Newtown Bues 125 Louth Dublin

So Sunday, the 21st of October 2012, 

 

The day the 2013 season has started as well as Aidan O'Rourke's reign with a loss to Dublin at the Newtown Blues 125 year celebrations.

The game was very much exhibition stuff, the intensity was like the weather conditions light, warm and breezy.

Louth started the game with a Blues man in every line of the pitch, except for the full forward line and it could have been the Newfoundwell flush if Colm Judge was fit to play, instead he was the bench not togged out but significantly for Louth's up coming season he seemed to be involved.

The game itself Dublin Started alot brighter mainly down to their conditioning, with many Louth Clubs redundant for a number of weeks, majority of the Dublin players are in the height of  or just finished their club seasons and it told.

The Half Time score was 2-8 to 1-3 Ciaran Byrne marking his debut with a goal.

It was the contrast in Substitutes that allowed Louth back into the game Brian White being one of them who really made an impact along with Ruairi Moore. Where as Dublin's shape and momentum waned with the exception of Gerry Seaver who scored the point of the game way out on the right.  

Louth battled on and through a well taken Jim McEnaney finish and Brian White penalty, made the final score a lot more healthier looking.

3-10 to 2-15

The only way  is up from here.

The Team 

1. Joe Flanagan

2. Gerry Hoey

3. Conor McGuinness

4. Jamie Carr

5. Stephen Moonan

6. Liam Shevlin

7. Conor Rafferty

8. John Kermode

9. Declan Byrne

10. Cathal Bellew

11. Jim McEneaney

12. James Murray

13. Ciaran Byrne

14. Shane Lennon

15. Pepe Smith

16. Neil Gallagher

17. Mick Fanning

18. Brian White

19. Jason Clarke

20. Ruairi Moore

21. David McComish

The Positive's 

Ciaran Byrne starting and not looking out of place, he has the size and attributes but he still went out and did it, scoring a goal and showing a sublime piece of skill to catch the ball with one hand.

Shane Lennon another forward on the other end of the spectrum to Byrne but his start was equally important, great to see Shane back in a Louth jersey good pre season for him now and it could be a special season for the kilkerly man.

There seems to be a bit of depth in the Squad too, even without the county champions contingent from the Pat's, O'Connell's and Glen Emmett's We were able to hold our own, Plus we were without 8 or 9 regulars from last season's team not even Squad. this bodes well for the competition for places not only on the team but to stay in the Squad.

Throw Judge and the Oz and American exile's returning back in the mix and it can be nothing but positive.

The Negative's

I mentioned the championship winners contingents missing but still there was Lack of Fresh faces on show. The championship runners up had only 2 players involved. Pepe and regular Liam Shevlin. 

Surely there was room for a lot more Young Clogher and Clans players to be blooded. Cian McEvoy, Anthony Williams and Billy Smith to name a few.

Also, 3 of last U21 squad's was also used was equally disappointing, get them involved and get them climatised the sooner the better to the inter county game.

anyway like i say only early days yet.....thanks for reading

and Congratulations to the Blues on their 125 years.

DUBLIN (Squad): Michael Savage, Jack Smith, Barry O’Hanlon, Michael Concarr, Declan Lally, Darren Daly, Nicky Devereux, Craig Dunleavy, Daithí Ó Murchú, Danny Byrne, Conor Walsh, Ciarán Reddin, Niall Collins, Robbie McCarthy, Harry Dawson, Vinny Whelan, Chris Carthy, Jonathan McDermott, Dean Styles, Luke Sweetman, Hugh Gill.