Match Report - London v Carlow

Exiles fall short but continue to improve

NFL Division Four

Carlow 0-12

London 0-9

By Tony Tighe, Irish Post

London’s final home game in this year’s National League ended in defeat last Saturday, but for Noel Dunning and his selectors the positives far outweigh the negatives. 
 
Yes, the Exiles suffered their sixth league defeat from seven games, but the scoreline only tells part of this story. For long spells London looked likely winners in this contest, only to be hit three times on the counter attack late on. 
 
This game outlined how frustrating the National League is for London. They are well behind other counties in terms of fitness and match sharpness when the first round of games commence, and when they finally get up to speed the league is approaching its end and they are well out of contention. 
 
You need to look at the bigger picture. London are going to finish towards the bottom end of Division Four once again, but in terms of getting into shape for next month’s Connacht Championship tie with Roscommon, they are progressing quite nicely. 
 
The Ruislip terrain was in a shocking state last weekend, the heavy rain earlier in the week resulting in an energy-sapping pitch, with surface water in places. Yet London were full of running throughout, showed no signs of fatigue, and were still in contention with Carlow as the game entered time added-on. 
 
The improvement regarding breaking ball has been huge, an area where they came out on top against the Barrowsiders, and after many new additions they are starting to gel and look like a team. 
 
Throw in the fact that Darren Horan and Donal Conlon were unavailable, while the furore over Brian Smyth’s registration saw him sidelined, and you can see a quiet confidence growing that they can put it up to Roscommon on May 30. 
 
Captain Conor Beirne inspired his teammates with a superb display, usurping the Carlow midfield and creating plenty of chances for the forwards. Noel Tuohy was immense under the breaking ball, while Niall Egan left Padraig Murphy in his wake on numerous occasions in the first half. 
 
Killian Phair looked assured from dead balls, kicking five from five, goalkeeper Evan Byrne coped with everything Carlow could throw at him, and in front of him, Barry Comer outlined his commitment to the cause with a stunning block late on that left him with a bloody nose. 
 
So things are looking up, but there are still areas of major improvement for London. The main one is the amount of unforced errors they commit. On numerous occasions they excelled in winning back possession, only to then give the ball straight back to the opposition through lack of concentration. It was the principle reason they lost this game. 
 
London certainly caught Carlow cold early on, with two forays forward by Beirne leading to two points from Phair frees. 
 
Egan was giving his marker Murphy a torrid time, leading him a merry dance, and the corner-back was lucky not to receive a yellow card when he kicked the Round Towers attacker from behind. 
 
Carlow got off the mark on eight minutes through an Eric McCormack free, having spurned a host of earlier chances. Murphy then levelled matters on 19 minutes only for Jack Cott to split the posts from an outrageously acute angle. 
 
Despite this wondrous score, it was a mixed day for the Cuchulainns man, who was twice penalised for travelling and was, at times, guilty of trying the extravagant pass instead of the easy option. 
 
As half-time approached London had what looked a stonewall penalty turned down by referee Gregory Walsh. Conor Conneely, who had been rightly booked moments earlier for a needless lunge, was poleaxed inside the area but Walsh wasn’t convinced. 
 
That was just one of many incidents missed by the Antrim official, who frustrated both teams with his incessant whistling and overall fussiness. The heavy, treacherous pitch made playing conditions tough enough without Walsh blowing for the most innocuous of fouls. 
 
A superb late score from Tuohy sent the teams in level at the break, 05 apiece, and a Kevin O’Leary point within one minute of the restart had London back in front. 
 
But then Carlow enjoyed a purple patch. A sweeping move saw Mark Carpenter convert, and Foley pointed from the resultant kickout after poor judgement from goalkeeper Byrne. 
 
That prompted Dunning to introduce Carlow native Derek Hayden, who had chatted and joked with his former teammates on the bench, although those friendly scenes took a dramatic change when he was introduced on 44 minutes. 
 
Some disparaging remarks were aimed at Hayden from the away bench, while on the field he was on the receiving end of some hefty challenges that somehow went unpunished. 
 
Hayden sparked life into London but they were guilty of missing some gilt-edged chances, particularly Egan who had seen little ball come his way in the second half. 
 
And as London chased the game they were hit on the break, with Simon Rea grabbing two of Carlow’s three late points to see his side home — a disappointing end to a heartening London display. 
 
As London departed the dressing room for a well-earned feed, one player summed up the current mood in the camp. “It was disappointing to lose,” he said, “but the big one is next month and we’re well on track for that.” 
 
Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Man of the match: Conor Beirne (London) 
 
London: E Byrne; D Egan, B Comer, R Ormsby; N Tuohy (0-1), J Niblock, K O’Leary (0-1); E O’Cuiv, C Beirne; C Conneely, K Phair (0-5f), C McCallion; N Egan, A Moyles (0-1), J Cott (0-1). Subs: D Hayden for Conneely (44); J Callery for Comer (60). 
 
Carlow: M Hennessy; P Murphy (0-1), J Hayden, S Myers; B Kavanagh, S Redmond, P McElligot; J Murphy, D Foley (0-1); W Minchin (0-1), JJ Smith, M Carpenter (0-1); E McCormack (0-2f), S Rea (0-3, 1f), J Kavanagh (0-2, 1f). Subs: K Doyle for McCormack (26); T Bolger (0-1) for McElligot; B Rooney for Myers (49); D Dowling for J Murphy (59). 
 
Referee: G Walsh (Antrim)

Next up for London

Sunday 11th April
Allianz GAA Football National League Roinn IV 2010 Round 9
An Longfort V Londain
Time: 1 00 PM,
Venue: Pearse Park, Longford
Referee: Michael Mc Gann - An Clar