Louth and Derry Report LMFM

Love or loathe our local radio station, just mainly for being Local!

They provide a top class service.

Their recent Coverage of Louth Derry game proved that.

Gerry Kelly, the main anchor in the control room and he seamlessly pulled the strings between a meath hurling game in Pairc tailtean and an epic foosball game in the MDL but on the day with Meath playing in Omagh the night before, Louth had top billing and Colm Corrigan was the star performer.

The thing about Colm is, he is really likable fella and it comes across in his reporting you forgive him for making mistakes and to be far there isn’t that many. He is really underrated as a broadcaster very knowledgeable and passionate without being biased.

So let me report on the game through the eyes of LMFM and more importantly Colm.
Set Scene

Early on, before the game starts he sets the scene about the lack of following Louth support, and how nice of a day it is in Derry, you can hear the envy in his voice about the fans out in the sun compared to his spot in the press box

Not only does he set the scene, he apprehensively lowers our expectations about the game by telling us how difficult the task ahead is.
So straightaway much to our surprise at the astonishment in Colm’s Voice when he tells us Brian Donnelly wastes a blatant goal opportunity!

After that, the game settles down with a Derry point then a Darren Clarke reply.

Then we get a Goal!! Darren Clarke finishes off a fine move
Sudden you’re enthusiasm about our chances rises with Colm voice and amazement at the way things are going!

We are three points up in Derry after five minutes!

However this enthusiasm soon dips with the concession of a number of frees and what Colm called a ‘Gally flap’ allows Derry to score four in a row take a one point lead after ten minutes.

Work Contrast

A Jim Mac ‘Shimmy’ and ‘left foot Dummy’ levels the game.

The effort Louth go through to score compared to Derry is evident in his voice, he is dismayed at how easy Sean Leo replies to Jim and Enda Lynn keeps the Derry lead after Mark Brennan finds the unmarked Adrian Reid to score in space.

A close in free from Darren Clarke levels the game again and Colm brilliantly describes the next score Louth gets to take the lead, a Jaime Carr point.  ‘not a regular scorer’ correct. but the way he approved Darren Clarke unselfishness in the set him up is key, it highlighted to the listener that Darren choose the right decision. Colm was indirectly saying well done Darren for not usually shooting and we all knew that.

Find

Brian Donnelly is down a long time according to Colm after a push he hurts his ankle, Peach Califf is brought on in the middle for him. Colm makes it three Clogher representatives’ on the field for Louth today. Nice touch by Colm and a great fact for geeks like me.

After 25 mins Colm’s ‘find’ of the national league for Louth Jim Mac  levels the game again. Although he said it off the cuff Colm is spot on, Jim has been a find this season. He is our second top scorer in the national league that’s good going for a lad in his debut season at this level.

It seems to be free after free for Derry in reply to every time we score, Derek Maguire levels the game for the 8^th time with a fisted point when a possible goal was on but after last week’s misfortune against Kildare’s woodwork Colm thinks he made the right choice.

Two onetime Ardee St Marys men combine for a goal chance at the end of the half much to Colm’s delight, A shot forcing the keeper into what sounds like a fabulous save for a 45’ which Darren Clarke marvellously points.

A now, out of breath Colm wraps up the half by saying the scoreline and emphasising the entertainment level of the game before going back to the Studio to Gerry to enjoy a well-earned reprieve.

Clarke Start

Refreshed after the Break, Colm got straight into it with Darren Clarke to the fore, a ‘class’ score from play out on the right and the second a free brought out Colm’s line of the day. So huge was Darren Clarkes free he tells us ‘the Derry supporters are even applauding that score’. Ronan Carroll put us two points ahead seizing on a referee mix up.

Then it was the Paddy Bradley show, hitting the first four points of a consecutive six point run in all for Derry. Although three yellow cards were handed out, it’s hard to tell whether there was an actual lull in the game or Colm was sensing a Louth loss.
LMFM Timing

You could feel his frustration at what he is seeing by getting annoyed at Decie Byrne’s indiscipline of a lack tackle and the amount of space being awarded to Enda Lynn.
LMFM sensing Colms disinterest decided to go back to Gerry in the control room with Louth four points down.
I reckon a lot fans turned off the radio at that stage, but luckily I held out and was rewarded. We joined up with a reenergised Corrigan again with five minutes to go.

At this Stage Louth had scored one from play and another free but he didn’t say who as Derek Maguire was in the process in of missing a chance but you could sense the flurry in Colms voice that Louth were back in it.

He further let the Louth fan come out in him at this stage and you could hear the whole county collectively groan at the radio as Darren Clarke missed two scorable  free’s to not only Level the game but to give us the lead. Then again Colm reminded us not to be too harsh on the man who has carried Louth all afternoon. Bang on again Colm.
Finale
Then when Jim scored his third and final ‘special point in which is all he seems capable of’ and he’s right about Jim, he has scored nothing but wonders this season getting single of the week in my scorers chart on two occasions this campaign. Colm did slighty mention the Derry protest but moved on after that man Paddy B put two between the sides again.

A wide a piece from both sides lead us to the grand finale.

Colm teased us with the mention of Louth needing and getting a goal to win it but said he would be satisfied with a draw. With that Louth worked a short Kickout ending with Brian White getting a score a point in it!!
Deep into injury time and the draw could still be on, we needed the ball and we GOT it, next thing all we wanted to hear was Darren Clarke, he HAS it!! Next thing we wanted to hear was a score, tell us Colm and he DID!

‘Darren Clarke equalised from play, at the death!, and there is the full time whistle’ YES and then a huge sigh of relief from Colm and myself to be honest!

With that, I turned off the crystal clear transmission.

Smile on my face. Why?

Great performance from Louth and the professional Service from LMFM all day….only for them.

Well, actually only for Colm, who first of all he was there on his own doing a great broadcasting job whilst carrying the whole county’s eye’s and ear’s.

Thanks Colm appreciate it

Roll on Meath!
Best player on display: Darren Clarke, showed serious Character in stepping up at the end having missed two free’s moments earlier.
Best Derry Player on Display: Paddy Bradley, the sharpshooter is back but who was picking him up?

Scorers Chart

Darren Clarke tops all the chart’s this week but back to the top of the singles chart with ‘free kick Boomer‘ from the album ‘not Anfield rap, but Celtic park Clap’ 

Darren Clarke 1-7 145’ 3f
Jim McEnaney 3pts
Derek Maguire 1pt
Ray Finnegan 1pt
Ronan Carroll 1pt
Jamie Carr 1pt
Adrian Reid 1pt
Brian White 1pt

NFL ALBUM Chart
(1) Darren Clarke 1-30pt 19f 245    
(2)Jim McEnaney 9pt
(3) Paddy Keenan 7pt 1f
(4) Ronan Carroll 6pt
(-) Derek Maguire 6pt
(5)Mark Brennan 4pt
(6) Derek Crilly 3pt
(-) Adrian Reid 3pt
(-) Ray Finnegan 3pt
(9) Brian Donnelly 2pt 1F 145'
(-) Andy McDonnell 2pt
(-) Brian White 2pt
(12) Eoin O'Connor 1pt
(-) Gerry Hoey 1 pt
(-) Liam Shevlin 1pt
(-) Aaron Hoey 1pt
(-) Declan Byrne 1pt
(-) Jaime Carr 1pt