TIPP DEFEAT LEAVES LOUTH IN BOTHER
THE pre-match early February sunshine was deceiving in Drogheda on Sunday.
The outward appearance of heat and warmth was soon replaced by the chill and rawness of the biting breeze as grey skies took hold over the Gaelic Grounds.
Tipperary, playing against the elements, started well and registered the first two scores of the day.
As I had feared, the 2016 All-Ireland semi-finalists looked good in the early exchanges, but many of that team who pushed Mayo so close just a few years ago were not in attendance. I counted only six, maybe seven including the substitutes.
When Sam Mulroy opened Louth’s account after 10 minutes from an advanced mark and followed up two minutes later with another fine score after a good exchange with the returning Conor Grimes, the grey mood in the stand began to lift.
We were excellent for long periods in that opening half, but a return of just five points didn’t seem sufficient for what lay ahead.
Shortly after the restart Tommy Durnin’s looping effort deceived the Tipp keeper and suddenly we were six points to the good.
Louth were now winning the majority of the individual battles, and although the visitors immediately hit back with their first score in over 30 minutes we looked in control of the game.
Individual handling errors then allowed Tipp back in the game as time and time again we coughed up cheap possession.
Liam Jackson, who was providing great energy down the right-hand side, was called ashore on 48 minutes and followed soon afterwards by Conor Grimes and Paul Matthews.
All three, but in particular Jackson and Matthews, were providing great impetus to the attack and our go-forward game suffered considerably with their premature departure.
The new arrivals from the bench failed to make an impact, while Tipperary, on the other hand, sprung the lively Alan Maloney. His fine brace of scores from distance lifted the small band of travelling supporters and suddenly our backs were to the wall. It was no surprise to see corner forward Brian Fox clip over the winner in added time.
Tagging on the final five scores, Tipp had stolen it at the death, but it was a game that was there for the taking. Perhaps those second-half substitutions were injury-enforced or maybe management felt they had given their all, but that trio’s early departure had a major influence on the result.
Despite the disappointing loss there are still lots of positives to take from the performance, one which was much improved from the Longford game.
The growing muscle injury list from the training ground is extremely concerning, but hopefully we can get some of those walking wounded back for the next day.
We now sit pointless at the foot of the table - therefore next weekend’s round-three game against Offaly becomes an absolute must-win.
It was very heartening, though, to see the revival of the Go Games exhibition games at half-time on Sunday, with Under-10 teams from Kilkerley, St Fechin’s and Glen Emmets providing the interval entertainment.
Unfortunately, many of our underage players are not currently aspiring to grow up and play for their county, therefore exhibition games like these and further underage initiatives are essential to help our kids identify with the red jersey.
Further matches are planned for the remaining three home National Football League games.