The last time local Louth media spoke with Minor manager Eamon McEnaney it was in the aftermath of the Leinster Championship semi-final defeat by Kildare at Hunterstown when the home side kicked themselves out of the game shooting 14 wides over the 60 minutes. However, on Saturday McEnaney’s side produced a controlled performance which saw accuracy in front of the posts improve dramatically, composure on the ball and good game management when they trailed during the second-half to overhaul Cavan and pull away in the
closing minutes for a comfortable 3-13 to 2-8 victory. “Today we took our scores compared to where we did the last day [v Kildare] and we showed great character in the end and were a bit calmer on the ball and found men in the right positions and guys that came off the bench made a big difference as well,” said McEnaney after the game. “We scored 1-1 off the bench so that’s what has to happen for you to win games. We didn’t get
that the last day but you know, Cavan are as good a team as there is around. They led Tyrone by 11 points last week with 13 minutes to go and lost the game. “So they were hurting today as well and then Tyrone went on to win Ulster. So Cavan is a very good side, a good team for us to beat and we look forward to the match against Monaghan next week.” At half-time, after controlling much of the opening 30 minutes, Louth
only led 1-6 to 0-6, so was McEnaney content at that stage? “We were happy enough because it might not seem like it, but there was enough of a breeze there to make a difference and particularly on kick-outs.” the Louth manager said. “We were happy at half-time with where we were at. We mentioned a few things to the boys that we needed to tidy up in the second-half, which I think we managed to do. “I think we were unfortunate to give away
that [second] goal. The referee was talking to one of our men and the game went ahead. But the character the fellas showed to come back and to keep answering and keep getting scores and keep chipping away, and then we got our scores near the end that made all the difference.” What was the difference for McEnaney, he mentioned calmness and that’s the thing that perhaps stood out as being a huge difference from the Kildare game – this time when Louth went behind,
there was no panic, there was no rush in their play. “We talked about that after the last game and said to the boys, look, one of our biggest attributes is being good on the ball, and calm on the ball, and minding the ball, and we didn’t really do that in the second-half against Kildare,” he said, “Whether it was because it was a Leinster Championship and you were at home and you were panicking because you weren’t getting scores, but I think the
boys learned from that and we didn’t go down that line today and in fairness I’m delighted for the boys. “They’re such a good bunch of lads that we deserve to get another outing and that’s what we’re looking at the next day out. It’s a good experience for the boys, it keeps them playing at a higher level and it means that you get going deeper into the year and that they’re not breaking up and it’s gone.” Had the Louth manager found it
difficult to lift his side over the last couple of weeks in preparation for the McGirr Cup? “The first week was very difficult because they were obviously very disappointed but the last couple of weeks have been good,” he acknowledged. “This week, I would say 10 days out from the match it’s been good, you know, with the training etc., and they were pushing each other on and in fairness there was no slacking off in what we’re doing. “They did their best and they
gave of their best there today and that’s all you can do.”
Louth, Cavan, McGirr Cup, Eamon McEnaney, Minor manager, Monaghan, Leinster Championship, Hunterstown, Tyrone