It's that time of the week again...the evening before the Louth team is picked.
Gone are the days of predictability and a settled side.
The only way of knowing the team selected is, if you are training with the team or in the squad and even then, you may have difficulty getting all 15 correct!
There is massive competition for places in the squad....
In training, each player is fighting and pushing each other on for a shot in the side and when they do get selected they are performing to keep their place. Then, even when someone gets introduced they are staking their claim also.
Case in point, Conor Mcguinness and Brian White's call ups and Derek Maguire and Ciaran Byrne's cameo's.
Crucial to the competition and squad morale is win's.
Last Saturday's defeat of Galway has lifted the whole county.
Momentum
We now have a momentum advantage ahead of this weekends Laois game and They have been sitting out in the cold after they lost away to Derry, we must utilise it.
By starting the game well and using our sharpness to get ahead early on.
More on the game when the team is named.
So, for now, I will save myself the embarrassment of naming my own team and wait to hear the team selection with bated breath like the rest of ye. unless, that is, you are Aidan O'Rourke of course!
Thursday 28 February 2013
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Competition Time
Louth and Laois play in Portlaoise 7pm Saturday night as you all know!
but, what you don't know is......
That, The Maldron hotel Portlaoise is the best place to Stay or eat before the Match.
-Just off the M7
-3 minute walk to O Moore Park
-Stir Restaurant @ Maldron Hotel Portlaoise Food Served all day
Special for the Match Early Bird menu 5-7 pm
-Free Car parking
-Special accommodation rates for Louth Supporters
Mention 'Louth and Proud' when booking, to avail of €5 off their accommodation rates on Saturday 2nd March plus Late checkout and 10 % discount on their Sunday Carvery
Visit www.maldronhotelportlaoise.com or call (057) 8695900 for more information
Also on FaceBook, I am running a Competition
Just LIKE the LouthandProud Facebook page and SHARE the post for a chance to WIN Dinner for 2 in their Stir Restaurant!
Best of Luck Winner to be announced 2pm Friday
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Louth Race Night 15th March
Contact your local Louth Panelist or Gerry Reynolds at 086 2607440 for more information
Managerial Merry-GO-Round 2013 Season
As the Season kicked off the Weekend
Majority of Clubs have their house in Order here's the full Managerial Guide
Senior
St Patricks- Fergal Reel
Dreadnots- Paddy Clarke
Cooley Kickhams- Adrian Sheelan/Colin O'Hare
Newtown Blues- Pat mcDonagh
Mattock Rangers- Peadar Gallagher
Kilkerley Emmets- Malachy O'Rourke
O'Connells- Wayne McKeever
O'Raghallaigh's- Mark O'Neill
Naomh Martin- Colm Nally
Dundalk Gaels-Benny McArdle
St Mary's- Mickey McConville
Glyde Rangers- David Martin
Intermediate5
Clan na Gael- Cathal O'Hanlon
St Fechins- Tony Kearney
Geraldine- Eamon McEneaney
Na Piarsaigh- David Thornton
Sean O'Mahony's- Brendan Nordone
Roche Emmetts- Paddy Martin
St Brides-David Reilly
St Mochta's- Billy Lawlor, Stephen Gernon and Nicholas Browne
St Joesph's- Jim Matthews
DYI- Enda Murray
Glen Emmets- Brian Lynch
Naomh Malachi-Mark Gogarty
Junior 7
Sean McDermotts- Ciaran Quinn
Lannleire-Johnny McDonnellOliver Plunket's- Dermot McKenna
Hunterstown Rovers- Tony Finn
Naomh Fionnbara- Martin Crosbie
John Mitchells- Pendergast
St Fechins - Tony Kearney
Dowdashill- Darren Kirwan
Westerns- Paddy McGuinness
Stabannon Parnells-Brendan McConnon & Kevin Donnelly
St Nicholas- Josh Carolan
Wolfe Tones- An Other
St Kevins- Noel Litchfield
Annaghminnon Rovers-Kevin McKeown
Louth Physio Clinic
Are you a Player, Manger, Selector, Committee Member........
Looking For a Physio?
To keep you injury free, your players healthy and the coffers low for the Season?
Then Look no Further than the
We are the Physiotherapists chosen for the Louth GAA Senior Football and Hurling teams 2012 and 2013. To show our support and Loyalty to our county, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss our business and physiotherapy skills that we can provide for your club.
At Louth Physio Clinic, we provide the highest of Standards
-Four Full time Chartered Physiotherapists, both male and Female.
-Experts in injury diagnosis, rehabilitation and return to play time frames.
-Game pre-match, on-field and post match physiotherapy services.
-Pre season player screenings.
-Immediate access to MRI and specialist orthopaedic consultants.
-Open late evenings and weekends.
-Free phone advice.
-Full time reception Staff.
-Flat rate of €35 per physiotherapy session.
We offer a fair price due to the current economic climate to make it easy and affordable for your players recovery at the highest of Standards.
If you would like to discuss this further or set up a meeting
contact Robbie at 042 9394040
or www.louthphysio.ie
and @louthPhysio
located at
45 Barrack St, Dundalk & Upper Mell, Drogheda
Looking For a Physio?
To keep you injury free, your players healthy and the coffers low for the Season?
Then Look no Further than the
We are the Physiotherapists chosen for the Louth GAA Senior Football and Hurling teams 2012 and 2013. To show our support and Loyalty to our county, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss our business and physiotherapy skills that we can provide for your club.
At Louth Physio Clinic, we provide the highest of Standards
-Four Full time Chartered Physiotherapists, both male and Female.
-Experts in injury diagnosis, rehabilitation and return to play time frames.
-Game pre-match, on-field and post match physiotherapy services.
-Pre season player screenings.
-Immediate access to MRI and specialist orthopaedic consultants.
-Open late evenings and weekends.
-Free phone advice.
-Full time reception Staff.
-Flat rate of €35 per physiotherapy session.
We offer a fair price due to the current economic climate to make it easy and affordable for your players recovery at the highest of Standards.
If you would like to discuss this further or set up a meeting
contact Robbie at 042 9394040
or www.louthphysio.ie
and @louthPhysio
located at
45 Barrack St, Dundalk & Upper Mell, Drogheda
Monday 25 February 2013
Galway Recap
Saturday was one of the rare occasions as a Louth fan where you left a game with a warm glow after a great performance the fact that it was a cold snowy Drogheda made the performance even more heartwarming!
Thing is, there is thought behind everything we do.....and we got our rewards.
Team selection
First and foremost the team is picked on form.....no room for reputations all players are selected on merit. If you are not playing well or training adequately you don't get on, simple as. This makes for better squad morale and ultimately a better team ethos.
And it showed any lad that started or came in put in a shift and in todays modern game it is all about the squad and options off the bench as apposed to squeezing our best 15 players on to a field at all times.
Intensity
Its a well known fact that the squad, this year, is training harder than ever before with a greater emphasis on tackling also.
On Saturday the new regime paid off, we tackled like demons all over the pitch, especially in the forwards resulting in turnovers and scores.
In a home game where we had to be as aggressive and misery as possible to use that home advantage, we did so and it broke their paper thin morale.
Game Plan
With every game we are working to a plan and trying to improve on it game by game.
Be it quick Direct ball into the full forward line or moving with pace through the middle
it's not just hit and hope or off the cuff its preplanned and worked on.
and as a byproduct (yes, i said byproduct I can't believe I said it either) the players decision making and kickpassing has improved
Learning Lessons
We've learned from game to game importantly corrected our errors from previous games.
Case in Point, Westmeath. The harsh lessons in Discipline and Ruthlessness were used to effect against Galway we lowered the foul and card count and pushed on until the final whistle.
and finally, a little note that sums up our Preparation and rewards this season.
Debutant Ciaran Byrne warmed up at half time,in match type situations. in the goals he would be shooting into for the second half.
He was introduced.
He did shoot into those goals
He scored.
Small piece of brilliant preparation that contributed to the reward. A win and 2 valuable points
Roll on Laois......our Championship opponents and biggest game of shadowing boxing this year.
Thing is, there is thought behind everything we do.....and we got our rewards.
Team selection
First and foremost the team is picked on form.....no room for reputations all players are selected on merit. If you are not playing well or training adequately you don't get on, simple as. This makes for better squad morale and ultimately a better team ethos.
And it showed any lad that started or came in put in a shift and in todays modern game it is all about the squad and options off the bench as apposed to squeezing our best 15 players on to a field at all times.
Intensity
Its a well known fact that the squad, this year, is training harder than ever before with a greater emphasis on tackling also.
On Saturday the new regime paid off, we tackled like demons all over the pitch, especially in the forwards resulting in turnovers and scores.
In a home game where we had to be as aggressive and misery as possible to use that home advantage, we did so and it broke their paper thin morale.
Game Plan
With every game we are working to a plan and trying to improve on it game by game.
Be it quick Direct ball into the full forward line or moving with pace through the middle
it's not just hit and hope or off the cuff its preplanned and worked on.
and as a byproduct (yes, i said byproduct I can't believe I said it either) the players decision making and kickpassing has improved
Learning Lessons
We've learned from game to game importantly corrected our errors from previous games.
Case in Point, Westmeath. The harsh lessons in Discipline and Ruthlessness were used to effect against Galway we lowered the foul and card count and pushed on until the final whistle.
and finally, a little note that sums up our Preparation and rewards this season.
Debutant Ciaran Byrne warmed up at half time,in match type situations. in the goals he would be shooting into for the second half.
He was introduced.
He did shoot into those goals
He scored.
Small piece of brilliant preparation that contributed to the reward. A win and 2 valuable points
Roll on Laois......our Championship opponents and biggest game of shadowing boxing this year.
Saturday 23 February 2013
Match Ups
The match ups I would like to see happen today......
Louth Team
Louth Team
Neil Gallagher
Defence
John O'Brien, to go Michael Meehan
Dessie Finnegan to mark Michael Martin
Gerard Hoey, to go on Danny Cummins
Physically wise they match up pretty well but, speed of mind, these guys are streets ahead. Also, it is asking a lot of John O'Brien to pick up Meehan not because he is not up to it but so soon in his return, makes the Pops omission even more bizzare.
But, like all defenders the supply to the forwards will determine how well their day is going to go.
Dessie Finnegan to mark Michael Martin
Gerard Hoey, to go on Danny Cummins
Physically wise they match up pretty well but, speed of mind, these guys are streets ahead. Also, it is asking a lot of John O'Brien to pick up Meehan not because he is not up to it but so soon in his return, makes the Pops omission even more bizzare.
But, like all defenders the supply to the forwards will determine how well their day is going to go.
Conor McGuinness to pick up the pacy Sean Denvir
Derek Crilly to roam with Seanie Armstrong
Adrian Reid will pick up Eoin Concannon
We will look to Reido again, to use his pace and attack from deep. Conor McGuinness has been a louth panelist as long as i can remember so he must be doing something right, personally, I’d have some of this years U21's in ahead of him but he gets his chance today to prove me and the general Louth public wrong, lets hope he does.
It will Derek Crilly who will be under the most defensive pressure Sean Armstrong is a classy operator Derek is disciplined enough to be given and task and stick to it lets hope he does today.
Midfield
Paddy Keenan will try to be curbed by Coleman
Mick Fanning will do a marking job on Paul Conroy
May not be our most conventionally midfield but it is balanced and hard working. If Mick Fanning can negate Paul Conroy, it will go along way in helping us get our first 2 points on the board.
Forwards
Andy McDonnell Mark Brennan, Brian White
Gary Sweeney, Gary Sice, Cathal Sweeney
A notable height advantage here on our Part, should be targeted for kickouts workrate of Andy and Mark Brennan badly needed to stop their pacy runners starting attacking moves.
Kevin Rogers, Shane Lennon, Pepe Smith
Jonny Duane, Finian Hanley, Joss Moore
Lennon and Hanley will be a key and fascinating match up, two heavyweights trading blows on the edge of the square.
We usually drop out a forward to play as an extra forty yards, thats fine but we have to be careful here as Jonny Duane could be the man coming out after either Pepe and Rogers.The reason I say this is, Duane played all his football at centre back last season and being familiar out there he could cause us problems.
Friday 22 February 2013
Louth and Sigerson!
Gary O'Hare celebrates the DIT win while fellow Louth man Brian Donnelly for DCU can't believe it!
Great Pic,
DIT won 1-11 to 9
Final tomorrow
Great Pic,
DIT won 1-11 to 9
Final tomorrow
Louth Team
First Declan Kidney now our own Aidan O'Rourke!
Neil Gallagher
Conor McGuinness, Derek Crilly, Adrian Reid,
Paddy Keenan, Mick Fanning,
Andy McDonnell Mark Brennan, Brian White
Kevin Rogers, Shane Lennon, Pepe Smith
The team picked for tomorrow's refixtured game against Galway really didn't spare us the shock factor of an Irish rugby team selection.
With 3 players make their first start of the year and a number of deselections!
The Manager obviously knows something we don't!
what we do know is....
That
Brian Donnelly DCU and Gary O'Hare DIT are involved in the Sigerson cup
that
From the local papers, Ray Finnegan, JP Rooney, Gary Connolly and John Bingham are all out with Injuries
that
4 players have dropped from the original team named to play Galway the game.
Pop Rath
Jim McEnaneny
Darren Clarke
Colm Judge
These omissions provide the most Shock, Pop Rath has been our best inside defender so far this year, Jim McEnaney has shown good form is every game he has been involved in, Darren Clarke is our number one marksmen inside with these two out who takes the free's Brian White? and Finally, Colm Judge makes way also after a fiery start against Westmeath he will still feel he has been harshly dropped.
that
The pecking order has been turned on its head
Ronan Carroll is now behing Brian Donnelly and now, Mick Fanning?
David Reid is now behind Judge, Clarke and now, Rogers and Pepe?
Jaime Carr is now behind the 6 named to start the first day and now Dessie and Conor McGuinness?
Conor Rafferty after starting the last day is well down the pecking order altogether.
that
some players have gone missing,
either that,
or the manager doesn't rate our are just out of form ?
Peach Califf, Cathal Bellew, Eoin O'Connor all Showed promise in the O'Byrne cup and seem to be nowhere near the starting the line up and are possibly just there as a squad filler?
Liam Shevlin, Declan Byrne two players who have suffered most from this new regime, they were regulars last year, this year they are struggling to make an impact.
Summary
The manager has been bold, and once again put the onus on the players to perform.
He obviously liked what he has seen in training over the past few weeks and by showing that no one is safe.
He has firstly, given the new players included a massive confidence boost from his belief to start them in the first place and secondly creating a lot of competition for places.
These two things are important going forward, as every player will feel they have a chance to get on if they train hard and show form and by pushing each other, the whole standard of the squad will improve also.
but and its a big but,
Aidan O'Rourke needs to get a performance out of the players he's picked and the team in general.
and, I think, because these boys can't let him down now, they will have no choice but to perform.
Which, like the Managers outlook is a positive.
Roll on tomorrow!!!
Louth Team
Neil Gallagher
John O'Brien, Dessie Finnegan, Gerard Hoey,
Conor McGuinness, Derek Crilly, Adrian Reid,
Paddy Keenan, Mick Fanning,
Andy McDonnell Mark Brennan, Brian White
Kevin Rogers, Shane Lennon, Pepe Smith
The team picked for tomorrow's refixtured game against Galway really didn't spare us the shock factor of an Irish rugby team selection.
With 3 players make their first start of the year and a number of deselections!
The Manager obviously knows something we don't!
what we do know is....
That
Brian Donnelly DCU and Gary O'Hare DIT are involved in the Sigerson cup
that
From the local papers, Ray Finnegan, JP Rooney, Gary Connolly and John Bingham are all out with Injuries
that
4 players have dropped from the original team named to play Galway the game.
Pop Rath
Jim McEnaneny
Darren Clarke
Colm Judge
These omissions provide the most Shock, Pop Rath has been our best inside defender so far this year, Jim McEnaney has shown good form is every game he has been involved in, Darren Clarke is our number one marksmen inside with these two out who takes the free's Brian White? and Finally, Colm Judge makes way also after a fiery start against Westmeath he will still feel he has been harshly dropped.
that
The pecking order has been turned on its head
Ronan Carroll is now behing Brian Donnelly and now, Mick Fanning?
David Reid is now behind Judge, Clarke and now, Rogers and Pepe?
Jaime Carr is now behind the 6 named to start the first day and now Dessie and Conor McGuinness?
Conor Rafferty after starting the last day is well down the pecking order altogether.
that
some players have gone missing,
either that,
or the manager doesn't rate our are just out of form ?
Peach Califf, Cathal Bellew, Eoin O'Connor all Showed promise in the O'Byrne cup and seem to be nowhere near the starting the line up and are possibly just there as a squad filler?
Liam Shevlin, Declan Byrne two players who have suffered most from this new regime, they were regulars last year, this year they are struggling to make an impact.
Summary
The manager has been bold, and once again put the onus on the players to perform.
He obviously liked what he has seen in training over the past few weeks and by showing that no one is safe.
He has firstly, given the new players included a massive confidence boost from his belief to start them in the first place and secondly creating a lot of competition for places.
These two things are important going forward, as every player will feel they have a chance to get on if they train hard and show form and by pushing each other, the whole standard of the squad will improve also.
but and its a big but,
Aidan O'Rourke needs to get a performance out of the players he's picked and the team in general.
and, I think, because these boys can't let him down now, they will have no choice but to perform.
Which, like the Managers outlook is a positive.
Roll on tomorrow!!!
Thursday 21 February 2013
Gaillimh Team Louth Dream
Sooooo the game we've all forgotten......Galway in Drogheda Saturday 2.30pm
Galway make a couple of changes from the team they named for the first day Cathal Sweeney starts instead of Gary O'Donnell who played CB for Connacht last weekend.
Fintan O'Curraoin like Brian Donnelly and Gary O'Hare will not be available due to Sigerson cup commitments (what happens if they are beaten on Friday? do they play? well, considering DIT play DCU)
Paul Conroy comes in and possibly benifeted the most from the postponement he was named on the bench for the original game and also played last week for connacht and impressively scored 1-5 from Full forward 1-4 from play!
here's the Galway team in full
1. Manus Breathnach
2. Johnny Duane 3. Finian Hanley 4. Joss Moore
5. Cathal Sweeney 6. Gary Sice 7. Gary Sweeney
8. Niall Coleman 9. Paul Conroy
10. Eoin Concannon 11. Michael Martin 12. Sean Denvir
13. Sean Armstrong 14. Michael Meehan 15. Danny Cummins
Ronan Carroll and Jamie Carr will more than likey come in.
Neil Gallagher
John O'Brien, Derek Crilly ,Adrian Reid ,
Paddy Keenan,Brian Donnelly,Ronan Carroll
Andy McDonnell Mark Brennan, Jim McEnaneny
Darren Clarke, Shane Lennon, Colm Judge
Galway make a couple of changes from the team they named for the first day Cathal Sweeney starts instead of Gary O'Donnell who played CB for Connacht last weekend.
Fintan O'Curraoin like Brian Donnelly and Gary O'Hare will not be available due to Sigerson cup commitments (what happens if they are beaten on Friday? do they play? well, considering DIT play DCU)
Paul Conroy comes in and possibly benifeted the most from the postponement he was named on the bench for the original game and also played last week for connacht and impressively scored 1-5 from Full forward 1-4 from play!
here's the Galway team in full
1. Manus Breathnach
2. Johnny Duane 3. Finian Hanley 4. Joss Moore
5. Cathal Sweeney 6. Gary Sice 7. Gary Sweeney
8. Niall Coleman 9. Paul Conroy
10. Eoin Concannon 11. Michael Martin 12. Sean Denvir
13. Sean Armstrong 14. Michael Meehan 15. Danny Cummins
Scary forward line is still in tact and probly 2 weeks sharper...yikes
Louth Dream
Louth team will possibly be named tonight after training.
With no real injury worries it looks like we are only missing the Sigerson pair but as they are playing each other one could become available but playing a game and travelling from Athlone the day before means we will effectively have to plan without.
Louth Team
Neil Gallagher
Pop Rath ,Gary O'HareJaime Carr, Gerard Hoey,
John O'Brien, Derek Crilly ,Adrian Reid ,
Paddy Keenan,
Andy McDonnell Mark Brennan, Jim McEnaneny
Darren Clarke, Shane Lennon, Colm Judge
more on the team that is named tomorrow
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