Here's my reasons.
They test you, always. As a result they let you know exactly where you are at...they are the bench mark and ultimately they improve you as a footballer, coach or even as a football fan!!
(Last night in Parnell park the Dubs really get behind the team and used the home advantage so well, they intimidate the opposition, jeering a wide, putting players off with banter and wit from the terrace. They add to the atmosphere by pushing and willing their team on when they are on top, some young fella even had the nous to bring a bodhran with him, stand behind the goals and beat it like a marching drum in the Army when Dublin were building an attack up the field. annoying but effective!)
Now to the game itself.
Concentration
Wet and horrible conditions for football. The drizzle never stopped all evening. They really test you mentally, motivation wise, on why you are even there on a football pitch! and concentration wise, in actually catching the ball and getting your footing!
Overall it just adds to the level of difficulty of playing football.
Furthermore we brought a man back into defence and played it really well. We held our concentration for majority of the game but let it slip at a vital stage. The very end. when the game was won.
It was annoying, as we defended really well all evening. Organised, Disciplined. Picking up runners, communicating well, tackling well. actually it was a masterclass for 55odd minutes.
But thats why I like playing the best, you drop your guard for a second and you are punished.
Daniel Watson was the chief punisher, I spent more time today googling who the hell he was, than the total amount of time he spent on the pitch last night!
Nightly Notables
Alot of people were asking me about the positives of last night's game. Although we lost, the performance was alot better than saturday night and as well as the previously mentioned good defensive play I'm going to single out a few others for praise.
Keith McLaughlin had a real humdinger of a battle with Paul Hudson. Although Hudson kicked 2 from play I reckon it was an even battle. It will bring Keith on some more too. Tigerish in the tackle, pacy he'll stay on the panel this season.
Gary Connolly he seems to be AOR's preferred sweeper and to be fair to him he plays the role really well and did so last night too.
Our debutant on the night Robert Brodigan deserves a mention. The Plunketts man played his first match against the Dubs in Parnell park and didn't look daunted or let himself down either! Fine physique and could be developed football wise. Nice to see AOR show some faith in some youth too. Importantly it will bring him on a ton come March 5th clash with Meath in the Leinster under 21 championship.
On the wings Decie Byrne and Bevan Duffy both put in a ginormous shift. Bevan really came into his own last night his rugby background has him well conditioned for that sort of workload and he grew in confidence as the game went on.
Naomh Martin man Stephen Campbell continues to be sneakily impressive....he's just so busy every time he plays! He tagged on a point for good measure also. His pace and productivity could see him be used as a useful option off the bench or even starting if he maintains his good form.
Forward life line
I know we played with 7 defenders and 5 up top last night, but I still think we are neglecting our attacking play somewhat.
Combine that with personnel problems (Shane Lennon out long term and Ciaran Byrne gone and a host of injuries) our forwards don't seem to be able to produce a high scoring capacity of late.
I will touch on this again come closer to the league.
Derek Maguire got his first run out of the year. Nice to see him back and should start Sunday now and hopefully be ready to carry the scoring burden somewhat.
thanks for reading folks
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