AFC
Agree 100% with that analysis of the performances AFC.
There are probably about 4 places up for grabs for the starting 15. McNulty or Bellew in the backline. Toner probably the best bet alongside McGrane. There are a few interesting options in the half forward line now. Martin O'Rourke is a certain starter. Paddy McKeever, being Paddy McKeever, didn't build on his performance from last week so that muddies things a bit. It's probably a case of getting the balance right between power and guile here, i.e. a line with Brian Mallon and Stephen Kernan together wouldn't work. Maybe O'Rourke/McKeever/Kernan or alternatively Vernon/O'Rourke/Kernan. Injuries and the opposition may dictate things with this line. Big question mark over who's going to play no. 15. Any one of McConville, Kernan, Mallon, O'Rourke. McConville's not going to provide any movement, but is still very handy with the ball into his chest. Brian Mallon would bring a lot of energy, probably dropping a bit deeper. Wasn't overly impressed with the younger O'Rourke yesterday, nor what i've seen of him in some of the bigger club games in recent years. Tends to go missing a bit, and there's a big question mark over his size and ability to deal with the physical side of things. Again, like McConville, he needs the right type of ball going into, pinpoint. Peter McDonnell has a couple of hard decisions to make but he has a few options open to him, and there are players to come off the bench with different styles about them to change things if need be. I'm quite optimistic about the year ahead. There are some very good players coming through and the team is capable of playing some really good football. Just need to get the balance right in the forwards and cut down on the soft goals being conceded.
QuoteAn odd game between two teams with nothing to play for. In fact, i'm nearly glad of the bit of niggle in the last 15 minutes because it added some much needed intensity.
To the team:
McKinney - Didn't have much to do. Poor kick outs to our non-existent midfield, should have tried a few short ones.
Kernan - Again, not much to do and he was ordinary enough when called upon. Won't start come championship.
Bellew - Great to see him back. Looked a bit more up to speed than against Meath a few weeks ago. Needs games, games, games in the next two months.
Moriarty - Spectacularly ordinary once again.
McKeever - Continued to develop into one of the most complete defenders in the country.
O'Rourke - Why on earth was this man off the panel last year? Superb reader of the game and can take a score when the opportunity arises. Nicked a point today.
Kernan - Great going forward as usual. Unfortunate to be sent off for 2 yellows, the second of which was for some unnecessary off the ball antics.
McGrane - Carried whatever midfield threat we had on his own. Not the force of old and needs a partner from somewhere.
McKenna - Scored a point, but didn't do a lot else. Its asking too much of him too soon to make the step up. Needs about two years of weights training.
Vernon - Powerful running that won us two frees, which were subsequently put over. Still fumbling a lot of ball for some reason.
McKeever - The success story of the league for me. Has shown well in the last two games and his free taking has improved immeasurably. Has to start CHF for the championship.
Mallon - Looked good in the opening exchanges before going off injured after about 20 minutes.
O'Rourke - Similar level of performance to what T Kernan has been showing in previous games. Scored a point but missed a few too.
Swift - Showed well and won his fair safe of ball but was poor when he got it. Kicked a couple of wides and his lay off weren't as accurate and fluent as Clarke's.
McConville - Seems to have lost a bit of pace and power but if he's on the end of good accurate passes he'll still put the ball over from anywhere. Scored a great point from out on the sideline.
O'Rourke - Came on early for Mallon and was his usual busy self. That stamp near the end looked painful.
Loughran - On for Vernon and played around the middle. Was absolutely anonymous, not worth any more chances.
A Mallon - On for Moriarty. Good to see him back, need him fit for the championship.
Clarke - On late for Swift presumably to improve his fitness further, no real impact.
McDonnell - On late for O'Rourke and hit a lovely point in injury time to level the match.
Agree 100% with that analysis of the performances AFC.
There are probably about 4 places up for grabs for the starting 15. McNulty or Bellew in the backline. Toner probably the best bet alongside McGrane. There are a few interesting options in the half forward line now. Martin O'Rourke is a certain starter. Paddy McKeever, being Paddy McKeever, didn't build on his performance from last week so that muddies things a bit. It's probably a case of getting the balance right between power and guile here, i.e. a line with Brian Mallon and Stephen Kernan together wouldn't work. Maybe O'Rourke/McKeever/Kernan or alternatively Vernon/O'Rourke/Kernan. Injuries and the opposition may dictate things with this line. Big question mark over who's going to play no. 15. Any one of McConville, Kernan, Mallon, O'Rourke. McConville's not going to provide any movement, but is still very handy with the ball into his chest. Brian Mallon would bring a lot of energy, probably dropping a bit deeper. Wasn't overly impressed with the younger O'Rourke yesterday, nor what i've seen of him in some of the bigger club games in recent years. Tends to go missing a bit, and there's a big question mark over his size and ability to deal with the physical side of things. Again, like McConville, he needs the right type of ball going into, pinpoint. Peter McDonnell has a couple of hard decisions to make but he has a few options open to him, and there are players to come off the bench with different styles about them to change things if need be. I'm quite optimistic about the year ahead. There are some very good players coming through and the team is capable of playing some really good football. Just need to get the balance right in the forwards and cut down on the soft goals being conceded.