“Very professional performance” - Reel on Louth U20s win against Lake County

Louth’s Leinster U20 Football Championship defence began stylishly on Friday night, as they defeated Westmeath 3-13 to 2-5 at Dovida Lakepoint Park, Mullingar.

Manager Fergal Reel was satisfied with the outcome, although he was measured in his assessment. Speaking after the game, he said: “Probably if you want to pick holes in it, maybe a wee period through the second.

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“First half, we probably gave the ball away two or three times, giving them a wee bit of a foothold in the game.

“But very professional performance, the boys stuck to the task well and moved the ball well and worked really hard, and yeah, you'd have to be happy.

“As I said to you the other day, it was a difficult fixture coming down here; the fact that it was moved on two more days was another factor in it.

“So, when you're ready, then you're ready, and then it drops off again, so it all added to it a bit of a worrying fixture, but the lads addressed this as well, and I think put in a good 60 minutes.”

The Wee County made their intent clear from the throw-in as the opening goal from St. Joseph's clubman Pearse Grimes-Murphy proved decisive in shaping the contest.

“Probably the goal just first goal probably gives us the opportunity to you know open up a bit of a cushion, and also that for the confidence to go and play then.

“We moved the ball good from side-to-side, great opportunities, and probably left a few goal chances in the first half if we're honest enough about it.

“Then we were worried at halftime, there was a bit of a breeze and Westmeath (are) good lads and were always going to come.

“They got a couple of good chances, maybe one was fortuitous enough, but we still responded that well and kept the scoreboard ticking over the second half, which probably made it comfortable enough for the last five minutes.”

Second-half

Westmeath threatened briefly after the restart, but the Reds answered immediately as Shane Lennon's goal restored control.

“The goal after halftime left that really maybe 11-point gap or whatever was in it, and you know it was going to be a big ask to come back into it from that stage.

“But they made a fight of it in fairness, so they got it down to nine, maybe or eight, I don't know, at that stage.

“Then we were trying to get minutes into some of the boys at the bench as well, but you're always mindful of you know the modern game. Maybe 10 points is not enough, so you have to get the last five minutes to really be sure you're over the line.”

Experience and youth

Key figures from last year’s campaign delivered again as the new recruits also stepped up to the plate.

“We were mindful that we were carrying probably a lot of young lads, but you have to mention Tadhg Devaney in the second half, who was tremendous, like the young lads coming in.

“Andrew Reilly, Cillian McQuillan, and Michael McGlew - all the lads coming in from the minor team last year have really blended in well.

“The other lads, Pearse (Grimes-Murphy), got the goal early on, Shane (Lennon) got goals, and probably came back after a few injuries.

“Tony (McDonnell), come on, there could have been a few minutes in from as well, so overall, we're not getting carried away, it's only two points.

“(We have to) go to Dublin next week, the game is on Wednesday, so we have to get recovered, and you're ready to go, it's a different animal next week Dublin in Parnell Park.”

Injuries

Reel was without some of his most experienced players for the opening round game.

“Well, some of them could be a bit away as well, so we'll have to look at that as the week develops. You know you're losing two days there.

“But listen, it's all in the mind – if you are fit to go, you're fit to go, and we'll get the recovery going tomorrow and plan the week ahead and yeah, looking forward to next Wednesday night.”

The delayed fixture earlier in the week did little to disrupt Louth’s focus.

“We've got experienced lads in there, and we trained on Wednesday night, and they were upbeat about it, and the challenge was just pushed out for 48 hours. 

“But they're well focused on it, and as you've seen, they arrived and really did a good professional job, but it's only two points in the bag. I wouldn't be getting mad about it either, but it's better winning the first than losing it, and that's where we're at.”

Dublin next

Attention now turns to Dublin and a midweek test at Parnell Park.

“Listen, as I said, the first game, when you have a long time to look at the game, maybe three or four months, you can prep well for it.

“The next one is coming in five days, which doesn't give you as much time to prepare for that one, so probably, I'd say Dublin had a good look at us tonight.

“You know it's all stacked in Dublin's favour; to go to them, Dublin is Dublin, they've got a good look at us tonight, we have a short time for recovery. We'd rather be in a better position coming into it, but listen, we are where we are, and you just get ready for it and go at it.”

Past results offer encouragement, but don't mean anything this time around.

“We've beaten a few times, and that'll add to the bit of energy they'll bring to it as well because they're obviously a proud county and a very successful county.

“They certainly do not want Louth or someone like that to go and beat them in the home patch, maybe twice. So you know we're well aware of what's down the road, but it's dealing with another thing, but we'll do our best.”