Leinster u21 Football Championship 2011

[AN other]

I didn't see what Heslin did, others seemed to have and I'd well believe he did something to deserve the red. Massive turning point. Seems to be a bit of a prima donna, plenty of ability but not enough application, possibly no harm that he's away to Ozz.
Can't really blame the ref (Brian O'Shea - Dublin) for loosing the game but he's intolerable. Was "stamping his authority" on the game before the ball was even thrown up at the start by insisting everybody was behind the 45s (I think somebody's shoelace was touching the line). Third time he's refereed a game I've been at, he's one of the worst I've ever seen. Some ridiculous decisions and totally ruined the flow of that game. Could have been a much better game of football.
Flanagan's decision making on the line is terrible.
Heslin stupidly getting sent off had a major influence on the result but Longford hit some great scores towards the end to win it. There's some very good Westmeath footballers on that U21 team and I hope that they can stop the rot a little bit with the seniors. I also hope I never have to see O'Shea with a whistle near his mouth again.

[LaurelEye]

Is this the longford team that won the minor?

From last year's minors: Paddy Collum, James McGivney, Diarmuid Cooney, Darren Gallagher, James Noonan (came on for last few minutes as sub due to injury), Pádraig McCormack, Robbie Smith. (McGivney and Smith are minor again this year).

[LaurelEye]

I didn't see what Heslin did, others seemed to have and I'd well believe he did something to deserve the red.

...allegedly.

The most stupid part of it from his point of view was doing it straight in front of the ref.

Massive turning point. Seems to be a bit of a prima donna, plenty of ability but not enough application, possibly no harm that he's away to Ozz.

He was certainly doing a prima donna act on the sideline and in the dugout after being sent off. Was this the third time that he's been sent off in the last year? Surely he should have copped on by now.

Can't really blame the ref (Brian O'Shea - Dublin) for loosing the game but he's intolerable. Was "stamping his authority" on the game before the ball was even thrown up at the start by insisting everybody was behind the 45s (I think somebody's shoelace was touching the line). Third time he's refereed a game I've been at, he's one of the worst I've ever seen. Some ridiculous decisions and totally ruined the flow of that game. Could have been a much better game of football.

We really weren't thrilled with him either. Hugely over-fussy.

Flanagan's decision making on the line is terrible.
Heslin stupidly getting sent off had a major influence on the result but Longford hit some great scores towards the end to win it. There's some very good Westmeath footballers on that U21 team and I hope that they can stop the rot a little bit with the seniors. I also hope I never have to see O'Shea with a whistle near his mouth again.

To be honest, although we (just) won tonight we played much, much more poorly than we had in the Meath match. We were brutal in the first twenty minutes of the first half and got punished by giving away soft frees in front of goal (I didn't notice the Westmeath supporters booing O'Shea at that point). We upped our game notably in the last ten minutes but then slacked off again in the second half - too many passes getting lost, an inability to get the ball in quickly and directly in front of goal; when we did that, it worked. The sending-off made some difference in that we were able to take advantage of it but Westmeath could still have taken it to extra time and they got the opportunities to do so.

I can understand that the Westmeath supporters were annoyed with the ref and with the sending off but their behaviour at the end of the match was over the top.

[gerrykeegan]

I didn't see what Heslin did, others seemed to have and I'd well believe he did something to deserve the red.

...allegedly.

The most stupid part of it from his point of view was doing it straight in front of the ref.

Massive turning point. Seems to be a bit of a prima donna, plenty of ability but not enough application, possibly no harm that he's away to Ozz.

He was certainly doing a prima donna act on the sideline and in the dugout after being sent off. Was this the third time that he's been sent off in the last year? Surely he should have copped on by now.

Can't really blame the ref (Brian O'Shea - Dublin) for loosing the game but he's intolerable. Was "stamping his authority" on the game before the ball was even thrown up at the start by insisting everybody was behind the 45s (I think somebody's shoelace was touching the line). Third time he's refereed a game I've been at, he's one of the worst I've ever seen. Some ridiculous decisions and totally ruined the flow of that game. Could have been a much better game of football.

We really weren't thrilled with him either. Hugely over-fussy.

Flanagan's decision making on the line is terrible.
Heslin stupidly getting sent off had a major influence on the result but Longford hit some great scores towards the end to win it. There's some very good Westmeath footballers on that U21 team and I hope that they can stop the rot a little bit with the seniors. I also hope I never have to see O'Shea with a whistle near his mouth again.

To be honest, although we (just) won tonight we played much, much more poorly than we had in the Meath match. We were brutal in the first twenty minutes of the first half and got punished by giving away soft frees in front of goal (I didn't notice the Westmeath supporters booing O'Shea at that point). We upped our game notably in the last ten minutes but then slacked off again in the second half - too many passes getting lost, an inability to get the ball in quickly and directly in front of goal; when we did that, it worked. The sending-off made some difference in that we were able to take advantage of it but Westmeath could still have taken it to extra time and they got the opportunities to do so.

I can understand that the Westmeath supporters were annoyed with the ref and with the sending off but their behaviour at the end of the match was over the top.

I heard afterwards finger in the mouth allright...if its true he's a f**king dope. His first catch after comiing on was a thing of beauty though.

No booing from the Terrace after the match, just shaking of the heads. I did call him a bollix though.

[North Longford]

Great win. Hopefully can win it out now. Whats the story with Padraig Gill that he wasn't playing? Also is Ronan McGoldrick not U21 this year?

[Shamrock Shore]

Gill was/is out with an ankle injury as far as I know. Not sure if he'll be fit for the final in Portlaoise in two week's time.

I don't think Wexford have won the U21 title so, one way or the other, a new name will be on the trophy this year.

Obviously I hope it's Longford. I think we have at least two final defeats under our belt.

Billy - you'll have to pull out all the stops to get to Portlaoise. No excuses!

[Billys Boots]

Whats the story with Padraig Gill that he wasn't playing?

Did his ankle at training on Fri night - not sure how serious it is, but ligament damage was suspected (on Saturday). 

[Kerry Mike]

Great to see 2 of the so called "weaker" counties making the final, nothing weak about that !!

[Bogball XV]

Great to see 2 of the so called "weaker" counties making the final, nothing weak about that !!

well maybe it shows the esteem with which many counties hold this competition?

Are Wexford still regarded as one of the weaker football counties?

[Canalman]

Delighted for both counties. Good luck to both in the final.

[LaurelEye]

No booing from the Terrace after the match, just shaking of the heads. I did call him a bollix though.

I can tell you there was a very unpleasant atmosphere in the stand.

[LaurelEye]

Whats the story with Padraig Gill that he wasn't playing?

Did his ankle at training on Fri night - not sure how serious it is, but ligament damage was suspected (on Saturday).

It's torn ligaments all right. Very unlikely to be back in time for the final.

[Croí na hÉireann]

Congratulations to Longford, the management has them well set up and are getting the max out of that team, very hard to break down. They scored some lovely points at the end when the chips were down and the fact they won without Gill makes it all the sweeter I suppose. Not going to comment on the ref apart from to say that I've never seen a standoff like that at the final whistle before. I don't think one Westmeath fan (or Longford for that matter) moved from their seat till the ref eventually decided to come ashore, it was one big game of chicken. Got a few boos from the crowd and a couple of shouts from myself but was tame enough in the end. Anyways, as bad and all as he was I'd be much more angrier at the events within our control.

Why, oh why, did Flanagan switch Lynam and McCormack in the first half, we were 5 points to 1 up, Lynam was controlling the game from the 40 and McCormack was winning ball inside. Ok, when he got into a shooting position he didn't have the confidence to shoot but he was still laying off the ball. That idiotic move really unsettled us and as a result Longford closed the gap to 1 at the break.

Heslin, what a frustrating fella. He spent up more energy warming up in front of the crowd than he did when he came on the pitch. At one stage he couldn't be bothered raising his pace past a jog and the fella he was supposed to be tracking just tore away from him. Then he leaps like a salmon to make an outstanding catch and delivering good balls inside. And then he makes an utter bollocks of himself and scuppers his teammates chances, who have being doing the heavy lifting all year, by getting himself sent off. I haven't a clue when he did to get sent off but I've no doubt he was at something. Now I know he was being riled since he first set foot on the pitch, but when you have the reputation of a short fuse you have to expect that treatment, just ask Paul Galvin. Then he proceeds with his usual hands on head, hands outstretched routine as he walks off. Jaysus if I was in that dugout I'd have shoved that bottle down his throat. Gone for 2 months now and no loss. Least it will give Darragh Daly more chance of getting a game with the seniors, his catch just after Heslin came on was a thing of beauty and he never gave up fighting for the cause.

Why in the name of Jaysus didn't Flanagan bring on McNicholas and Egan? McDaniels and McCormack were out of the game for long periods and were crying out to be replaced. Longford weren't afraid to bring on subs and we desperately needed fresh legs when we went down to 14, also thought Corroon was unlucky to get pulled first. He scored one of our two points from play, which says a lot. We were put under savage shooting pressure but we also showed an unwillingness to take the shot when it was on. We didn't get Coffey on the ball enough and Egan was playing far too deep.

All in all, a massive opportunity lost underage again and at the end of the day we only have ourselves to blame, which adds to the frustration. Best of luck to Longford and Wexford in the final, at least the cup will be going to a new home this year, some consolation.

[LaurelEye]

Congratulations to Longford, the management has them well set up and are getting the max out of that team, very hard to break down. They scored some lovely points at the end when the chips were down and the fact they won without Gill makes it all the sweeter I suppose. Not going to comment on the ref apart from to say that I've never seen a standoff like that at the final whistle before. I don't think one Westmeath fan (or Longford for that matter) moved from their seat till the ref eventually decided to come ashore, it was one big game of chicken. Got a few boos and a couple of shouts from myself but was tame enough in the end. Anyways, as bad and all as he was I'd be much more angrier at the events within our control.

The ref was bad for both sides; you lot should have directed your fire at your own side rather than trying intimidation when it was too late.

We weren't leaving because we were waiting for our own players to come in; you may have noticed that they stayed over on the far side of the field while the Westmeath support were doing their Five Minute Hate. And when you're outnumbered in that kind of crowd by a factor of about 5:1, you keep quiet.

All in all, one of the less pleasant experiences I've had at a football match.

[Shamrock Shore]

I heard that the referee got a thump for his troubles in the tunnel afterwards.

I hope this is not true - no matter how bad he was.