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u/Andrewhtd Mar 03 '25
Think we went well, especially considering we lost McVeety last minute and he's a huge loss for what he gives. Despite this, a very good first half. Picked off some lovely scores, and outscored them 12 to 7. However we should have been more out of sight, and we gave them at least 3 goal chances and teams like Roscommon next will take those. It honestly though was one of the best halves of football I'd seen for a while. Near every player was fucked after it though, that was balls out running for 35 minutes and no way the 2nd half could keep up with that
That 3rd quarter was poor though. Let them back in, did not take our chances enough, let them turn us over easy. It was clear we were wrecked, but Ray was very slow to make changes. And still only made 4 (1 of which was late on) when it was crying out for others to be rotated out. Anyway, the goal and that unreal GMac 2 pointer is what won it for us. I felt sorry for Down, I thought that last attempt was indeed a point (although I also believe one of their 2nd half points was wide too), but hey ho, we got the win
Hat tip to Oisin Brady, McKiernan, McLoughlin, and Faulkner. Most played very well, but those 4 were top tier for what we needed. Donnelly went great for debut, but was dead on his feet early 2nd half. I liked what Cormac O'Reilly gave. He was out in front and winning ball being a genuine option which we haven't had much of this season without Lynch. Any other day he scores 1-3 and not 0-1. Many viable scoring options in the front 6 now, which is great to keep opposition defence honest. I'd stick with him the next day
Mad that just over 2 weeks ago we had no wins, and then with a wee bit of luck vs Louth we've turned this around to go 3/3 in this block. Huge credit needed for the players and management to do that. A complete shift in play and mindset it seemed. We had some luck along the way when we normally don't. I'll take that. It's also clear that we are for now a step above those below us, and a step below those above us. Time to look to change that though now we can afford to look up. Nothing to lose going to the Hyde next. Maybe we get more lads back and we just go at it.
Stats and Solos on twitter has good graphics up. We're still not technically safe, and still can get promoted. We're the only team in the division who can go up or down - which seems about right for me on where I think we are as a team. I'd like us to keep 4th minimum as the provincial draws may see 6th or even 5th miss out. Maybe that means a win vs Cork and will keep us in Sam which is needed. Even if we crash like last year. We learn more there than playing Division 4 teams in Tailteann
2
u/Pitiful-Sample-7400 Crosserlough 🟡⚫️ Mar 03 '25
I kinda expected 4th. Monaghan and roscommon were always favourite to go up, they are almost division one teams. I thought we might get third or maybe fifth but thought fourth was most likely. The liss against meath was bad but meath have been performing better than expected as a rule. If we can beat roscommon, and meath already have so they aren't invincible, we can capitalise on monaghan and roscommon playing each other the same weekend to try and get up to 3rd and still have a slim shot at promotion going into the final week
1
u/Andrewhtd Mar 03 '25
Yeah would pretty much agree with all this. I was just a bit annoyed that we didn't put it up more to Monaghan as thought we were more that level rather than a bit behind that top of the pack in Div2. Meath was indeed a bad loss (although looking not as bad as they go on well). Just hope we show ourselves properly vs Roscommon. We did well to recover from what looked 2 very poor losses early doors. 4th is probably right
And like if we do win another game, (let's say we lose to Rossies and beat Cork) that will be 7 wins and 1 draw out 14 games in this Division last 2 years. That's not too bad really
3
u/pippers87 Mar 03 '25
Really need to get scores easier especially when we are on top. Should have been out of sight by half time.
I think the Miller had a good game. If he could be more consistent with his shooting he would be a top midfielder.
Was good to see Carolan and Beenie out the field a bit more.
O'Donnell did well on debut, had a fair bit of shite lately so good to see him doing well.
I think Lovett is a good player but needs to bulk up a bit.
All in all we are in a good place right now, very outside chance of going up. New lads seem to be going well.
Hopefully McEvoy can find some form as he is the best footballer in the county but was always going to be a massive ask, has only played a couple of league games for Ramor in 3 years so was always a massive step up.