, Mary's Ardee will feature for SRC and possibly Mark Newell from the Clans.

DKIT really should win this match, regardless of Paul Grimley not letting
their best player and Armagh Senior Ethan Rafferty play for SRC. 

The College itself seems to be actually showing an interest in their GAA team of late and about time too! 
With college football these days you get a lot back for minimal investment. It is a great advertisement for the college. If the team is successful and have a good set up it will certainly attract people there.

They've pumped some much needed resources in the team and rightfully so. This, then has a positive knock on effect. College takes the team seriously, Manager then puts in the required time and The players want to show pride in the college that backed them.

As a result, the whole set up believe and put in the extra effort and do whatever it takes, on the day to get the win.

Hopefully it plays off today.

Best of Luck lads!

Game throws in at 2pm in Fundalk tune in here for updates 


 4-11 to 3-13 win for DKIT Well Done lads!!!

 
List of Louth players involved with DKIT.
12 in total which is great to see andf good for their Clubs and the County in general


Mark Neary Joes

Alan Quigley Joes

Timmy Smith Mattock

Conor Finnegan SOM

Mark Cunningham Mattock

Ciaran Murray DYI                     Louth trialist

Anthony Lynch Clogher

Thomas McCann pats

Keith McLaughlin SOM    Current Louth Panelist
Cian Doyle O'Connells   Current Louth Panelist

Robert Quigley O'Connells

Peter Lynch Stabannon 

Louth Players GAA education Pt V Sigerson Cup begins

Yesterday

Queen’s University beat UL in the preliminary round 0-13 to 0-11.

Darren O'Hanlon played a full game as the Belfast College won their first game in the sigerson in 6 years


Check out Darren wearing number 6 in this video
and
Aidan O'Rourke speak with a Louth Hat on his head!

wonder how many Armagh men Queens had?

They now play GMIT next Wednesday

In the First Round UCD beat Athlone IT 0-17 -2-7 great win but disappointingly the 2 Louth men involved didn't start. Paddy Reilly Louth panelist and Brides player came on at Half time and then got back carded on the 52nd minute while Andrew English from the Mochta's was an unused sub.

ah well, at least they are still there, in the Quarter final stage and The lads might play then.

Today 
 
There are three Sigerson Cup games pencilled in but as far as I know there is only one Louth player involved.

Barry O'Hare from Roche for IT Tralee.

If you know any others let me know @LouthProud

First Round
UUJ v IT Sligo  2pm
Trinity College v UCC 4pm

Preliminary Round
IT Tralee v NUI Galway, 2pm


Trench Cup Preview to come!!!!

NFL Division 2, 2014 in a NutshelL

Here we are again...I may or may not let the excitement get to me yesterday but here's why!

Teams
Louth
Laois (H)
Galway (H)
Armagh (H)
New Teams
Relegated from Division 1
Donegal (A)
Down (A)

Promoted up from Division 3
Monaghan (A)
Meath (H)

Best Case Scenario:  We win the league in style, relegating Meath on the final day for good measure!

Worst Case Scenario: We lose all our home games and spanked away from home and the Meath game on the final day becomes irrelevant!

Most Likely Scenario: We win our first two games at home and by hook or by crook we stay ahead of Armagh and Laois to avoid the drop three years running.

Best team: Donegal 
Worst team: Laois
Dark horses: Down

Best chance of a W: Laois at home
Best Chance of a D: Monaghan away
Best chance of a L: Donegal in Ballyshanon

Longest away trip:Ballyshannon, wear the fox hat? we all know the joke by know but, the 2 hours and 39 mins spin over is no joke!
Shortest away trip:  Newry, 42mins and you can eat some UK tayto at the game tasty!

Toughest Ground: Clones teams will be luck to get many wins there this year.
Nicest ground: Pearse Park, Galway alot of nice stadia this year but Pearse is my winner.

Best looking fans: gonna be controversial and a wee bit biased and say Meath!
Ugliest looking fans: Monaghan mushroom farmer heads on them...

Best Freetaker: Paul Finlay Jap is still the best about
Worst freetaker: Mickey Burke, i can just tell right! McFadden on a bad day is bad!
Top Goalpoacher: Jamie Clarke

Nicest jersey: Down simple but effective design
Ugliest Jersey: Donegals attempt at a Brazilian soccer jersey for the world cup!

Best Goalie: Brendan McVeigh Down
Best Kickout: Rory Beggan Monaghan

Best Defence: Donegal
Defender: Karl Lacey Donegal
 
Best midfield: U21 winning duo Fiontan O'Curraoin and Tomas Flynn from Galway
Midfielder:  Neil Gallagher is literally head and shoulder above the rest

Best forwards: Donegal's full forward line
Best Forward: Man Child Michael Murphy

Selection of What Louth Fans will Sample in the year ahead in Division 2, hence my reasons for being excited.

Dirtiest Player: Ciaran McKeever Grrrrr
Most Annoying Player: Weirdly There is alot in this division, allow me to list them,in no particular order. Paddy O'Rourke, McKeever, Mark McHugh, Dick Clerkin but Billy Sheehan tops the lot Grrrrrrrrr X2
Classiest Player: Conor Laverty Down is classy operator.

Strongest Player: Calum King, Down mma background stonggg.
Weakest Player: Jamie Clarke might not be able to bench press a bag of sugar
but he defo the....Most Skilful Player: I reckon he could curl the bag of sugar over the bar with 4 defenders hanging out of him. he turns so so quick and sharp.


Fastest Player: Danny Cummins Galway explosive corner forward

Slowest Player: Conor Gillespie great hands yes. great pace. no.


Best Player in the division: and best player we'll see all year is Michael Murphy class apart. He does something worth the entrance fee in every game he plays.
notable mentions: Darren Hughes, Gareth Bradshaw, Karl Lacey, Colm McFadden,John O'Loughlin, Paddy McBrearty, Mickey Burke, Jamie Clarke, Conor McManus, Michael Meehan, Mark Poland and many many more

Excited much now? 


 Fixture List
Sun 2nd Feb: Home Armagh
Sun 9th Feb: Home Laois
Sat 1st Mar: Down Away
Sun 9th Mar Monaghan Away
Sun 16th Mar: Home Galway
Sun 30th Mar: Donegal Away
Sun Apr 7th: Home Meath 

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The National Football League returns!!!

With our First game Only 6 days away, the countdown is well and truly on!!!

you should Like my facebook Page
 and 
Follow me on twitter @LouthProud
Because The Blog programme for the week is as follows

-NFL Division 2 in a nutshell 2014 edition
-My Team Selection
-Team Selection reaction
-Armagh Watch

-Match Preview  
and 
so much more!!

so stay tuned!


I dunno about you but I'm very excited about the year ahead!!!!!!!!

All Ireland IFC Semi Final 2014 Match Preview

The nerves are jangling, these two teams are one game away from an All-Ireland final in Croke park.....here's my preview.

Truagh Gaels Vs Geraldines

Sunday Crossmaglen 2pm

The Competition itself

Just a little indicator on the scale of difficulty of the task the Geraldines face today.
Louth teams in all-Ireland series has little or no sample size to work with. (the Gaels in 05 being a worthy outlier)
that, we know, but.

A Leinster team has never won the competition since it first started in 2004.
Right, fair enough. No biggie

Really Worryingly is a Leinster has had only one finalist.ever.

Ulster sides on the other hand have pretty stellar pedigree. In fact an ulster side has won three out of the last four years.

Gulp.

 

GErs

That said, it doesn’t mean the Haggardstown men can’t do it. These club competitions are all on the day and all the traits that have got them there will stand them in good stead.

Meticulous preparation, ever do an exam and all the question you wanted to come up, come up. That’s how the Gers will feel today. Eamon McEneaney is known for his studious research of opposing teams. The fact that he managed Monaghan recently will help even further!  Because of this, the players will know the Truagh personnel and their strengths inside out but most importantly they’ll know how to take ‘em down.

Ice cool free taking, not just Jim but Michael Rogers has also stood up the plate. It is so crucial to take every chance you get and nailing every free or 50 will give the Gers the confidence and security blanket needed in a tight game.

Their Defence has been a real unsung hero, be it collectively or individually (Hoey, Craven and Hand) in man marking top opposing threats and will have to be tight again today as Truagh have a number of forwards mentioned in Truagh Focus that can cause a lot of damage.

And finally

It is a high pressure semi final howeveer the Gers are well used to it, especially this year alone but all those big minor days out and U21 finals where they were expected to win, and did. All that Big game experience will stand to them, it has so far.

Verdict

Truagh are a senior team in the right place at the right time getting relegated in 2012 has allowed them to develop their young and most talented players.

They work supremely hard all over the place and are typified by their work ethic. So make no mistake about it, they will go into the game as favourites but, they are no world beaters and can be beaten

I believe the traits that I’ve pointed out that make this Louth team successful so far and will continue to today.

 

Best of Luck lads.
#NGA

 

 

 



 

All Ireland IFC Semi Build Up: Truagh Focus

here's some info on the Gers opponents this Sunday.

Truagh Gaels

Located just outside Emyvale, North Monaghan.
They play in Red and Black.

Crest 

Background


Senior team as recently as 2012...relegated last season and reached a senior final in 2000.


Monaghan Minor champions for the first time in 2011, 3 of that team will play on Sunday
and 
They are Monaghan Under 21 Champions this year too.



Their main men
The two mcKenna's are head and Shoulders above the rest of their Truagh team mates. Nearly sure they are brothers too. Both have been called up to the MOnaghan senior panel on the back of their club performances.

Padraig 'Paudie' Mckenna is a world champion, world champion Handball player! He made his senior Debut in the McKenna Cup recently.

A dynamic wing back who loves to attack and drive Truagh forward in open play. The Gers more than likely will have to set someone to pick him up such as modern football is these days.

Daniel McKenna who played for Monaghan under Eamonn McEnaney actually the Gers manager gave him his senior debut in 2011  when he was a county under 21...he's back on the senior panel now and should stay there.

A really tasty forward and stopping him will be the Gers main task come Sunday.  If they are successful at doing so they'll win. Simple as.

Stopping is no easy task however as he can operate any where in the forward line.

Adam Treanor

Star wing forward on Monaghan's Ulster Minor winning team this year.
See him scoring here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbH4KTXP6Vk

Their top scorer and Man of the Match in the Monaghan Final. 
Talented young man, He'll play in the corner for them sunday. 

 
Also Look out for 

Mark Counihan

Crafty corner forward, emphasis on Crafty.




Padraig Treanor

Industrious Midfielder and Captain

and

Keith Sherrin has also represented his county however injury has somewhat hampered him this season.