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Leitrim GAA thread

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "If Leitrim can stay up in Division 3 next year it would be a genuine miracle. This is why the new management need to be trusted and given time. They have a whole batch of new players in training and hopefully they can uncover one or two players we didn't expect.

Thank god the new rules have got in as it should see the likes of Ryan O'Rourke, Keith Beirne and Darren Cox thrive.

However, We have lacked real man markers for a good few years now which is going be a major issue next year. We could be wide open.

The main problem I see us having is that with the new rules having a good midfield/Middle third will be key. And we are going to be without nearly every player who has impressed in midfield at Club or County level in the last 10 years.

Pearce Dolan,
Donal Wrynn,
Jack Gilheany
Mark Plunkett,
Paul Keaney,
Conor Cullen
Aaron Hoare
Shane Moran
Dean MCGovern
Fergal McTague
Conor Dwyer


Outside of Barry McNulty I don't see who is ready/capable of holding their own at Division three level.

Ben Guckian was excellent last year but probably needs another year of intensive S&C before being ready for midfield at county level so will probably be used at Wing Forward.
Radek Oberwan is physically ready but will be used a number 6 I think.

Anyone have have ideas? Jack Flynn?"
Pearse Dolan is the only player from that list capable of playing Midfield at intercounty level. Jack and Mark and Paul good enough but not as midfielders at intercounty level.

It's a huge area of concern. Barry McNulty will have to play there but I'd prefer to see him used like Donegal used to use Michael Murphy rotating between midfield and the fwd line.

Is there any players that could be approached under the parentage rule?

I think it's something that we should be looking into.
It hasn't worked out great the last few years but the likes of Declan Darcy and Jason Ward were huge players for Leitrim.

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 341 - 02/12/2024 13:58:28    2582043

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Replying To 3rdmidfielder:  "Pearse Dolan is the only player from that list capable of playing Midfield at intercounty level. Jack and Mark and Paul good enough but not as midfielders at intercounty level.

It's a huge area of concern. Barry McNulty will have to play there but I'd prefer to see him used like Donegal used to use Michael Murphy rotating between midfield and the fwd line.

Is there any players that could be approached under the parentage rule?

I think it's something that we should be looking into.
It hasn't worked out great the last few years but the likes of Declan Darcy and Jason Ward were huge players for Leitrim."
Completely agree that Pearce was the only natural midfielder out of that group. But when you factor in that none of them will be involved it's a disaster. That's pretty much all the middle third players from all our senior clubs.
Plunkett was more of an 11/12 and would have been perfect for the new rules. With more foot passing and long range shooting. That will be him and Daragh Rooney gone from the half forward line.

Yes, Paul Keaney is gone. It is said he doesn't have the required commitment levels.

Ryan Donoghue is the perfect solution to all this seeing as he is a Leitrim man but it seems he'll be back in with Cavan again.

Leitrim1234 (Leitrim) - Posts: 319 - 02/12/2024 14:13:37    2582046

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Completely agree that Pearce was the only natural midfielder out of that group. But when you factor in that none of them will be involved it's a disaster. That's pretty much all the middle third players from all our senior clubs.
Plunkett was more of an 11/12 and would have been perfect for the new rules. With more foot passing and long range shooting. That will be him and Daragh Rooney gone from the half forward line.

Yes, Paul Keaney is gone. It is said he doesn't have the required commitment levels.

Ryan Donoghue is the perfect solution to all this seeing as he is a Leitrim man but it seems he'll be back in with Cavan again."
Ya Plunkett and Rooney are huge losses from the half fwd line. Plunkett could fill in at 6 as well. Paul Keaney is a nice footballer but i think he lacks the pace to really push on at intercounty level. He never really pushed on from when he came on the scene a few years ago.

Hearing mixed reports of new set up, it really is a huge challenge for Poacher and I fully expect 2025 to be a difficult year. He will need time.

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 341 - 02/12/2024 15:24:18    2582063

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Anyone want to make a stab at a starting 15?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1036 - 02/12/2024 18:23:08    2582096

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Replying To Square_B:  "Anyone want to make a stab at a starting 15?"
1. Nevin O'Donnell
2. Cathal McHugh
3. Donal Casey
4. Kieran Clancy
5. Radek Obevan
6. Mark Diffley
7. Shane Quinn ? Not sure on his availability though
8. Barry McNulty
9. Ben Guckian
10. Darren Cox
11. Evan Sweeney
12.Riordan O'Rourke
13. Ryan O'Rourke
14. Keith Beirne
15. Tom Prior

Hoping those 15 are all available , really struggling in defence and going to be very light on bench. Probably left out a few maybe

JimmyNail (Leitrim) - Posts: 250 - 02/12/2024 18:56:53    2582106

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Replying To JimmyNail:  "1. Nevin O'Donnell
2. Cathal McHugh
3. Donal Casey
4. Kieran Clancy
5. Radek Obevan
6. Mark Diffley
7. Shane Quinn ? Not sure on his availability though
8. Barry McNulty
9. Ben Guckian
10. Darren Cox
11. Evan Sweeney
12.Riordan O'Rourke
13. Ryan O'Rourke
14. Keith Beirne
15. Tom Prior

Hoping those 15 are all available , really struggling in defence and going to be very light on bench. Probably left out a few maybe"
Not a bad team, could be better but it's probably the best we have right now.. dunno how many years Quinn and Sweeney have left, would say I could count them on one hand so would have them as impact subs, but a new team needs experienced leaders. Any other new lads that could move the needle somewhat? Just not sure what that team can achieve

gaelsboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 570 - 02/12/2024 21:20:42    2582119

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Replying To gaelsboy:  "Not a bad team, could be better but it's probably the best we have right now.. dunno how many years Quinn and Sweeney have left, would say I could count them on one hand so would have them as impact subs, but a new team needs experienced leaders. Any other new lads that could move the needle somewhat? Just not sure what that team can achieve"
Tbh that doesn't install confidence but it probably is what we are working with, I agree with you players like Quinn and Sweeney haven't long left and I wouldn't have them as starters either but they deserve great credit for showing up year after year. There is no chance that team stays up in division 3.

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 341 - 03/12/2024 08:31:13    2582145

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Replying To JimmyNail:  "1. Nevin O'Donnell
2. Cathal McHugh
3. Donal Casey
4. Kieran Clancy
5. Radek Obevan
6. Mark Diffley
7. Shane Quinn ? Not sure on his availability though
8. Barry McNulty
9. Ben Guckian
10. Darren Cox
11. Evan Sweeney
12.Riordan O'Rourke
13. Ryan O'Rourke
14. Keith Beirne
15. Tom Prior

Hoping those 15 are all available , really struggling in defence and going to be very light on bench. Probably left out a few maybe"
Afraid there's some people on that team who have left the panel!

AverageFootball (Leitrim) - Posts: 17 - 03/12/2024 09:14:50    2582147

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Replying To Square_B:  "Anyone want to make a stab at a starting 15?"
Killian Gaffey

Adam Reynolds Donal Casey (if fit) Mark Diffley

Jack Foley Radek Oberwan Cillian McGloin

Barry McNulty
???

Ben Guckian Keith Beirne Tom Prior

Ryan O'Rourke Niall Walsh* Darren Cox

I think Gaffey time has come in Goals his kickouts are by far the best in the county and will be especially vital with the new rules. Harsh on O'Donnell as he has performed well.
Not sure if theres anyone on that team that has not committed this year. Maybe someone else would know? Not sure if Cillian McGloin or Casey are fit yet after long term injuries.
Jamie McGreal, Cathal McHugh and Kieran Clancy have also been blooded in the last few years and could be options.

Do we know what or if any Mohill lads outside of Keith Beirne have opted in? Jordan Reynolds, Conor Quinn and the Harkins would be good additions. Reynolds would start if he is in? Senan Harte from Ballinamore would be another player I'd have a look at for around the middle.

Leitrim1234 (Leitrim) - Posts: 319 - 03/12/2024 09:39:55    2582149

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Hi lads are fixtures out for league yet?

leitrimcolm (Leitrim) - Posts: 1 - 03/12/2024 11:40:16    2582166

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Replying To JimmyNail:  "1. Nevin O'Donnell
2. Cathal McHugh
3. Donal Casey
4. Kieran Clancy
5. Radek Obevan
6. Mark Diffley
7. Shane Quinn ? Not sure on his availability though
8. Barry McNulty
9. Ben Guckian
10. Darren Cox
11. Evan Sweeney
12.Riordan O'Rourke
13. Ryan O'Rourke
14. Keith Beirne
15. Tom Prior

Hoping those 15 are all available , really struggling in defence and going to be very light on bench. Probably left out a few maybe"
If that is the starting team we are going to get destroyed on both our own and opposition kickouts especially if teams push up (which i expect they will)
Mcnulty and guckian only 2 fielders and a wing forward line with average height of 5,10 will win nothing

I believe we will get well bet this year in div 3 , truthfully are only real quality is the full forward line and i cant see enough ball getting into them!

Donal casey will be out until the end of the league and if we continue like previous years and pick up 3-4 injuries the bench has nothing to offer .

Saying that, my starting team that might offer some hope in a good system would be

Gaffey- far better than o donnell on k/o
Adam reynolds- tight and tigerish
Diffley - good leader- needs to improve man marking skills
Cathal mchugh - pace
Jack foley - brilliant runner
Radek oberwan - strong + good ball winner
Diarmuid kelleher - pace and can score
Barry mcnulty - all of the above ( will he be more effective in ff line with new rules)
??? No other midfielder springs to mind
Evan harkin - underrated , great runner
Squidgy keegan - size and running
Ben guckian - great talent + pace
Tom prior - direct
Ryan o Rourke - great except injuries
Keith beirne - need one long high ball winner inside

Roadtodiv3 (Leitrim) - Posts: 7 - 03/12/2024 12:30:30    2582174

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Anyone in the know about when the Division 3 fixtures are released?

Based upon when we last played the other counties in league fixtures down through the years it looks like we will have Antrim, Clare, Fermanagh and Laois all at home. Offaly and Sligo will be away and i assume we will have to travel to Kildare also (It's early 90s since we last faced them in the league??)

We are up against it for sure and will be heavy favourites to go down and all other counties will be banking on picking up 2 points from us. Home games as always will be crucial for us. Be great if we got a home fixture to start the campaign and managed to get a result out of it. Would give us something to build on then.

juande_ramos (Leitrim) - Posts: 85 - 03/12/2024 13:55:35    2582186

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Replying To Roadtodiv3:  "If that is the starting team we are going to get destroyed on both our own and opposition kickouts especially if teams push up (which i expect they will)
Mcnulty and guckian only 2 fielders and a wing forward line with average height of 5,10 will win nothing

I believe we will get well bet this year in div 3 , truthfully are only real quality is the full forward line and i cant see enough ball getting into them!

Donal casey will be out until the end of the league and if we continue like previous years and pick up 3-4 injuries the bench has nothing to offer .

Saying that, my starting team that might offer some hope in a good system would be

Gaffey- far better than o donnell on k/o
Adam reynolds- tight and tigerish
Diffley - good leader- needs to improve man marking skills
Cathal mchugh - pace
Jack foley - brilliant runner
Radek oberwan - strong + good ball winner
Diarmuid kelleher - pace and can score
Barry mcnulty - all of the above ( will he be more effective in ff line with new rules)
??? No other midfielder springs to mind
Evan harkin - underrated , great runner
Squidgy keegan - size and running
Ben guckian - great talent + pace
Tom prior - direct
Ryan o Rourke - great except injuries
Keith beirne - need one long high ball winner inside"
Won't be a problem not picking O Donnell in goals. Jumped ship

williesboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 429 - 03/12/2024 14:19:15    2582195

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Replying To williesboy:  "Won't be a problem not picking O Donnell in goals. Jumped ship"
Where to?

southleitrim_mafia (Leitrim) - Posts: 113 - 03/12/2024 14:49:55    2582205

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Replying To williesboy:  "Won't be a problem not picking O Donnell in goals. Jumped ship"
Shur O'Donnell must be well into his early 30's and from what I know played with Leitrim as far back as 2016. Let's be honest he was brought in to steady the goalkeeping crisis we had a few years back. If he's decided to step away, fair enough, he's had more than his fair share of injuries in the past.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1036 - 03/12/2024 16:13:21    2582216

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Just looking at the new rules for the year and the teams that have been posted on this forum - Gaff is needed for the 40m Arc kickout along with two rangey midfields, half-backs and half-forwards. This is going to be a huge struggle to win the ball as the short kick out is gone (not allowed go back to keeper). Not being able to fill the holes in our defence from last year with bringing forwards back is also gone out the window with 3/3 back - Leitrim conceded 10 goals in Div.4 last year very worrying.

blacklion1 (Cavan) - Posts: 3 - 03/12/2024 16:49:27    2582222

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Replying To Square_B:  "Shur O'Donnell must be well into his early 30's and from what I know played with Leitrim as far back as 2016. Let's be honest he was brought in to steady the goalkeeping crisis we had a few years back. If he's decided to step away, fair enough, he's had more than his fair share of injuries in the past."
Part of another training panel I'm hearing.

williesboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 429 - 03/12/2024 17:16:10    2582225

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Replying To williesboy:  "Part of another training panel I'm hearing."
Cavan?

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 341 - 03/12/2024 21:51:48    2582269

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