A bit late getting my few cents worth on Thursday's game but for what it's worth I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great crowd, great traditional footy ground and a very entertaining game right from the start.
I really think that a big modern ground like Croker "tricks" the supporters' minds into thinking they're only there to be entertained whereas when you're so close to the action in a smaller ground it makes the supporter feel like he has much more of a role to play.
Watching Columbia up close just reinforces my view that modern international footballers are taller, bigger, more athletic and have at least as much skill as earlier generations, yet Irish midfielders rarely fit the bill in this regard. Someone hurry up the progress of Garvan and O'Toole please! Andy Reid's speed of thought allows him to be less athletic than many but in the absence of both Reids it's hard to see a quick solution to the problem. Carsley just about cuts it but I have reservations. Joey O'Brien might be the next to step up maybe.
Almost every game I've seen us play in the last 3 or 4 years has prompted me to think we'd be an ok team if we just had a competitive central midfield. It's like having good backs and a good pack in rugby but having ponderous and inaccurate half backs. Miller and Whelan didn't cut it at all again, though in fairness I thought Miller showed more willingness to get on the ball and use it in the second half.
McShane had a much better game but I still wouldn't start him ahead of O'Shea at CB, or Andy O'Brien.
I thought O'Shea had fine game but still he has his critics.
Kiely was superb obviously. What a boost to have him back.
I wonder has Delaney, who impressed me again, has done enough to keep the left back spot. Unless Finnan or O'Shea is played out of position there he looks the best option at the moment.
Speacial credit to Kevin Doyle - worked his socks off with poor service and generally did very well. No fault to Keogh at all, a game enough effort in a silly role for him. As said above, it'd have been a great chance to see Lawrence in that role. McGeady did well enough, defended well and caused trouble but his final ball wasn't convincing. He's great at drawing fouls in dangerous areas but our frees weren't great again.
With a better CM pairing there's definitely signs of encouragement.
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