We finished our block of three games in the Leinster League with 2 disappointing loses by the Performance and Development teams on the road in Dublin. From the two teams point of view we had failed to meet the targets that we had set ourselves from this block of three games. We came away with 2 wins from 3; the halt of momentum will need the boys to refocus. While we still find ourselves in 1st and 5th place on the league tables at the end of 2016, we had a chance to finish the year in the Leinster League strongly. But make no mistake the challenge of Railway away was always a tough one, especially after only just taking the win at home in the 1st round of fixtures. The fact it was 0-0 for over half the game showed how tough it was. Our failure to take our chances created under pressure proved costly and will be a work on for the rest of the season. The Development team started so well in Railway and even at HT were still in it but we couldn’t kick on. But again 5th place in the the table at the end of 2016 is an achievement, especially considering we had no 2nds team 12 months ago. It was a physical contest in both games and we shifted a few knocks that will need to be managed, so maybe the Christmas break will come at the right time. The bonus point the Development side gained in losing by less than seven points could prove vital at the end of the season.
The Division 2A League table is extremely tight and it will take a look at ourselves and our roles to achieve our targets for the season. With every game as big as the next one it will mean we need to handle the pressure of the games and that means recreating that pressure at training.
But one more game is on the schedule before Christmas and it is the local derby against Mullingar in the Midland League. The boys can manage the knocks and hit training this Friday to work on the challenge of facing the team playing in the League above us.
