Leinster U21 Championsip 2012

[shark]

I thought that Westmeath team were highly fancied? How many Dublin minors of last year on that team?

Ah not really, it was last year that Westmeath had their best chance. Travelled more in hope tonight.

[Onlooker]

I thought that Westmeath team were highly fancied? How many Dublin minors of last year on that team?

3 of last year's minors on the Dublin team - McCaffrey, O Conghaile and Kilkenny.

[AZOffaly]

Well done to Louth. Hard luck to our lads, but wins over Kildare and Meath have at least given a bit of a lift to the county. Up to the Seniors to pick up the flag now.

[Bord na Mona man]

It was one of those nights for Offaly. The first half started fairly evenly, before Louth gradually started to get on top. The big difference was that they stuck over much more of their chances. Offaly hit wides, some of them bad and dropped 4 or 5 into the keeper's hands.

It was 0-6 to 0-1 at half time, but Offaly really should have had 3 or 4 on the board.

If you were to fault Offaly, it was that Louth ran through them a bit to easily. Perhaps this is where Navan being slightly bigger than Gracefield told on Offaly's defence. Louth committed men forward very quickly when on the attack. The had several strong ball carriers, who Offaly didn't manage to close down or slow down. Their inside forward were able to win the balls played in and lay it off to an incoming runner.

At the other end, Offaly's tactics were withdraw the half forward line, kick it in to the inside forwards and let them battle it out with the Louth full back line. It worked to a point, in that the likes of Allen, Sullivan, Cullen were beating their men to the ball consistantly, however a lot of their shots were taken under pressure, hence the drop shorts, wides and post hits.

2nd half, Offaly missed another point attempt from the throw in and Louth broke down the field to make it 7-1. They tacked on 2 quick points and it was starting to look like Offaly's heads were going to drop and it would turn into a cake walk. Thankfulyl this is when Offaly showed huge character. Once they finally got a couple of points on the board, they really pinned back their ears and gave it a real rattle.

Soon Louth were commiting loads of panic fouls when Offaly looked like breaking upfield. A lot of Louth players also looked wrecked after their first half exertions. The high ball in to the full forward line worked better as Offaly won a lot of possession directly, or from the breaks.
The Louth keeper made one great full stretch save and was also quick off his line to make a brave block. When Offaly did rattle the net, the ref pulled the play back as he had hastily blown the whistle for a foul as the ball was being struck, instead of giving advantage.

Offaly got it back to 9-8 but just never got the vital equaliser. Louth made it 10-8 with the last kick of the game. They hadn't scored for about 25 minutes. In some ways this score was relief as it meant there would be less need for soul searching from any Offaly player over any particular incident in the game.

[Dinny Breen]

(Half Time) Dublin 1-7 Louth 0-4

[Dinny Breen]

(Full Time) Dublin 1-16 Louth 0-8

Congrats to Dublin. Just the 1-07 from Kilkenny tonight.

[Captain Obvious]

Well done to Dubin three Leinster U-21 titles in four years, in fairness the competition could be better.

[heffo]

Hopefully the DCB can arrange with the Dept of Foreign Affairs to have Ciaran Kilkenny's passport recinded.

[boro]

Congrats to Dublin. Still a bit sickened they bet us in the first round. They seem to be an exceptional team that are getting better with every match.

[Dinny Breen]

Hopefully the DCB can arrange with the Dept of Foreign Affairs to have Ciaran Kilkenny's passport recinded.

Is he definitely going? Some talent, with his ability you'd expect him to be a success in the AFL.

[heffo]

Hopefully the DCB can arrange with the Dept of Foreign Affairs to have Ciaran Kilkenny's passport recinded.

Is he definitely going? Some talent, with his ability you'd expect him to be a success in the AFL.

Not definite yet - DCB are working on it.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Is he still playing hurling as well?

He's some talent.

[INDIANA]

Hopefully the DCB can arrange with the Dept of Foreign Affairs to have Ciaran Kilkenny's passport recinded.

Is he definitely going? Some talent, with his ability you'd expect him to be a success in the AFL.

Not definite yet - DCB are working on it.

They'd want to work fast because I've heard two members of the side have signed pre-contracts with AFL clubs. Him being one of them.