To respond to Mr BufordTJustice

"Good man yourself tb2002ster, any chance you could give me a run down how the Louth lads are doing. Who's playing well and who's not etc etc ?. What players on the Louth team do you think are our biggest asset and why. Do you think the Dowdallshill venue will pose any problems for Dublin ?"

More than happy to share my thoughts on the Louth lads, who I think is playing well, and who our assets are:

Well lets start with Podge Bannon, a fine Collon and Mattock man. Much as I like him, and he was superb for Mattock last year, I worry that he will be overran by either Dean Rock or Barry O'Rourke. That's no reflection on Podge, they are just two class forwards.

O'Hanlon and Califf at midfield did really well the last day, and they will match or beat the Dublin midfield, and that's the area where Louth have the main advantage over Dublin.

Pepe Smith on the square and Rogers and Conlon in the corners will be a serious threat. The Dublin corner backs are probably their Achilles heel in defence, so I especially expect Conlon to shine. He was my man of the match against Wexford. Pepe Smith will have a serious battle on his hands against Rory O'Carroll, this is a guy who has a club all Ireland medal at full back and is going to be the Dublin senior full back this year but pepe knows how to find the net and we need goals if we want to win this one.

Andy McDonnell didn't have the best game the last day, but he has the ability, as he showed for the Seniors against Kildare and Wexford. A big job for him on Saturday is quelling the attacking threat of Johnny Cooper, and this is an aspect of his game that I am unsure about.

On the match itself, Wexford were indisciplined, especially in third man tackles. Dublin wont be and we wont get as many fress. Dublin have 3/4 free takers inh their forwards, we cannot give away cheap frees within shooting distance.

And finally I don't think the Dowdallshill venue will pose any problems for Dublin, why would it? DCU went to Dundalk and won, and they had about 10 supporters with them, There will be a big Dublin travelling contingent at this one.

Anything else?????

tb2002ster (Louth) - Posts: 19 - 03/03/2010 14:52:47    578021

tb2002ster

stop pilfering off the reservoirdubs site and come up with some opinions of your own

Neither quinn will be on the bench.....and nicky Devereux doesn't have an all-ireland club either


stop being a typical narrow minded Louth Fan with absolutely no belief cause we're playing one of leinsters higher powers
if we were all like you we'd struggle to get out of the bed in the morning!!

sledger (Louth) - Posts: 119 - 03/03/2010 16:21:42    578146

Sledger, for your info my knowledge of both Louth and Dublin football is I would consider very high, possibly because I come from Louths best club of the last decade, Mattock Rangers, and I coach a senior club in Dublin. I also coached their Under 21 team to the Dublin Under 21 championship two years ago also. This is a team also which will have a number of players on Saturdays Dublin panel, along with the Dublin Senior panel. Also I would see games in both counties almost every week, including every Louth Senior or Under 21 match when I don't have a match myself.

So I am quite able to express my own opinion, and believe it or not some people on here are capable of thinking intelligently for themselves, even though it may be frowned on here.

R.e. the Quinns, both of them are involved, well they were on Monday night anyway. Although neither played for their clubs last Sunday. One was playing for the Dublin Senior Hurling Development Squad, the other picked up an injury playing for Maynooth last Friday, a game where he shone, were you at it? I was so I can give an opinion.
R.e. Nicky Devereux, this one you are actually correct and I am happy to say so. The Nicky Devereux on the panel is from Ballinteer St John's, I mixed up his club.

tb2002ster (Louth) - Posts: 19 - 03/03/2010 17:16:08    578215

Tb2002ster,thanks mil for all your info,i think you are being a little disingenous to paudge as i for one feel he has great pace.Your prob right about jim,but hes getting fitter with every match.I believe this louth team have a great chance v dubs if they can hold them in the early part of the game and then with the fire power in the forward line,push on for win.By the way are you sure your a mattock man and not a droghdonean.

setanta (Louth) - Posts: 214 - 03/03/2010 18:07:40    578295

I am enjoying the intelligent aspect of this debate

Then why don't you enlighten us with the dublin panel of 24 for sunday, the starting team and the way they are going to play or have you now switched loyaltys That must be the reason your in dublin especially as your running down one of your own....

you've now added another stereotype

a narrow minded louth fan with absolutely no belief cause we're playing one of leinsters higher powers
And
who thinks everything another counties are superior than their own

sledger (Louth) - Posts: 119 - 03/03/2010 18:09:57    578299

Which club tb2002ster ??

MR (Louth) - Posts: 2570 - 03/03/2010 19:42:22    578411

MR,

From the info he's given Ballymun Kickams I'd say.

BufordTJustice (USA) - Posts: 669 - 03/03/2010 19:55:30    578435

MR,

Do you know a Tony from the Collon area with connections to Ballymun

BufordTJustice (USA) - Posts: 669 - 03/03/2010 20:31:19    578529

Tb2002ster. As an intelligent person I'm sure you'll acknowledge that favourites often get beat. A larger pick doesn't ensure a better team. You've spoken of the strenghts of this Louth team and highlighted where you feel we may have competitive advantage. So if the Dubs believe their own hype and expect to meet a similar opposition to last year ..... It's not a huge stretch to believe that we can win. These lads BELIEVE in themselves. Even a pragmatist like yourself will have to conceed that if they apply themselves fully, empty their tanks and work hard for each other, they're in a better place mentally. Ye see, my glass is always half full. I prefer to back the lads and go against the odds, in the knowledge that the underdog can sometimes emerge victorious. I'm not worried about needing to see it before I can back it. All pioneers need a little faith and belief, otherwise things would remain the same and change would never materialise. Go on .... back a Louth win .... Ye know ye want to ;-)

D1orange (Louth) - Posts: 28 - 03/03/2010 20:33:31    578532

well greengrass.. what i ment was the bigger countys groom all there underage structure to be seniors were the smaller countys just seem to be furfilling the role of competing. everyone on here says how excepional the under 21s are... well why are these lads not playing with the seniors. its not as if the seniors are anything special.. so i ask are the 21s as good as people say.(i think they are) or are some people too afraid to give them a chance because its results in the sort term that matter. with the bigger counties when there underage are ready to move through to seniors, thats what happens and sum1 on the seniors loses there place. thats the way of the world. but it doesnt seem to happen with us. we have great underage footballers, so take advantage quick and get them playing senior and shift some dead wood out.

drogheda20 (Louth) - Posts: 405 - 04/03/2010 09:57:28    578718

You have raised a very interesting point Drogheda20 about the need for good results in the short term working against good young players in the smaller counties being introduced to their senior teams. Is Fitzer in a position to play five or six under twenty ones next Sunday? Should he do so and we fail to win two very badly needed points what will be said? Better counties play their young players in the leagues and have them ready to play on a gradual basis in the championship. Can we afford to do that ?

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6180 - 04/03/2010 11:32:26    578799

D1orange, I have not predicted who will win on Saturday but I would love to see Louth win on Saturday. I agree 100% that favorites don't always win, sure if they did we wouldnt bother watching, it would all be predictable and boring.

No matter where you are, or where you live, you never forget where you come from, and that sense of pride never leaves you.
I will be throwing a few quid on Louth, and hoping for the best.

tb2002ster (Louth) - Posts: 19 - 04/03/2010 12:00:41    578829

Dublin page has thread on u21 game referring to O'Hanlon cousins and college football.
How many of the present squad are playing college football. Its an area we have lagged behind in recent years. The preparation and intensity associated with college football really improves young players and can bridge the gap between minor & u21 when some players lose their way.
Best of luck on Saturday

Drogheda Gael (Louth) - Posts: 79 - 04/03/2010 13:07:53    578929

I will also put a few quid on Louth at +10


CON

fatman (Monaghan) - Posts: 353 - 04/03/2010 13:13:34    578937

Im reading this sensible debate with interest.

Im sorry to say im worried for Louth and Louth football in general. DCU beat our seniors with basically a second string team, only 4 of their sigerson final starters. That shows the lack of quality in the county at the moment. As Louth underage teams go this u21 outfit looks like a half decent team, but if you sit back and compare it to whats available to Dublin, we are severely lacking quality. We have a team who in the main have not featured prominently in Leinster schools, Leinster minor semi beaten by Carlow, and only a handful are on fringes of third level teams. Louth had no u21 at the sigerson weekend finals. Not a top quality management either but thats for another day.

I have followed Louth faithfully for many many years and im afraid to say Saturday is yet another day il be going to Dowdallshill more in hope than expectation - il be surprised if its not same old story - Louth battle hard for 20/25 minutes and then get overrun with quality gaps appearing. Does it sound familar ? Seniors U21s Minors most years as far back as i can remember

Dundalk34 (Louth) - Posts: 148 - 04/03/2010 14:26:58    579041

Dundalk34
County: Louth

im worried for Louth and Louth football in general. DCU beat our seniors with basically a second string team

34,

DCU have actually beaten everyone they have played so don't be worried for Louth. By the way the Louth team which played DCU was not our strongest team and remember also it included lads who had played a Leinster U21 championship game the previous day.

Squid

squidword (Louth) - Posts: 2897 - 04/03/2010 15:04:07    579094

exactly greengrass. the management wont risk good young lads and will play the same old in case of defeat. if young talent was givin a chance years before and to the present day i think the would be a more competive structure in place.

drogheda20 (Louth) - Posts: 405 - 04/03/2010 15:04:13    579095

Ahhh guys please. I'm not suggesting that it's going to be easy. But what I'm saying, and most others on this thread acknowledged, is that this panel has real potential. Everybody acknowledges that the Dubs will be a competitive side that will not give up a championship easily. But while I'm happy to agree with that, to make out that it's written in the stars, or that all logic suggests that we can't win is defeatest and the sort of historical assumption that holds no logical basis. 2 quality teams playing for keeps. Louth have the advantage of Dublin comparing them to historical squads. It wouldn't be the 1st time a favorite was turned over!! It's on the day. The team who concentrates on execution and doesn't allow themselves the luxury to consider the outcome/result while the game is still up for grabs will ultimately come away with the spoils. It's not "the same old". It's the brand new. Take a chance .... Back them to change our fortunes .... Show your support here .... Say it .... They can do it, it's possible if they give everything they have.

D1orange (Louth) - Posts: 28 - 04/03/2010 15:25:22    579120

Looking foward to the game at weekend but i am a bit weary because before we had teams that we thought were great and they just floped,so i wouldnt be getting too carried away with this team either because they proved nothing as of yet,and saturday will tll a big tail

wayne10 (Louth) - Posts: 137 - 04/03/2010 15:55:09    579151

should peter duffy not be starting or has he been called up to the senior squad?

donaldo (Meath) - Posts: 352 - 04/03/2010 16:14:10    579180