Longford game

[pineapple stu]

Another improved performance, but another defeat. We started off rubbish, and Longford took the lead with a back-post header which Jennings probably should have kept out (it ended up hitting him on the chest and went into the side of the net). After half-time we bucked up and Pat McWalter scored his first senior goal for us after a good move involving Hughie Dave and Micko. Interestingly, Mark Rooney also played an important part by not touching the ball - maybe he should try that more often?!?! We were helped by Stephen O'Brien only getting a hand to the ball when he should probably have saved.

Our attack was improved when Robbie Martin finally made his return from injury and looked as sharp as I've seen him in a long time. He could have scored when chesting down a ball over the top only to be wrongly given offside (and I was looking along the Longford line the whole second half!) There were some complaints (none official, now) about the linesman, who was the same one as for the Pat's match - apparently the Longford goal was offside, Alan McNally's late shot was handled on the line and certainly he gave numerous dodgy offsides.

Longford could have been reduced to ten men shortly afterwards when Alan Murphy (you're s***!!! ) creamed Pat Sullivan, which saw Sullivan go off for treatment to his shoulder for a couple of minutes. Murphy had already been booked (I think), but no further action was taken. The free was taken by Robbie Mac, who smacked it into the wall containing Eric Lavine in a moment reminiscent of the recent match at Belfield when he whacked a throw onto Lavine's head!

That said, though, we were looking good for a point against the team with the worst home record in the league when Robbie Mac strolled out of defence and lost the ball to Lavine. He ran on, set up Barrett who cut inside and shot home from 12 yards.

In the last minute, we had another free just outside the area. As we waited for Cawley to curl the ball slowly into the keeper's hands, he dinked it to the far post, where Alan McNally, unmarked, volleyed past the keeper only for the Longford lad to clear/handle off the line.

All in all though, a poor result but another encouraging performance. But with only nine games left, we have to get something out of the next three games (Bohs, Cork and Rovers) before looking to our vital run-in (last three home games are Derry, Drogheda and Longford).

Ratings -
Jennings 6 Questionable on the first goal, but solid enough after that.
Sullivan 8 Won plenty of ball at the back, and wasn't afraid to break forward.
Davey 7 As Sullivan, but with some random heading up the pitch when he had time to take it down included.
McAuley 8 Man of the match for us until his late lapse cost us the point.
McNally 8 Best game I've seen him have at centre-back for a while.
McDonnell 7 Solid game - great to have him back too!
Cawley 8 Ran the game again, although did give the ball away maybe a bit too often. Seems to be stopping the stupid soft free-kicks too. Tracked back and all!
J Martin 7 Made some good runs in the first half before coming off injured at half time.
O'Donnell 6 Solid and no more. Involved in our goal.
Griffin 6 Held it up well, but we always lacked a danger up front until Robbie Martin came on.
Rooney 6 Ditto
McWalter 7 Took his goal well, even if O'Brien should have saved. Looked very dangerous after coming on at half-time and wasn't scared to have a pop from distance.
R Martin 7 Back to his best???
Whelan 6 Not much time to impress.

[Schumi]

Robbie Martin coming back is really important. Rooney and Griffin did nothing up front and I think Robbie has to start against Bohs if he's fully fit, going on Saturday's performance he looks to be. I'd be inclined to play Griffin beside him as I think he can hold the ball up better. Rooney seems too similar a player to Robbie to be useful beside him.

Cawley was brilliant for the second game in a row. He looked dangerous pushing forward as usual but also tracked back as against Pats.

[John83]

Originally posted by Schumi
Robbie Martin coming back is really important. Rooney and Griffin did nothing up front and I think Robbie has to start against Bohs if he's fully fit, going on Saturday's performance he looks to be. I'd be inclined to play Griffin beside him as I think he can hold the ball up better. Rooney seems too similar a player to Robbie to be useful beside him.

Cawley was brilliant for the second game in a row. He looked dangerous pushing forward as usual but also tracked back as against Pats.

I agree. Robbie has to be given a chance. The forwards we have playing now are pretty impotent. Roooney should make a decent impact sub for now.

If Pete Mahon has convinced Cawley to actually track back and tackle, he should be up for manager of the year! Seriously, it sounds like Cawley thinks we have a chance of staying up, and is willing to put the boot in to help.

That or he's putting himself in the shop window.