SFC Quarter Finals: Talking Points

SFC Quarter Finals: Talking Points

Photo credit: Paul Dargan

1. St Joseph’s Proved They Can Be A Firing Attacking Unit

St Joseph’s have completely changed my mind about them.

After their Round 2A victory over Graiguecullen, I wrote this piece here. In my opinion, St.Josephs: the hardest team on the eye to watch in the Laois SFC. Despite winning, they were extremely dour to watch, rarely direct and appeared more interested in retaining possession through handpassing than taking the game to their opponents.

In other words, as I overheard a spectator describe it here as, “they play keep ball, not football”. 

I was terribly shocked and dissapointed with the scoreless game 15 minutes into the 1st half v graigue and with joseph’s absolutle relectance to attack.

I struggled to stay awake.

I feared the same style vs Ballyroan Abbey and didnt feel that excited for that game as last Sunday came around.

Here’s how much they changed approach (to my delight) in just one round of football:

Example:

With a three-point lead in injury time, Joseph’s could easily have reverted to the type of possession football I criticised earlier in the championship, retaining the ball, going backwards and simply trying to run down the clock. Keep ball not football.

They did the opposite. They played football at its absolute best. Attack, attack, attack. (Whilst also having a cohesive defensive unit so they couldnt be too wide open whilst attacking, to protect themselves at the back from Ballyroan possible counters.)

Michael Keogh scored a two-pointer before Gearoid Lynch added another point from play.

That was perhaps the biggest indication of how dramatically St Joseph’s had changed their approach.

Previously, I had argued that the proposed handpass-limit rule being discussed within the GAA would be particularly beneficial for spectators watching a team such as St Joseph’s.

After watching this performance, however, I no longer believe they need it: provided they continue to play football like this.

1. They have shown that they can attack.

2. They have shown that they can run at teams.

3. They have shown that they can break defensive lines.

And, most importantly, they have shown that they can entertain.

Mick Keogh led the scoring with 1-6, including two two-pointers, while Gearoid Lynch added 1-1. Eoghan O’Flaherty contributed 0-3, with one coming from a free, while Darragh Farrell scored 0-2, including a mark. James Kelly, Eoin Johnson, Brian Daly and Robbie Murphy also got on the scoresheet.

I am eating my words after what I wrote following the Graiguecullen game.

St Joseph’s went from looking like the most boring team in the championship in Round 2A to being, for me, the most exciting team of the weekend in the quarter-finals.

Credit must go to the players, but also to the coaching staff for allowing this team to play with far greater freedom and attacking intent.

And what a difference it made.

This performance has also changed the complexion of the Laois SFC title race for me. Portarlington remain the team to beat, but they have not looked quite as impressive as many expected.

St Joseph’s, meanwhile, have suddenly emerged as their biggest challengers.

Portarlington may still win the title, and perhaps even remain favourites to do so: but after this performance, St Joseph’s have made it very clear that they intend to have a say in the destination of the trophy.

Against Ballyroan-Abbey in the quarter-final, St Joseph’s were a completely different proposition.

They were direct, aggressive and exciting, repeatedly breaking defensive lines with powerful forward runs and quick combinations. Most importantly, they entertained.

The difference was evident from the opening stages. St Joseph’s raced into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead after just 13 minutes, constantly putting the Ballyroan-Abbey defence under pressure.

Oisin Hooney, Eoin Johnson and Danny Hickey were at the heart of everything positive about their attacking play. All three repeatedly beat defenders with their pace and direct running, while their ability to combine with one another opened up space for teammates.

Johnson got himself on the scoresheet in the first half, while Hickey and Hooney combined beautifully for another opportunity. Hickey drove forward before linking up with Hooney, whose quick pass found Eoghan O’Flaherty, only for the effort to be blocked and eventually result in a 45.

Even when Hooney, Johnson and Hickey were forced to take a step backwards with possession, there was a clear difference from what I had seen previously. Rather than simply moving the ball backwards and sideways, they were patiently waiting for the opportunity to burst forward again and utilise their pace.

That was the key difference.

There was purpose to their possession.

And the crowd responded accordingly. The St Joseph’s supporters were noticeably louder than they had been against Graiguecullen, because this was a team giving them something to get excited about.

Hooney was particularly influential and produced one of the moments of the game for Michael Keogh’s goal. He won a high ball kicked into the danger area and, despite being momentarily dispossessed, refused to accept the loss of possession. Hooney immediately fought back, won the ball again and then produced a superb pass across goal for Keogh, who made no mistake from the corner.

It summed up the attitude of St Joseph’s on the day.

Hickey was equally impressive in the defensive side of the game. Just a minute into the second half, he was first to a loose ball after a blocked Ballyroan-Abbey effort and his intervention helped prevent further danger. He then won another Ballyroan-Abbey kick-out on breaking ball.

There was also a vital moment late on when Hickey produced an outstanding tackle to prevent Shaun Fitzpatrick from getting through for a goal. Instead of potentially falling two points behind, Ballyroan-Abbey had to settle for a Diarmuid Whelan point to level the game.

That tackle could ultimately be viewed as a two-point save.

Ultimately and most importantly, the difference in Joseph’s approach vs Graiguecullen compared to vs Ballyroan Abbey being the difference between night and day.

They now face Courtwood: and if Courtwood improve their performance v Stradbally and step up: hopefully we are in for a delightful mouth watering attacking high scoring contest.

Which brings us to Courtwood v Stradbally:

2. Courtwood Unimpressive Despite Win: Credit to Stradbally for Going Out With a Huge Fight

This is why I mention only Stradbally players as the standouts below as Courtwood just limped to victory despite a huge Stradbally test (ultimately it was Stradbally who let the huge chance of defeating Courtwood slip and not the opposite) Courtwood limped to the semi finals without impressing, just like Portarlington.

Stradbally’s defensive effort was a major feature of their performance, with their well-organised backline repeatedly frustrating Courtwood’s attacks and forcing turnovers.

Sean Maher was outstanding at the heart of the Stradbally defence and is deservedly my Man of the Match. He produced a superb tackle and turnover on Courtwood danger man Sean O’Flynn, while he was also strong in the air and on kickouts. One interception from a Courtwood kickout helped create a chance for David Dineen, who clipped the post with his effort.

Maher continued to make his presence felt as he intercepted another Courtwood kickout, while he later won a free after using his pace to clear the danger. His best moment came in the second half when he blocked Ryan Little’s goal attempt and deflected the ball over the bar. He also produced a crucial goal-saving tackle on Alan Kinsella late on to further underline his excellent display.

Jack Deegan was also highly effective defensively, making a superb tackle and turnover on O’Flynn before another interception from a Courtwood kickout helped set up a Joe Larkin point, with a goal chance also developing from the move. Deegan then turned over Alan Kinsella in another dangerous Courtwood attack, with the resulting possession leading to Tom Shiel’s two-pointer.

Conor McDonald also made a significant defensive contribution, producing an excellent tackle and turnover on a dangerous Cian Doyle attack. The resulting turnover eventually led to a David Dineen point, while McDonald was again involved moments later when he forced Doyle to shoot wide.

David Donohue added to the strong defensive showing, making a fine tackle on Rob Tyrell during a Courtwood attack following Donohue’s goal, he scored his own goal and seconds later prevented a Courtwood one as he raced from attack to help out in defence. He also produced another interception and turnover again after this on Courtwood’s Rob Tyrell again while his work helped maintain the pressure on Courtwood’s attack.

Courtwood eventually dug out the win, but Stradbally’s defensive performance was one of the most impressive aspects of the contest, with their tackling, interceptions and organisation ensuring Courtwood were rarely given an easy route through: despite Courtwood winning.