McArdle feels Louth hurlers will pick up more league points

Louth joint senior hurling manager, Paddy McArdle, shared his thoughts on Saturday's defeat at home to Tyrone in the Allianz National Hurling League.

Speaking after the game, he said, “You can't let teams like that get ahead of you. We seem to constantly just stay in the game, do enough to keep up with them, but never actually try and get ahead.

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“Maybe that comes from belief of playing at this level or a step up. Realistically, last year we were in Division 4; they were two divisions above us. So it just comes with a wee bit of cuteness at this level.

“Ball to hand, to first touch. That's the simple things that let you down, and these lads don't make them mistakes.”

Tyrone’s movement caused persistent problems all game.

“Their half forward gave us an awful trouble. Aidan Kelly, in particular, he was sort of floating between our three half-backs, and we never pinned him down until the second half.

“We got the grips with him a wee bit, and I suppose the damage was done at that stage. It was very hard to pick him up because he was being smart.

“He was stepping off Peter (Fortune) and going out to Michael (O’Shea) and then Michael and his own man to mark. He was doing the same with John Casey at the far side.”

The second half proved decisive. An early goal shifted momentum permanently.

“They got the goal, and we got back to three points. Which was again, it's maybe that belief of can we kick on here, can we go ahead.

“We were just holding on to their shirttails the whole way through. The second goal was a killer. That's when the game sort of died for us.

“They got the man sent off, and we pushed lads up, but we just couldn't get them. We had a couple of scores to get us back within touching distance again.

“I think if we had taken our chances, on another day you don't miss five or six frees. It's not like Darren (Geoghegan), very uncharacteristic of him to miss five or six frees.

“I'm not by any means blaming him. It's just again, it emphasises how important the simple things are. Getting them frees over the bar, getting your first touch, getting the ball to hand. It's all massive on the day.”

Louth did carve out goal chances but Tyrone’s goalkeeper stood firm.

“He's going to make good saves if you hit them straight at him. That's the problem, and that's something we'll work on during the week.”

Fitness and preparation also played their part. A late start to the campaign is still being felt.

“You can see it there. You can see our lads. They dropped off a wee bit against Armagh in the second half, and they've done the same there again.

“We'll be alright at this level. We'll pick up points. I've no doubt that these boys will go and pick up points before the league's over.

“We should be fine, and then it's all gearing towards the Championship. If we get these boys right at the right time of the year, we'll be alright.”

There were moments of fluency and tidy scores; however, injuries remain a concern.

“Free-takers are always going to be the top scorer at this level. But also take into account we're killed with injuries at the moment.

“We had Seán Flynn sick during the week. We had Conor Murphy sick during the week. Two of them had bugs. There's two of your main players already on the back foot.

“We have about five or six men standing on the side lane with not serious injuries. They're near coming close to getting back on the field again.

“Once we get our full hand again here, then it leaves a wee bit more competition for places. All of a sudden, then it tightens up a bit.”

Attention now turns to Fermanagh. Last season’s record of three wins out of three against them offers encouragement.

“I know we're about six or seven points down at the end of it. But that'll definitely stand us. The boys will take confidence from that.

“I know it's not nice getting beaten, but the boys will take a lot of confidence from that. Hopefully, we'll be fit to get ourselves in the right position, lick our wounds and get back out from one of them next Sunday.”