Junior grade is perfect platform, says Nelson
ONLY five counties contested this years Leinster Junior Football championship but both manager Davy Nelson and captain Conor McHugh lauded the virtues of the competition following Meath’s loss in the decider at Croke Park on Sunday.
‘I think this competition in an absolute no brainer,’ the former O’Mahonys star Nelson said afterwards.
‘There is nothing beyond 20 years of age for players at intercounty level except senior and some players do not mature until their early or mid-20s and this is the perfect platform for them to play as a bridging gap.
‘Last year we got two players for the Meath seniors from the junior team. Stephen Bray won an All-Ireland junior title in 2003 and he was an All-Star in 2007. I know Kerry and Cork take it very serious and do Galway and Mayo as does Kildare and Meath.
‘The competition gave you an opportunity to play ‘old school football’ and really have a go at each other. We did that against Longford in the semi-final and had a dinger of a game against them. And again today, both teams went at each other and it was a match that I’d say spectators enjoyed.
‘I think this competition allows you to do this rather than what senior intercounty has to offer, it is a very different type of football altogether.’
‘I don’t know why other counties aren’t getting involved,’ Oldcastle club man McHugh said.
‘It gives lads a stepping stone to get on to county senior panels. Playing at Croke Park gives them invaluable experience.
‘We would have loved a couple of more matches earlier on in the championship, it is not often you get an opportunity to play in Croke Park.’
McHugh who was a member of the senior panel for five years was having his first ever outing playing in Croke Park and described it as a great experience.
Manager Nelson was fulsome in his praise of his players efforts but opined that the game was won and lost in the third quarter during which Kildare registered 1-6 and Meath failed to add to their tally.
‘I couldn’t speak highly enough of the lads how much they wanted to play for their county,’ Nelson continued.
‘We came out the wrong side of it and I suppose the third quarter was when Kildare won the game. In typical Meath fashion we got back into the game and were still in with a chance up until the final whistle.
‘Unfortunately we went too long in the second half without a score, even if we were only getting a point or two it would have made a difference. You have to applaud good skill as well and I thought Kildare had some fine players.
‘In that third quarter Kildare were dominating every sector and we couldn’t get our hands on the ball.
‘There was a wind factor which was very significant in the second half. We lost Kevin Traynor who was very important to us with a knee injury and that didn’t help but I have to give credit to Kildare, they really upped their game.
‘They had an extra championship match against Wicklow and just in terms of building it may have helped them there today. I am amazed other counties don’t take part. To me it is an ideal platform for players of over 20 years of age to play.
‘Personally I really enjoyed it. I’ve been around the block but this was my first time to be at Croke Park with a Meath team and I was very proud of the way the lads fought every step of the way,’ Nelson concluded. TUESDAY JUNE 26
Carnaross: Kilmainham v Drumbaragh, JDFC, 8.0, S O’Connor. WEDNESDAY JUNE 27 Pairc Tailteann: Meath v Offaly, Leinster MFC, 7.30, N Ward
THURSDAY JUNE 28
Football A League at 8.15 Div 4: St Brigid’s v Ballivor, P Boylan
SATURDAY JUNE 30
Pairc Tailteann: Meath v Dublin, Leinster U-20 FC semi-final, 7.30, B Cawley.
SUNDAY JULY 1
Walterstown: Blackhall Gaels v Syddan, JCFC, 5.0, M Ennis.
MONDAY JULY 2
Football A League at 8.0 Div 1: Skryne v Summerhill, D Coldrick; St Colmcille’s v Dunshaughlin, L O’Brien; Na Fianna v Ratoath, B Heaney, Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Simonstown, P Nelis; St Patrick’s v O’Mahonys, Patrick Coyle; Gaeil Colmcille v Wolfe Tones, L Reddy.
Div 2: Walterstown v Rathkenny, P Clarke; Nobber v Syddan, C McManus; Ballinabrackey v Dunderry, H Clifford; Curraha v Castletown, J Synnott; Trim v Seneschalstown, P Mooney; Duleek-Bellewstown v St Michael’s, S Gahan; Oldcastle v Blackhall Gaels, O Ganly.
Div 4: Moylagh v St Mary’s, S O’Connor; Ballivor v Drumconrath, F Scully.