Kilkenny League Cup Game

**sadloserkid** · 13/05/2003, 9:02 AM

Loughman was excellent in goal, made some great saves and I don't think he can be faulted for either of the goals. I'd be have tempted to give him a run against Athlone ahead of Healy.
Mike Kerley played at right-full and was class. Got forward well, passed it well, showed great composure at the back. He should definately be in on Thursday. Frank Browne at left back had a wretched first half, gifting Kilkenny's first goal with a hospital pass. In the second half however he was excellent! He showed a lot of flair going forward even if he did push forward too much at times. I'd say forget about playing him as full-back in future and just leave him on the wing. Purcell was very good, especially at one point in the second half where he had a fine run and shot brilliantly parried by Kilkenny's young keeper. Finucane wasn't bad either but by his own high standards he seemed a little bit hesitant at times.

In midfield Keating and O'Donoghue were bossed around. Keating at least made some bit of an impact but Shane didn't look comfortable at all in the middle and that's where the game was lost. A Limerick midfield without John Whyte doesn't have any shape or cohesian and the whole team suffers as a result. On the flanks Colm Heffernan was very disappointing, offering little and it was no surprise to see him subbed. Stephen O'Flynn started on the left but switched back up front early enough with Foley pulling back. Foley worked very hard throughout and had a good game, making an impact and showing for everything. O'Flynn took his goal excellently and looked interested throughout while Derek McCarthy ran his socks off and showed some nice touches but never got that small piece of luck that would have made a difference. Conor Molan came on as a sub and did alright as well.

Overall we were wretched for the first half-hour, abysmal in fact but after conceding the second goal we raised our game somewhat and deserved a draw out of it. We're making a habit of conceding early goals and leaving ouirselves with too much to do though.

Ultimately, because of the Waterford game last night's result was never really that important and it showed in the performance. Athlone on Thursday is the weeks big game and we should be well up for that one.

We've lost our trophy though...

**JohnD** · 13/05/2003, 7:34 PM

Have to agree with all you said SLK. Thought Loughman was outsatanding and deserves his place on Thurs night. We still are lacking in the centre of midfield. but overall the second half performance was good. Three games in a row now we have conceded 2 early goals. We need to come out of the dressing room in the first half, something which we are not doing at the moment. We are giving ourselves way too much work to do and we will get a result like Monaghan only on a few occasions.
Hopefully all will be up for it on Thurs and lets hope Mike Kerley starts himself. He was class last night.

**atfconline** · 14/05/2003, 7:00 PM

Originally posted by sadloserkid

Overall we were wretched for the first half-hour, abysmal in fact but after conceding the second goal we raised our game somewhat and deserved a draw out of it. We're making a habit of conceding early goals and leaving ouirselves with too much to do though.

Ultimately, because of the Waterford game last night's result was never really that important and it showed in the performance. Athlone on Thursday is the weeks big game and we should be well up for that one.

We've lost our trophy though...

We've scored in the opening 3 minutes in our last three games

And as for an earlier post of yours, I don't expect either ourselves or your goodselves to be battling it out for re-election this season.

Anyhow, bring on the Battle of the Shannon!

**sadloserkid** · 15/05/2003, 8:17 AM

Originally posted by atfconline
Anyhow, bring on the Battle of the Shannon!

Oh yeah!!!

Looking forward to it!

**deise deserter** · 15/05/2003, 10:08 AM

Did Athlone sign that ex-Limerick player? I have heard rumors saying that he has been playing...

**sadloserkid** · 15/05/2003, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by deise deserter
Did Athlone sign that ex-Limerick player? I have heard rumors saying that he has been playing...

I didn't think so. No idea where the rumours you've heard are coming from but I haven't seen his name come up anywhere. He's hardly up to standard anyway, more at home on the internet than on the football pitch.

**deise deserter** · 15/05/2003, 12:29 PM

I'm 95% sure that an Athlone fan posted on their section that he was played for the pre-season friendly against us. Not that it matters anyway - looking forward to the game. Hopefully we'll have team photos this evening!

**sadloserkid** · 15/05/2003, 1:14 PM

Originally posted by deise deserter
I'm 95% sure that an Athlone fan posted on their section that he was played for the pre-season friendly against us.

Yeah, he played in the pre-season game but that doesn't mean anything. Brian Morris-Roe played pre-season with us, Willie Bruton played pre-season with Cork City... that doesn't mean a contract was offered or signed.

**deise deserter** · 15/05/2003, 3:03 PM

True SLK, true.

Has he reappeared anywhere then?

**sadloserkid** · 15/05/2003, 3:04 PM

Originally posted by deise deserter
True SLK, true.

Has he reappeared anywhere then?

No!

**deise deserter** · 15/05/2003, 3:45 PM

Damn! What a shame, eh?

**atfconline** · 15/05/2003, 5:12 PM

No we never signed him. He did play for us against ye in the pre-season game alright, but wasn't offered a contract. Didn't look up to a whole lot when he came on anyways.