Laois Shopping Centre SFC Round 3 Review

My Top 3 Players Of The Week (explained in this article)

1. Michael Doran (Killeshin)
2. Simon Fingleton (Park Ratheniska)
3. Warith Oyeniyi (Graiguecullen)

Park-Ratheniska v Ballyroan-Abbey: A Positive Change in Attacking Approach

In my Round 1 review here, I criticised Park-Ratheniska for being too reliant on lateral handpassing against Arles Killeen.

Against Ballyroan-Abbey, however, I have to give them huge credit for the clear change in their approach. From the opening stages, Park-Ratheniska played with far more attacking intent, moving the ball quickly, running directly into space and using more kick-passing. It was a joy to watch and, more importantly, it worked brilliantly for them in the first half.

I applaud Park-Ratheniska for taking a more attacking approach and showing that they were willing to adapt their style of play. Even when they had a couple of efforts drop short after excellent running and attacking moves, their intent was clear. This was fast, direct and exciting football, a style that I am sure the spectators enjoyed just as much as I did.

In the second half, Park-Ratheniska found it more difficult to continue playing with the same freedom, but huge credit has to go to Ballyroan-Abbey’s defensive set-up, which tightened up considerably after seeing how much joy Park-Ratheniska had got from their direct attacking football in the first half. Ballyroan-Abbey made it much harder for Park-Ratheniska to run into space and play through the lines, forcing them into a slower build-up at times.

It was not simply Park-Ratheniska returning to their old style; Ballyroan-Abbey adapted defensively and made the direct approach far more difficult to execute.

Park-Ratheniska still produced some quality, including Matt Cunningham’s (11) two-pointer, but their first score of the second half did not arrive until the 46th minute through a Simon Fingleton (9) free.

Regardless of the final outcome, the most encouraging aspect for me was seeing Park-Ratheniska play far more attacking football than they had against Arles Killeen. Their first-half performance showed just how effective they can be when they run directly, move the ball quickly and use kick-passing to attack space.

One of Park-Ratheniska’s standout early moments came from Noah Fingleton (13). During a long run forward, he kept his head up and spotted Matt Cunningham (11) making a run into his path. Rather than taking an extra handpass, Fingleton delivered a lovely long, low kick-pass directly into Cunningham’s chest, and Cunningham went on to score from play. It perfectly summed up the more direct approach Park-Ratheniska were taking.

Tom Fingleton (12) also produced an excellent attacking contribution, going on a huge, pacey run down the wing before turning inside and creating a great opportunity that led to a score from Noah Fingleton (13).

Park-Ratheniska’s attacking response after Ballyroan-Abbey’s early penalty was particularly impressive. Davin McEvoy  converted the penalty for Ballyroan-Abbey, while Park-Ratheniska were also reduced by a black card for James Newell (2). Yet they responded brilliantly, running into space and taking the game directly to Ballyroan-Abbey.

Their attacking play produced scores from Conor Headen (14), Tom Fingleton (12) and Matt Cunningham (11), while Simon Fingleton (9) produced two massive two-pointers from play to give Park-Ratheniska a major attacking boost. One of those strikes came from near the sideline, highlighting the accuracy and range on display. Simon Fingleton also converted a free from an outrageously tight angle.

Despite dropping a few efforts short, Park-Ratheniska’s attacking display was excellent. They had moved away from the over-reliance on lateral handpassing that I had mentioned after Round 1 and were instead combining direct running with more kick-passing.

That approach helped them lead by two points at half-time.

Ballyroan-Abbey had their own moments of outstanding skill in the second half.

James McWey (13) delivered an absolutely incredible long, low kick-pass from around the 45-metre line, picking out Shaun Fitzpatrick (15) with a pass of around 20 metres. The quality of the delivery sent Fitzpatrick directly into the line of goal, and he finished the move with a goal from play.

McWey also produced a brilliant defensive intervention when he punched the ball out of the hands of two Park-Ratheniska players, although Ballyroan-Abbey were unfortunate not to regain possession. He also won a kickout in the second half.

James McWey(13) produced some outstanding scores, including the two most important scores late in the game to put Ballyroan-Abbey three points ahead with just two minutes remaining after Park-Ratheniska had drawn level. His accuracy and ability to get height on his long-range kicks were hugely important, particularly in the absence of Diarmuid Whelan.

There were defensive highlights too.

Matt Cunningham (11) of Park-Ratheniska produced a great block-down on a Ballyroan-Abbey attack, while Ballyroan-Abbey’s attacking quality and ability to take their chances ensured the game remained finely balanced.

The standout aspect of the game, however, was the contrast between Park-Ratheniska’s approach in Round 1 and the football they played here.

They deserve huge credit for being more adventurous.

More direct running. More kick-passing. More players attacking space.

And for long periods, it was highly effective.

Even though Ballyroan-Abbey’s improved defensive set-up in the second half made life much more difficult, Park-Ratheniska’s first-half display showed exactly how exciting and effective their football can be when they commit to playing with attacking intent.

Ballyroan Abbey: 2.17

Park Ratheniska: 0.17

Killeshin v Graiguecullen: Standout Player Moments as Killeshin make history

Killeshin defeat Graiguecullen for the first time in Laois SFC championship history

Conor Heffernan (9) of Killeshin was involved in a number of clever and important moments, particularly on kickouts. Under too much pressure to cleanly catch one high ball in midfield, Heffernan showed excellent initiative and split-second decision-making by slapping it down to Leeson Hughes (5). Hughes then made a great run along the wing, with the move eventually leading to a two-point free converted by Killian Roche (1).

Heffernan produced another clever slap-down in the second half, again showing his ability to adapt when there was no time to cleanly take possession. He later won a high ball, went on a strong run and won a crucial two-point free for Roche to convert after Graiguecullen had reduced the deficit to just two points with two minutes remaining. It was a huge moment in helping Killeshin see out the game.

Evan Lowry (15) showed great determination and work rate after scoring a point from play. Just seconds later, he worked hard to win the ball back in his own half following a Graiguecullen kickout and won a free for Killeshin. Lowry was also kicking excellently from long range, curling over a two-pointer from play and causing problems with dangerous high, dropping balls into the Graiguecullen defence. He finished with 0-5, including a two-pointer and a free.

However, Graiguecullen’s Warith Oyeniyi (2) produced what was, for me, the defensive performance of the weekend and the best individual defensive display of Round 3.

Lowry’s dangerous deliveries were repeatedly dealt with by Oyeniyi. On two occasions, he made vital interceptions and then reacted quickly to scoop up the loose ball as it landed before helping to clear the danger. Later, when Killeshin Eoin Cawley sent a hugely high, dropping ball into the attack, Oyeniyi again defended superbly, blocking space and man-marking his opponent to force the ball wide.

His excellent first-half display was immediately carried into the second half. On Killeshin’s first attack after the restart, Oyeniyi got his body and arms in the way of Jack Milton’s (11) shot for a point, forcing it short into the hands of the Graiguecullen goalkeeper.

He then showed another side to his defending when he held onto a short kickout under immense pressure from Milton and won a free out.

Graiguecullen were only two points down at half-time, and Oyeniyi’s defensive display was a major reason why. It could have been far worse for a Graiguecullen side that had struggled to find their rhythm going forward in the first half, but their right corner-back consistently prevented Killeshin from taking greater advantage.

Killeshin’s Eoin Cawley was also outstanding off the ball. Alongside Heffernan, he put great defensive pressure on Mark Timmons (6) around the 45-metre line, preventing him from using his pace to launch a dangerous attacking run.

On the next Graiguecullen attack, Cawley again showed his intensity and effectiveness with excellent man-marking and pressure, forcing Timmons into a wide.

His off-the-ball work was relentless and hugely effective.

Michael Doran gets my nod as overall the best player of the week ahead of other Killeshin players and Doran is my choice ahead of Evan Lowry, Eoin Cawley and Conor Heffernan for a place in my top Killeshin performer because of his ability to influence the game at both ends of the field.

Doran scored an outstanding two-pointer from an insanely tight and difficult angle in the second half, finishing with 0-2, including a two-pointer.

But Doran’s defensive work was equally impressive.

He produced a fantastic block on Graiguecullen’s Jack Byrne (15) as he attempted to score a point. He then followed that with a huge interception when Danny O’Brien (10) was through and looking to create a goal opportunity. Doran won a free out from the intervention, and that defensive turnover led directly to a score from Evan Lowry.

That ability to produce crucial defensive interventions while also scoring from difficult positions is why Doran gets my nod for top spot for player of the week.

Killeshin: 0.21

Graiguecullen: 1.14

Stradbally v The Heath

Stradbally: 1.15

The Heath: 1.12

Standout Players:

Stradbally

Conor Buggie (11) showed excellent skill and initiative early on. Even after slipping to the ground, he managed to get a touch on the ball while falling, rolling it towards a teammate and keeping Stradbally’s possession alive rather than allowing The Heath to turn it over. The move continued and eventually led to a free scored by David Donohue (15). Buggie also scored 0-1 himself.

Joe Larkin (12) produced a remarkable display of strength and pace in midfield, holding off three The Heath players to win possession in a three-versus-one battle and create an attacking opportunity. He later showed excellent anticipation to score Stradbally’s goal, reacting quickest after a long ball dropped short and was knocked down by the goalkeeper, getting in front to palm the ball into the net. Larkin finished with 1-0.

Jack Deegan (8) produced two important defensive interventions. He brilliantly dispossessed The Heath’s John McNamara in his own half, with the resulting turnover directly leading to Benny Lawlor’s two-point score from play. He also intercepted another dangerous ball in the second half and won a kickout that led to a score from Tom Shiel (14).

The Heath:

For The Heath, Jimmy Nerney (8) showed real bravery and attacking intent with a powerful run, using his physicality to take on opponents and break into space before handpassing to David O’Brien (5) for a well-worked score. Nerney then made an intelligent run into space to receive a pass and score himself, finishing with 0-1.

David O’Brien (5) also made an important attacking contribution in the second half, delivering a long kick pass into Nerney to create a great goal chance. Stradbally goalkeeper Garry Comerford came out to block the effort, but O’Brien’s vision and execution created the opportunity.

The standout defensive display came from Alan Whelan (4). He repeatedly read danger brilliantly, coming out to intercept dangerous balls and create turnovers. His best moment came in the second half when he produced a phenomenal, brave tackle to stop Cillian Maher from going one-on-one with The Heath goalkeeper. He later dispossessed Maher again and produced another interception to win possession and a free out. Whelan also scored 0-1.

O’Dempsey’s — Standout Player Moments

Cormac O’Hara

Cormac O’Hara (10) was excellent in creating turnovers and starting attacks. He pressured Arles Killeen’s Sean O’Shea (12) into overcarrying to win a free in midfield, then delivered a stunning long kick from the outside of his boot into Mark Barry (14). Barry laid it off to Eoin Finlay (15) for a one-on-one goal chance, which Finlay unfortunately put over the bar. O’Hora also won an Arles-Killeen kickout and later brilliantly intercepted a free from Donie Kingston (13), with the turnover leading to another Barry score. He won another kickout in the second half.

Johnny Kelly

Johnny Kelly (3) produced a brilliant all-round performance. He made an outstanding run from around his own 45 to the opposite 45 — approximately 100 metres — before laying the ball perfectly into Joe Lennon (7)‘s path, with Lennon punching over. Kelly was equally impressive defensively, producing superb tight marking on Colin Dunne (14) to keep him away from goal-scoring range and force him into a very tight angle, where he could only fist the ball over the bar.

Mark Barry

Mark Barry (14) was outstanding in attack. He opened the second half with two brilliant two-pointers, one from play and one from a free from around 55 metres. He also produced a superb interception which set up a shot for Joe Lennon and brilliantly fed Joe Finn (16) for a goal chance. Barry finished with 0-8, including a two-pointer and a two-point free.

Joe Finn

Joe Finn made an immediate impact after coming on at half-time, scoring 0-2 and creating a goal chance after combining with the excellent defensive work of Callum Ryan (2) and O’Hara.

Callum Ryan (2) produced a vital defensive block in the second half. When a handpass threatened to put an Arles-Killeen attacker through behind him, Ryan read the danger and got his body in the way to cut it out. O’Hara collected the loose ball and the resulting clearance led to a goal chance for Finn.

O’Dempseys 0.20

Arles Killeen 1.8

ENDS