Unless management consciously didn't want an O'Byrne Cup run - so they can prepare for the league, the team selections are hard to fathom.... we played most of our first team against Wicklow (and hammered them) such as Brendan Murphy, Eoghan Ruth, Barry John Molloy, Sean Gannon, Paul Broderick... and then against Meath (a far stronger team), we put out a fifteen mostly comprised of lads you'd imagine would be second choice (at present at least).... what's the logic there?... anyway, it's good to know that so many unproven players were able to mix it with Meath... I thought Diarmud Walshe played well (should have had a goal too), so that's a positive.
Went to see the footballers last night and to be honest its very hard to watch them play... seems like the same tactics as last year... all players basically retreat to the 45 metre line and create a wall across that line. They depend on the opponents coughing up the ball when they then attack and we also depend on them to retreat back when they lose the ball and we then slowly - unless Sean Murphy gets the ball - make our way up the field.
It does keep the scores down and we do strangulate the opposition to a large extent but we do not create enough scoring chances so it is hard to see how we are going to win games... yes its good to stay in the game but how are we going to win games? That is my first thought on watching again the same style as last year. The entire set of players on view gave it their best shot and they succeeded in getting Meath to give up a lot of possession in the first half in particular. When Meath brought in a few subs in the second half we struggled to get a block on their players and they got some good points. We had a goal chance or two and were unlucky not to score. But with just one real forward close to their goal... very hard to get in consistent attacks to score. To be fair - we used a lot of subs and all players played to the system so at least they are all buying into it.
For the last few minutes Meath just kicked the ball across their half back line and midfield area and we just sat back and waited until they decided to attack. But what happens if we are down and the opposition decide to do as Meath did last night...
We are getting harder to beat which is great... a lot of newer players played last night and played to the system well... the real challenges lie ahead in the league. I think we need to attack more and attacking is the best form of defence... obvious that players are fitter than last year which is a real plus. We won very few kick outs when it was kicked long which is a concern... but no Brendan or Gannon or Ruth on show last night and Choo choo was withdrawn early enough.
Replying To carlowman: "Went to see the footballers last night and to be honest its very hard to watch them play... seems like the same tactics as last year... all players basically retreat to the 45 metre line and create a wall across that line. They depend on the opponents coughing up the ball when they then attack and we also depend on them to retreat back when they lose the ball and we then slowly - unless Sean Murphy gets the ball - make our way up the field.
It does keep the scores down and we do strangulate the opposition to a large extent but we do not create enough scoring chances so it is hard to see how we are going to win games... yes its good to stay in the game but how are we going to win games? That is my first thought on watching again the same style as last year. The entire set of players on view gave it their best shot and they succeeded in getting Meath to give up a lot of possession in the first half in particular. When Meath brought in a few subs in the second half we struggled to get a block on their players and they got some good points. We had a goal chance or two and were unlucky not to score. But with just one real forward close to their goal... very hard to get in consistent attacks to score. To be fair - we used a lot of subs and all players played to the system so at least they are all buying into it.
For the last few minutes Meath just kicked the ball across their half back line and midfield area and we just sat back and waited until they decided to attack. But what happens if we are down and the opposition decide to do as Meath did last night...
We are getting harder to beat which is great... a lot of newer players played last night and played to the system well... the real challenges lie ahead in the league. I think we need to attack more and attacking is the best form of defence... obvious that players are fitter than last year which is a real plus. We won very few kick outs when it was kicked long which is a concern... but no Brendan or Gannon or Ruth on show last night and Choo choo was withdrawn early enough."
I agree with a lot of that. However I suppose when you put it in context. We are probably judging them on defensive performances against division 1 and 2 teams. Anytime they have played teams at their own level there have been massive scores. Leitrim in qualifiers. Wexford in champ. It's hard break down the better teams. I suppose the league will be the judgement of where the system is going / gone