Patrick-Armagh
Well-Known Member
Today's performance and result was a real let down and was a snap shot of our league campaign in general. Started poorly, got better as the game went on and then let it slip at the end. The first half performance was awful and simply wasn't good enough. It was obvious that the players knew deep down that it didn't matter and played like that. The two goals were awful and carbon copies of each other. I thought it was a poor move having Patrick Burns, on his first start, marking their danger man. He got caught out for both goals and had a few other misreadings of the game, but did improve as it went on. Cork's players were able to run from deep time and again, right up the middle without being stopped. This shouldn't happen, especially when you have a packed defence.
We got better as the game progressed and stepped it up the second half. Joe McIlroy should really have played in Niall Grimley who would have had a simple palm into the net. But he went for a point and then they got a third goal which was terrible defending from us, with a player running from deep again. I also thought our shooting was terrible. Grugan and Grimley missed two easy frees. Jemar Hall dropped a straight forward chance into the keepers hands. Aidan Nugent had a chance and shot from far out when he had plenty of room to run into to make it an easier chance.
In terms of the ref, I thought he did ok. I had no problem with Grimley's black card or Rafferty's. I know people thought that Cork should have had some too. There was one on the left side of the square when someone was hauled back. That could have been one, just depends how it's interpreted. Is that cynical or an over zealous tackle? Then Nugent had his short pulled after Clarke had been fouled. I thought that Deegan had played the advantage after Clarke was fouled, but then he didn't give a card at all for the shorts tug, so did he just call the foul on Clarke? Other than that, I didn't have an issue with him.
Overall it was a sloppy performance with too many players not being fully at it. Our goal kicks and general play was just off target. This is a disappointing way to finish the league as a win would have been a good boost going into Down in the Championship. There's a tonne of work to be done and a lot of players need to find some form and fitness if we are to win.
We got better as the game progressed and stepped it up the second half. Joe McIlroy should really have played in Niall Grimley who would have had a simple palm into the net. But he went for a point and then they got a third goal which was terrible defending from us, with a player running from deep again. I also thought our shooting was terrible. Grugan and Grimley missed two easy frees. Jemar Hall dropped a straight forward chance into the keepers hands. Aidan Nugent had a chance and shot from far out when he had plenty of room to run into to make it an easier chance.
In terms of the ref, I thought he did ok. I had no problem with Grimley's black card or Rafferty's. I know people thought that Cork should have had some too. There was one on the left side of the square when someone was hauled back. That could have been one, just depends how it's interpreted. Is that cynical or an over zealous tackle? Then Nugent had his short pulled after Clarke had been fouled. I thought that Deegan had played the advantage after Clarke was fouled, but then he didn't give a card at all for the shorts tug, so did he just call the foul on Clarke? Other than that, I didn't have an issue with him.
Overall it was a sloppy performance with too many players not being fully at it. Our goal kicks and general play was just off target. This is a disappointing way to finish the league as a win would have been a good boost going into Down in the Championship. There's a tonne of work to be done and a lot of players need to find some form and fitness if we are to win.
