Match ups Last line of Defence

To Quote Oasis, Louth will Definitely maybe start with the same team that started against Westmeath. With the exception of Dessie in at Full back for Liam Shevlin.

We don’t have the personnel or imagination on the line to think outside the box and start a Graham Reilly in midfield out of the blue but we knew all this when Fitzer took over and crucially when the exodus of players left for stateside.

But, besides that, We have what we have....

and now that I know the Dublin team...and Louth Team

I’ve looked through the match up’s of both sides and I can’t help but be positive!

Lets start defensively

 

THE FULLBACK LINE

Oh how we miss John O’Brien, the marking job he did on Bernard Brogan way back in 2010 was truly special but enough about who we don’t have.

Pop/Connolly

Firstly We have Pop Rath and recent twitter hash tag #inpopwetrust is duly fitting. Pops is a very intelligent defender and underrated man marker so much so it took us nearly an hour to put him on Dennis Glennon the last day!! When did go on him, he frustrated him which makes him ideal to start on Diarmuid Connolly.

Connolly is Dublin’s most natural forward but, like most geniuses, when frustrated he loses his way. Pop is the man to do it. (One more time for old times’ sake) #inpopwetrust

Gerry/Kevin McMenamon

Although McMenamon is named at Full forward it doesn’t necessarily mean Dessie picks him up. Anyway we want Dessie Close to goals at all times. With McMenamon abit of a roamer and more natural deeper in the forward line, Gerry Hoey is tailor made to pick him up.

They match up physically and size wise with Gerry possibly having more pace. There will be alot of pressure on Kevin Mc all-ireland momemtom swinger starting Sunday, whereas none on Gerry, Hoey’s intensity and combative nature might be too much for a player used to coming off the bench.

Dessie/Bernard Brogan

I know, I know, exactly what you are thinking...that I previously thought ‘it was a good thing Dessie wasn’t there for the Westmeath game and now you have him picking up Bernard Brogan!!’

Allow me to explain, in a way Dessie not being there was a good thing, but not at the expense of Shevlin’s confidence.

Personally I underestimated how difficult a position full back is, and how disciplined you have to be to play there...you have to sacrifice your game for the team, be disciplined, hold your position at all times and resign yourself to the fact that you won’t be playing too much football. 

Dessie is the best, size to discipline we have available to pick up Bernard Brogan, Playing in Close to goals will suit the natural Full back and the low expectation levels on him marking a not fully fit superstar like BB will suit him and his character right down to ground.