U21s came so close
December 30, 2010Louth met Wexford in the first round of the 2010 Leinster U21 FC at Dowdallshill on Saturday afternoon, February 20 Preparations went well - manager Kieran Maguire had led his team to impressive wins over the likes of Sligo, Queens University, Monaghan and Mayobridge in challenge games, while the Wee County U21s also showed up well in defeat to DCU and Armagh.
The Reds were without long-term absentees Gerry Hoey, Eoin O'Connor and Peter Nixon but the manager was full of confidence, commenting in the run-up to the provincial opener: "I know all managers say it, but they're a great bunch of lads. They've worked very hard and they've come on in leaps and bounds over the past couple of months."
Maguire's optimism was well-placed as the Wee County belied their atrocious underage record with a magnificent 4-16 to 0-8 victory. The visitors scored the first two points, but the Wee County never looked back after Derek Maguire's fifth-minute goal gave them the lead for the first time. Louth tagged on several points before Paraic Smith hit a second goal to ease them into a 2-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.
The second half was even more one-sided as Louth cruised to a quarter-final meeting with holders Dublin. The home side were awarded two penalties, both of which were successfully converted by Geraldines clubman Jim McEneaney, who struck 2-3 from placed balls.
Louth - 2010 Leinster U21 FC V Wexford: C Lynch; P Bannon, D Byrne, M Woods; J Craven, L Shevlin, J Clarke (0-1); C O'Hanlon (0-1), J Califf (0-2, both frees); A McDonnell, J McEneaney (2-3, two pens, three frees), D Maguire (1-1); K Rogers (0-4, two frees), P Smith (1-1), N Conlon (0-1). Subs: B O'Hare (0-1) for McDonnell (49 mins), D O'Connor for Maguire (50 mins), S McCann (0-1) for McEneaney (52 mins), D Moloney for Shevlin (54 mins), M Rogers for Califf (55 mins).
The manager was, needless to say, delighted with the performance and looking forward to the Dublin game: "You can only play what is put in front of you. Dublin will be a far different kettle of fish but I honestly think these boys have the mettle for it. These lads are probably different than previous U21 teams in that they have bottle and ability. And they know they have it - that's the difference."
Maguire insisted that, despite going into the quarter-final as underdogs, Louth would not be overawed or intimidated by Dublin. The Wee County had been brushed aside by the Dubs twelve months earlier but there was no chance of a repeat of that scenario: "You have to put things into perspective. We are not naive and we do not expect the game to be as easy as the last one. But there is something about this team; they have the mental attitude and they certainly will not be overawed by Dublin. This might have happened in the last few years, where teams lining out against Dublin would already be mentally three or four points down just because it was Dublin. That will not happen with this team as we do not rely on one or two players to play well and win us the game. People always think that Dublin are a good team because of what they have done in the past. We will be taking them for what they are now - not what they were."
As it transpired, the young Reds stood toe-to-toe with their more-esteemed neighbours all the way - and should have beaten them at St Brigid's Park on Saturday March 6. The final scoreline of 1-14 to 1-8 after extra time doesn't even come close to telling the full story of this closely-contested match. Louth controlled much of the first half but Dean Rock's goal had them behind by a point, 1-2 to 0-4. The winners were reduced to 14 men seven minutes into the second half and a Jim McEneaney goal had the hosts three points ahead in the third quarter. However, Dublin forced extra time with two late points and - restored to the full complement - they made the most of their let-off by bossing the additional periods on the scoreboard.
After watching his brave charges come so close to a famous win, manager Maguire was crestfallen: "Of course it's a tough one to take. A bit of a rub of the green on the day might have changed things a lot. It's unfortunate but it's typical of Louth: also-rans. I honestly thought these boys could come through this. The boys worked so hard out there. They kept at it and were never beat. I couldn't have asked any more of them. They are a great bunch of fellas and work so hard. I couldn't be more proud of them. The referee didn't so us any favours. Now, I'm not saying he beat us but you could see what was going on. That's football for you. You just have to take what comes. It's just one of those things. We never seem to get that bit of luck to get into the next round."
Louth - 2010 Leinster U21 FC quarter-final V Dublin: Craig Lynch; Padraig Bannon, Declan Byrne, Michael Woods; James Craven, Liam Shevlin, Jason Clarke; Conal O'Hanlon, James Califf (0-3); Andrew McDonnell, Jim McEneaney (1-2), Derek Maguire; Kevin Rogers, Paraic Smith (0-1), Niall Conlon (captain, 0-1). Subs: Peter Nixon, Sean McCann, Barry O'Hare (0-1), David Maloney, Shane Hanlon, David O'Brien.
Louth had come frustratingly close against the Dubs. As well as being pegged back right at the end of normal time, they were also cursing their luck when Roche clubman Barry O'Hare struck a post six minutes from the end of extra time, with just a point in it at that stage. The stark statistic that Louth have gone almost 30 years without provincial success at this level seems somehow unfair on this team, which was well-prepared and packed with talent but just unable to get to the winning post.
James Califf's free had the Reds off to a wonderful start but they conceded a goal to Rock almost immediately. Niall Conlon and Jim McEneaney added to the hosts' tally while Dublin hit a succession of wides. Liam Shevlin denied Dublin a second goal with a dramatic 23rd-minute intervention. The sending-off changed the complexion of the game: McEneaney's 41st-minute goal had the Wee County in front and points followed from the No.11 and Califf. Barry O'Hare hit the 'insurance' point with stoppage time approaching but the 14 men mustered two late points to save the day. There were only two points in the first period of extra time - both going to the visitors. Paraic Smith halved the deficit two minutes after the restart but O'Hare's unlucky miss a couple of minutes later cooked the goose as the Dubs took heart and pulled away.
It had been different against the Model County at the same venue a fortnight earlier. The first-round encounter was played in Arctic conditions and Louth were full value for their 20-point margin of victory. With senior panellists Andy McDonnell, Declan Byrne, Derek Maguire and Paraic Smith all on board, the Reds dominated from the off. Wexford had two early points on the board but a seventh-minute Maguire goal put them in their place. After Wexford levelled, Louth had quickfire points from Jim McEneaney (2) and James Califf. When Kevin Rogers tapped over his fourth point in the 29th minute, the winners had moved nine points clear. Smith added an injury-time goal and a late Wexford point barely glossed the half-time scoreboard: Louth 2-9, Wexford 0-4. McEneaney added two penalties after the restart as Louth eased to a quarter-final meeting with Dublin. Tweet
