Louth and Proud: Louth Meath Recap

Never has a Cliché been more appropriate to describe a game than last nights.

This match truly was a game of two halves!

but that Cliché is wholly appropriate to Louth's performance moreso than Meath's.

Let me explain

In the first half we dominated proceedings and looked very comfortable in doing so.

Our superior fitness levels for this time of year showed as we strung moves together and turned Meath over with great workrate and intensity in the tackle throughout.
The two late changes for Louth Paddy Keenan for David Reid and Shane Lennon for Jim McEnenaney did not really affect the system.

As our forwards Set up the same...

2 men inside (Lenno & Brian White)
2 forty yard's men (Eoin O'Connor came out along side Mark Brennan)
and our wingers very wide and deep (Peach and Andy).

and

the way we attacked was also the same.

Launched by half backs and We boomed long direct balls into danger area's and although with mixed success it is still a work in progress and the potential is there and it adds variety in our attack whilst relieving our defenders also.

We really looked superb in the first half with Eoin O'Connor and Peach kicking two long range points the highlight but in general our forwards were wasteful with the supply of ball they received. Regrettably so.....

Reido Drives Forward. Again.

Ciaran Culligan Photography

2nd Half

We completely went out of the game. Great in depth observation there L&P!!

I've been trying to put my finger on why we did.

And basically what happened was a combination of things...

1. Going in at half time physiologically we may have thought the game was won...we had a cushion of 6 points and it is very hard to shake off that mentality and push on when you come out for the second half.

2. On the pitch we sat back and sure, we did get men behind the ball but that acts as a disguise to really defending and ends up being counterproductive. As well as inviting them come on to us players tend to and didn't track or push out and tackle because, they thought someone else would do it, but the problem occurs when more than one player thinks that. It happens, and that's exactly what happened last night.

However when we get to grips with this style of defending it will improve, along with our organisation and communication and hopefully we will not fall to the trap that just because we have the men back. teething problems I'd like to call it.

and

3. and the most vital one for me was Andy McDonnell, he was off the pitch as he was substituted at half time. Although the loss of his work-rate and link play had a dramatic effect on the game it was the correct decision.

Andy has cemented his place for the league barring injury so there was no need for him to continue.

Plus it allowed management to see other players and what else is available.

Mulligan time, Get it?

Ciaran Culligan Photography

Conclusion

Although we drew this game, it was never about the result.

Alot of positive signs were evident in both halves yes, both halves.

-Neil Gallagher had his best game for Louth. The excellent Cooley shot stopper made numerous saves from point blank range, a penalty save, calm under the high ball and his kick-outs were on the money. Only a deflected shot beat him on the night

-The Newbies have more game time under their belt.

Bernard Mulligan was very composed, he saw off Brian Sheridan at half time forced Peadar Byrne off him and eventually Big Joe Moved in and caused him problems but Bernard was in his second game big Joe would cause all-stars problems. the supply was good and plentiful I'd point fingers elsewhere and not at him.

John Bingham also acquitted himself quite well also. calm and solid debut. keep his man scoreless.

Danny O'Connor came in the end of the first half for Brian White and was starved off possession the whole second half...he's a cert to start sunday now.

and Jackie Agnew came in again during the second half and was a little rash starting him on Sunday will allow him to settle into the game properly.

-We were swamped but we strung together some great counter attacking moves in the second half just bad decision making let us down. At least we were making chances and main reason for this, we just didn't have our main finishers on the pitch.

-We showed character to come back and get the draw but also composure to keep the ball work to the right area that will stand to us and new management come league and summer time.

-Bottom line We didn't lose......Our team is forming and crucially under the new manager, we didn't fold. This will instil belief in the group and the system that the new manager is trying to make them play.

So Longford up next in Drogheda again Sunday.

Meath beat Longford so logically thinking we should beat Longford

but they have had an extra day to recover and we may make some changes in between.

So we will take nothing for granted.