and my, hasn't been bold and gone all in with team Selection!
Goalkeeper
1. Neil Gallagher
Reaction: As predicted, Best keeper in Louth, no brainer.
Full Back LIne
2. Pop Rath 3. Dessie Finnegan 4. Gary O'Hare
Reaction: Pop starts and will pick up Glennon again.
So their will be a league debutant..... but,it won't be John Bingham! It will be Gary O'Hare from Na Piarsaigh. If you don't know him he'll be the dark haired lad with his socks pulled up. A fiercely determined defender that goes right to the edge of the rule book, exactly what you want from a corner back! He's held down a place in the highly fancied DIT university team this year so he has the ability. The temperament to play national league on his debut is the gamble but it won't be from the lack of trying from the Dundalk man.
So Dessie starts at full back and Management I feel are making a clever statement. publically backing Dessie. First game of the year and you are our full back for the season.
I would worry though, with the pace and mobility of their inside line of Westmeath, Dessie might be exposed a little.
Half Back Line
5.Gerard Hoey 6. Derek Crilly 7. Adrian Reid
Reaction: As predicted, The Whole reason behind the Adrian Reid half back experiment was for him to exploit opposition defensive wing forwards. Sunday will be the perfect platform to attack, attack and attack some more! Hopefully causing them to change their game plan. The Same goes for Crilly on the other flank. Liam will hold the middle at centre back and will have his hands full with McCormack. if Liam doesn't pull through, Derek goes Centre half, and Gerry Hoey comes in Right half not ideal in this crucial game as Derek hasn't convinced at 6 but has the potential, shame he got injured there during the O'Byrne cup campaign.
Midfield
8. Paddy Keenan 9. Brian Donnelly
Reasons: Another College apostle comes in from the blue, having played no part with Louth in the O'Byrne cup, DCU's Brian Donnelly makes his first start for Louth this year.
Paddy was one of my Certs to start, so what I said yesterday still applies.
"PK wasn't right for the first championship game in Navan last year and missed the qualifer exit....so he'll be chomping at the bit to match up with Bannon and Heslin."
Having Donnelly alongside him now, reestablishes last years league midfield and it gives them another chance to develop their partnership further.
Ronan Carroll's inconsistencies probably let him down but, a great option to come off the bench anyway and now with a point to prove will make him an even more healthy option.
Half Forward Line
10. Andy McDonnell 11. Jim McEneaney 12. Conor Rafferty
Reasons: Firstly, Great to see Andy starting, massive boost for the team and himself!
From my predicted line yesterday, Peach misses out. I think I know the reason why. I mentioned yesterday that the with Peach there, the line looked very balanced with a number of options. When, in hindsight, it lacked a defensive edge that's my explanation for why Conor Rafferty is there and in ahead of Brian White also.
Jim starting, is a great opportunity for him to set his stall and make the position his own. He will have his hands full tracking Paul Sharry's driving runs but Jim can play from deep and possesses the foot passing ability to orchestrate the forward line from all over the pitch. and further more backs up Rafferty's reason for selection.
Exciting to see how this line gets on.
Full Forward Line
13. Colm Judge 14. Shane Lennon 15. Kevin Rogers
WOW, the boldest selection choices by the new management so far.
Shane Lennon is a corner stone on the edge of the square literally, at this stage.
But,Maybe the absence of Darren Clarke to suspension has forced his hand a small bit but, the dropping of David Reid, yes dropping as he was a regular and playing his best football for Louth is a major shock. especially as it is not just the returning Colm Judge who gets in ahead of him but Naomh Malachi's debutant Kevin Rogers also.
Judge was on fire last year for the blues and Kevin Rogers is an accurate left footer with size...they will both feel that they owe the management something so that will hopefully bring the best out in them. Who will go out as the second forty yards? is my only concern. Judge plays well with Lennon and Rogers lacks a wee bit of pace.
It is bold but I like it! here's why!
David Reid and, to a lesser extent Eoin O'Connor who are great options to come in and offer something different off the bench will be fuelled with something to prove most if they do get on also.
It's win-win for the management also, if they play well Darren Clarke, (my cert to start) will have to fight to get back in for a place also! Brilliant!
Louth team in Full
1. Neil Gallagher
2. Pop Rath 3. Dessie Finnegan 4. Gary O'Hare
2. Pop Rath 3. Dessie Finnegan 4. Gary O'Hare
5.Gerard Hoey 6. Derek Crilly 7. Adrian Reid
8. Paddy Keenan 9. Brian Donnelly
10. Andy McDonnell 11. Jim McEneaney 12. Conor Rafferty
13. Colm Judge 14. Shane Lennon 15. Kevin Rogers
The thing that strikes me most about this team is the not the team itself but the possible options we have to come in. It's very positive.
The competition for places will drive us a better standard and management can use the league further to build a squad and find our best team and formula's for Laois in the championship.
Really Looking forward to Sunday now.
NFL NUTSHELL TOMORROW
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