Louth left it “Too little, too late” says captain Mulroy

Louth senior football captain, Sam Mulroy, reflected on a game of two halves after his side’s 1-21 to 1-27 defeat to Monaghan in the Allianz National Football League on Sunday afternoon.

Mulroy led by example and put in a captain’s performance, racking up an impressive 1-12, including a goal from the penalty spot and three two-point frees.

He said: “I think proud of the second half and embarrassed with the first one is how I think we summed it up at half time.

“Absolutely extremely disappointing from everyone in the first half. So, I suppose at half time it was a case of it goes one of two ways here.

READ NEXT: GALLERY | Pictures from Louth's hard fought NFL game against the Farneymen

“In fairness to the boys, and we usually always do put in a little bit of a fight, and I thought we pulled back well but we left ourselves with way too much to do.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth before the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Monaghan were ruthless in front of goal during the opening period and punished Louth at every opportunity.

The Naomh Mairtin club man spoke of how clinical they were, stating, “They definitely brought their shooting boots today and everything they seemed to touch went over the bar and it was hard to get to grips with it.

“I think we tightened up in the second half but as I said probably left too much to do. But their shot-to-score ratio was off the charts today.

“Teams have that some days and unfortunately, we didn’t clamp down on it quick enough in the first half.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth celebrates after scoring his side's first goal, a penalty, during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

At the break, the Wee County trailed by 15 points. While the new two-point rule offered a theoretical path back into the contest, Mulroy insisted it wasn’t a focus.

“To be honest we didn’t even speak about that at half-time. We never spoke about winning the match at halftime.

“It was more about look, there is a massive crowd here today that came to support us and as I said we were a bit embarrassed at halftime playing the way we were.

“Playing as individuals, very disjointed, and that is what we spoke about at half-time to be quite honest with you.

“It was about putting a bit of pride back in the crest, trying harder, and playing together. I thought we did that.

“Then when you are coming down the home stretch a little bit more you are starting to think, we got it back to three (points).

“Then a silly error on our behalf on the three versus three rule brought it back out to five again. It comes back to fine margins again when the game is getting that close. But seriously disappointing.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth in action against Stephen O'Hanlon of Monaghan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Despite the loss, Louth showed their true quality in the second half and held Monaghan scoreless for long periods by playing the type of football supporters have come to expect.

“Big time. I think the lads dug in to be fair to them and we put some nice moves together. We could have worked a few goals and had a few wides here and there.

“But I thought in the second half we were a lot better. Way more conjoined in our attack and we got to grips with the kickout. Overall better in the second half but it was too little too late.”

(Tommy Durnin of Louth kicks a point despite the attention of Jack McCarron of Monaghan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Wastefulness in front of goal and some dropped efforts into the goalkeeper’s hands didn’t help their cause, something Mulroy mentioned.

“We were obviously playing against the breeze. After you turn them over you go into attack and in essence you are tired.

“I just don't think we controlled the ball well enough at times and that is a serious lesson that I thought we would have learned last week but we clearly didn’t.

“It is something that we will have to address going into the Cork match. It is a fast game and when you turn a team over and you go up the pitch you probably need to take a few seconds.

“I thought lads were taking shots as they were on tired legs after breaking the line or whatever it was, so it is definitely a tactic that we have to clean up.”

(Stephen O'Hanlon of Monaghan and Peter Lynch of Louth tussle during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

With the introduction of new rules, the game has become even quicker, something the skipper has noticed.

“It is very fast. Distances are not up since last year but definitely, the speed of the game is a lot faster and there is less rest time.

“It is exciting for the spectator but trying running around the pitch it’s not that great,” he joked.

“It is good and trying to get a rest in the three-man-up can be tactical enough. But it is definitely more enjoyable to watch, I am sure.”

With two games left in the league campaign, away to Cork and home to Meath, Louth are now in a battle to avoid relegation.

“Yeah, they are two massive games we have left ourselves in a sticky position. But it will be no bother to this bunch we will pull through.”