I WAS out there on the bank on Saturday for a thoroughly enjoyable match in which London hurled impressively throughout.
All managers experience it at some stage. Everyone is shouting out their own personal version of events, and why you shouldn’t or should do things. What you are doing is apparently wrong, and why you’re better off listening to them.
For 50 minutes Fergus McMahon, Tom Lally, and their backroom team did everything to ensure London were going to win. London’s first half display against the breeze was excellent; Bernard Gaffney was in scintillating form.
Having played so well into the breeze everybody on the bank was looking forward to London pressing on. For a while they did, but when things started to go against London around the 50 minute mark a couple of changes could have been made.
In the last 10 minutes Kildare came into the game again; that is when London should really have put up the shutters. Still it was a most unfortunate finish for London because there was nearly four minutes of additional time played when Kildare got an equalising goal.
In extra-time it was obvious Kildare’s fitness was going to be a factor, but London battled until the end. In fairness throwing Luke Hands into the fray was important. I felt he should have been brought on at the start of extra-time. Luke Hands is good for a goal, and he produced the goods.
Now London are going to Newbridge for a replay, but the venue shouldn’t matter at all. I know Newbridge well, it is a tight pitch, but London had so many great displays in the drawn match.
Martin Duggan was effective, at midfield Neil Rogers and Enda Cooney scored six points between them, I thought they were outstanding. Martin Ryan was colossal at centre back and behind him Conor Hickey, Luke Gaule, and Kieran Fitzpatrick were brilliant in the full back line.
Goalkeeper James Barrett ‘s performance all round was excellent too. If London can start with Derek Morkan, who made a real impact too they have a real chance of claiming a win. It was so unfortunate for London not to get the victory, but they should travel over full of confidence.
See More: Kildare, London GAA
