Friday Night Lights: Louth U21 Final 2012

It's that time of year again.....When our most promising players are playing in the most uncompromising conditions.


A cold, miserable night awaits our men of the future and you can't but wonder why young lads drift away from the game.


We just don't make it easy on them. do we?


However, no matter the timing and conditions of the competition, the cream always rises to the top and the final pairing of Geraldines and St Brides shows that.



Commitment is often understated and at this grade it makes you successful. To get to an Under 21 final you need it more than anything. So full credit to both sides involved.



The game itself promises to warm the supporters that do go, with an array of class players on show.
5 of this seasons Louth Leinster under finalist squad will feature tonight and 4 were on the starting team in the final.



Paddy Reilly from the Brides and rest Geraldines men. Tiernan Hand, Shane O’Hanlon, Barry Hamilton and Stephen Reidy.


Ironically the player most used to Floodlight action might have a huge bearing on the game, Johnny Breen, off season Dundalk FC player came off the bench in previous rounds for the Haggardstown men and is a very talented player by all accounts. he could be the deciding factor.



The Brides also have a mercurial talent themselves, Cathal McKenna, name sound familar? it is should do...he gave the most outstanding display of the whole 2011 season scoring 10 points in the minor final.


Who did they beat that day? The Geraldines!


So tonight's game has all the factors to make a great spectacle of football. Regardless of the under 21 competition being a super competition full of high octane open football anyway.
There is history between the two sides, class players on show and usually finals bring the out even more drama.


"Clear eyes, full hearts...Can't lose."



Best of Luck to both sides.

Kick off 8PM, CoE Darver 


I'll definitely have half time, full time Updates @LouthProud

Minor Matters Louth Minor Final 2012

Background


In years to come this will be known as the minor final that was held up, delayed and played in a bitterly cold November Sunday. However, the game itself was well worth the wait.

Majority of the delay was focused on the combination side, who won the Semi final but the Clan's weren't satisfied it was a legitimate win.

So after numerous appeal failures the O'Connells, St Joesphs and Stabannon Parnells side eventially got the green light and you feel the added pressure and distraction got to the favourites a little.

Like a penalty taker who has too much time to think about scoring and becomes unnerved and inevitably misses.

Nerves


The Combination side started the game well, an early Score from Craig Doherty and numerous attacks in the Plunkett's half you would think see them settle. But, their frustrations and missed chances seemed to panic them even further.

The Plunketts on the other-hand grew in confidence as a counter attacking team by nature. They were well able to soak up the pressure and use the pace of Hurley on the Forty and roaming corner forward Aaron Kirwan to mount their attacks. 

But, Luke Haggans was the key to their attacks, The full forward introduced himself to the game and the county with a sweetly struck left footed free kick on the right hand side that sailed over with ease like the motion in which he kicked it. 

After the opening Quarter, the Plunketts were surprisingly leading 0-2 to 0-1 

Momentum 


Craig Doherty again Popped up for the Combo Side to level but that was a good as it got for the trilogy in the first half.

As the tide well and truly turned, the Plunketts began to believe in themselves bit by bit and Haggans injected their confidence further by finishing a long dangerous ball across the goal, Soccer Style. 

Its not as if the Combination side weren't feeling flat enough already!!

The supreme poacher he is, He read the ball brilliantly and forced himself to get on the end of it before anybody else, to side foot the ball, on the volley, to the roof of the net.

The busy Aaron Kirwan then tagged on a point soon after, finishing a well worked move from the back before Haggins had the final say on the half. Booming over a long range free.

The Plunketts did not want the half to end.


Half Time 1-4 to 0-2


Panic
 
The Combination men came out after the stern half time words and dominated the opening Quarter. However, instead of taking their points, They went for goal after goal and it was after 14 heated minutes into the half before they got the opening score, the inevitable goal. 


The Combination sides main men Cian Doyle and Robert Quigley swapped at half time.
Doyle going full forward and Quigley playing out the field. They were frustrated greatly by their markers Tadhg O'Brien and Podge McHugh just when you think they were going to take over they were harried into taking the wrong option and forced into unusual mistakes.

These Key battles typified the game.

As Doyle Kicked a free to leave one between the sides.  

You now felt the favourites would now kick on and win the game. But they didn't. they weren't let.

As it was Haggans again and the Plunketts who fought back in the game in similar counter attacking fashion.

Collecting a long ball with two men around him, he drove at the Drogheda united end goal and was forced wide and actually dispossessed but it did not matter. As he struck the spilled ball across the goalie and their only score for the entire half.

Grandstand

The goal was badly needed for the men from Mell as they were becoming more and more under siege but for the O'Connells/Joe's/Stabannon side it meant they had to work even more harder with time rapidly running out.

After two Cian Doyle free's left two in it, time eventually did run out on them.

Expectancy can make you play flat and make you stick in a lower gear and the more you try, the more nothing will go for you. 

This was the case for many of the talented players on the combination side.

The Plunketts on the otherhand were worthy Larry Murray Cup winners. 

They defended bravely. Countered intelligently. and in Man of the Match 
Goal Goal Haggans finished clinically. 



Just shows with finals, they are all on the day and even if it is a delayed day.


Full Time
Oliver Plunketts 2-4 
O'Connells/St Joesph's/Stabannon Parnells 1-5 


  Frank "Snag" Taaffe R.I.P.

Whirlwind

It has been a pretty momentous last past couple days for Louth GAA.


Lots of our questions have been answered




On the Pitch: O'Connells reached the Leinster Intermediate Club final.

Future Pitch: David Reilly is new Louth U21 manager with Stephen Melia and Ollie McDonnell as Selectors

Off the Pitch: We secured a new Sponsor Morgan Fuels to a 3 year deal

On the Rails: New Louth Jersey to be ready for the Christmas market


In the doom and gloom climate we are subjected to daily the Future of Louth GAA is looking surprisingly optimistic 

LouthTUBE Vol 1 Ep 1

Alot of Pats fans might be still sore and disappointed after Sundays tough loss to Sarsfields in Newbridge and in need of some cheering up.

Hopefully this Video eases the pain.....

Subscribe to the LouthandProud Youtube Channel now

Louth Jersey 2013 Investigation

 A lot of you have been asking about the Louth jersey for the 2013.

So, I decided to investigate on your behalf.


Firstly I went straight to 

Here's the Proof  

 

Here's what I Said

''Hi there

As Louth's number 1 blog I get a number of queries regarding Louth GAA.

Recently, a large number of Louth supporters have comer to me asking about the Louth senior teams in both hurling and football's jersey for next season.

Possibly with an eye to Christmas or blatant enthusiasm for your product.

be it the design, new sponsor or even verification that we are getting a new jersey for 2013 season.

can you shed some light on this?

Thanks
L&P''

The Ball is now in your hands O'Neills......

I have also Tweeted @oneills1918 and I suggest you Click to Retweet also for a swift reply.

Final step was also a mail to the Louth County Board.

That, has also been done.

We.Now, Must play the waiting game. 

Thanks for reading 

Dixon Cup Breakdown

The Dixon cup has come and gone......

but, for those of you that think it was waste of time.

Here's the facts......


1 Cup

2 Nights

60 Players Took part

0 Pats and O'Connell's men involved yet

9 Players from the two clubs still in Leinster.
I reckon will be looked at or involved at some stage. (ask for details)

26 Already on Louth Training panel

26 Strong, Under 21 Panel with potential to be involved



Bottom line.


121 Players showed they want to play for their County.




that. Alone.

speaks volumes

The Trialist

It's that time of year, lads all over the county have been asked to go for trials.

Trials!? i hear you say, is that where lads in flashy white boots make a name for themselves?, mates pass to their mates?, the subtle good player things are left unnoticed? every man for himself in a scrappy game of 5 quarters of players who don't know each other!? 

yep. trials. 

However flawed trials maybe, there is always the opportunity there and under new management you could do one thing that catches their eye and that's why they are still in use.

Before the players are actually on the field, they all go through the same thing.

Being asked.

First comes the delight.

The moment you are asked you instantly turn back into the 8 year old with the plastic champion ball, with red jersey, AIBP slapped across the front and the imagination of being Stefan White in Croke Park. last minute. all Ireland final, you know the drill.  (Stefan White was DE MAN when I was 8, had the swagger and took all the glory an 8 year Olds dream)

But then comes the weighing up process.

Am I good enough?

Have I the time?

Jez am i even fit enough to play a trial

What will my friends and family think?

i'm just coming off a cold!

The doubt. Bascially.

Others choose not to go, maybe they can't commit or are too scarred from trials past but inevitably most lads asked go.

Why? because it is so hard to turn the County down - plus, if you don't go you are letting the 8 year old inside you down. 

You forget all the doubts for the dream. 

We all want to play for your county put in the hard graft, improve as a footballer. represent the jersey with pride that's why we do it. 

It being, A November night, possibly getting off work early, forgetting prior commitments to go, a warm fire and avoiding rejection of not getting picked.

So, as the friends and family wave the players off they'll say.

''No Regrets.''

and the 8 year old inside everyone of them intends not to have any....