Reds’ hand limited for Tyrone clash
GAA INTERCOUNTY FOOTBALL
LOUTH boss Colin Kelly admitted the ‘timing could have been better’ as he takes a depleted and inexperienced squad to Crossmaglen on Sunday to face the mighty Tyrone (1.30pm)
The Reds chief is operating with a training panel in the mid-thirties as he assesses his options for 2017, but with key men carrying knocks and the Sean O’Mahony’s contingent only just returning to the fold, his hand will be limited for the O Fiaich Cup clash.
‘Things are a bit slow at the moment, we’re carrying a lot of knocks,’ he said.
‘A few lads haven’t made it back yet at all like Paddy Reilly, Bevan Duffy, Ryan Burns and Ruairi Moore. Jim McEneaney did train a few times but injury is limiting what he can do too. The Sean O’Mahony’s lads have just come back in this week, so it’s not ideal when you’re going to play one of the best teams in the country.
‘It will be difficult for the younger lads, playing their first game against a team as good as Tyrone when we’re not at full strength.’
On a positive note, none of the injury complaints would appear to be serious, but Kelly admitted that Kevin Brennan’s long=term absence and Conor Grimes’ departure for Australia was a major double blow.
‘Conor is a big loss. We spoke at length to him, but he headed away and he’s talking about [being away for] 12 months, but the door is open for him if he does come back sooner.’
Sean O’Mahony’s ‘keeper Brennan was expected to push Criag Lynch and Neil Gallagher for the number one shirt next season, but the Achilles injury that kept him out of O’Mahony’s recent Leinster Championship clashes against Sarsfields and Rhode will rule him out well into the new year.
‘Losing Kevin was a huge blow too,’ Kelly continued. ‘But we will keep him in the mix and give him the chance to recuperate and he’ll be in a position to come back in 5-7 months.’
However, Kelly stressed that it’s not all doom and gloom, citing the return of some experienced players and the emergence of three promising young minors. THERE will be very little change at the top table as Louth GAA clubs gear up for annual convention in Darver on Monday night.
In a now familiar pattern, none of the top jobs will be contested and in most case the incumbent or incoming officer will be elected without a challenge.
There will be limited elections for delegate positions at Leinster and Central Council and for the annual trips to Leinster Convention and Congress.
Some minor changes to the line-up will see Tomas O hEochaidh step down as development officer, with Padraic O’Connor the lone nominee to take over the reins.
Dreadnots Paul Aspell looks set to fill the vacant Coaching Officer’s position and Stephen O’Brien of Pearse Og will take over from Fiachra Sheridan as Irish Language and Cultural Officer.
Meanwhile, Treasurer Aidan Berill
‘Losing a player like Conor Grimes is not ideal, but when you have the likes of Andy McDonnell, Ronan Carroll and Derek Crilly coming back it does soften the blow. We also have Eoin O’Connor and Paraic Smith back in.’
That kind of experience will be vital in Division 3 next term, but Kelly insisted that wasn’t his primary intention.
‘They are all experienced guys, but it was more about them performing well for their clubs or coming back from being away.
‘For one reason or another they were out of the loop and it certainly wasn’t that we weren’t picking them. Eoin and Andy were away and Ronan and Derek probably needed a break, but they stood out with their clubs over the summer.
‘Paraic was coming back from a cruciate injury, so he’ll be a big addition too.’
Kelly revealed that Cian Callan, Ross Nally, Kevin Carr and Sam Mulroy were making great strides.
‘A few panelists have opted out, but Conor is probably the only starter that’s gone from last year.
‘We’re not firing on all cylinders yet with the injuries and that, but I think in six or seven weeks time we’ll certainly be in a better place.’
The winners of Sunday’s match will face Armagh in the final a week later after the tournament hosts saw off Derry at the weekend.