Frustration the key emotion following Rebel rousing

NFL DIV 2 REACTION New manager disappointed with missed chances and concession of frees

Frustration was the over-riding emotion for new Meath manager Robbie Brennan when he spoke to the waiting media in the belly of the new stand at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday night.

There were plenty of positives to take for the Dunboyne man from an entertaining contest, but his frustration at the squandered chances and the con cession of careless frees was obvious.

Meath were well in the game for 47 minutes and for the vast majority of the opening three-quarters of an hour they were the better team.

However they allowed Cork stay in the game with eight of their 1-13 tally at that stage coming from frees, including a two-pointer from Brian O'Driscoll. All bar three of Meath's 13 points up to that stage had come from enterprising and intelligent play.

Also up to that stage Meath had kicked three wides to Cork's two as both sides were very efficient, but then after Meath got themselves level, 0-16 to 1-13, they went awry, like the best laid plans of mice and men often do.

Meath added another nine wides to their tally and in an effort to get back into a game that quickly got away with them they dropped a number of two-point attempts short.

In the 15-minute spell between the 48th and 62nd minute during which Meath failed to score and were denied a clear penalty, Cork added 1-5 to their total (including a two-point converted free from Mark Cronin) to move 2-18 to 0-16 ahead with only eight minutes of the regulation 70 remaining.

It is easy to see why Brennan was so frustrated.

"it's frustrating. When you look at the numbers, we conceded 11 scoreable frees and we missed 19 chances either short or wide, that's a big turnaround so there is huge frustration," admitted the manager.

"We came down here to win and now we feel that we have left that one behind us.

"The positives for us are those numbers because it means we have created those opportunities.

"After they got their (first) goal we responded well and that is something we have been working on, being able to respond in the face of adversity.

"We came back and got level, I personally felt we should have had a penalty (when Jordan Morris appeared to be fouled) that would have drawn us level again, that would have been a different ball game, but those are the breaks.

"Frustration is the biggest emotion (in the dressing room) because the numbers tell us that we had our opportunities. If you get those chances in this modern game you have to take them, but we didn't take them so we have to go and improve that.

"There is frustration, but we'll get a bit of grub now, get on the bus, head back home and turn our attentions to Cavan straight away."

As a spectacle the game was one of the most enjoyable at that level for some time and the new rules contributed enormously.

There were still a few teething problems for the officials with referee Derek O'Mahoney missing two-point scores for both sides, but overall the new rule enhancements certainly improved the game.

The new kickout rule ensured plenty of midfield contests and that played right into the hands of players like the returning Bryan Menton who had a fine game around the middle.

"Cork certainly felt they should have had a two-pointer they were remonstrating a lot," recalled Brennan.

"To be honest you cannot see the lines from pitch level. Even some of the shots we had we weren't sure and we were waiting on the umpires and the linesman to make a call

"It is a tricky one, but I like the two-pointers. If you are behind you can focus on trying to work two-point opportunities to try to get yourself back in the game.

"We nearly did that tonight, but from a visual point of view it is hard to judge.

"As a spectator the new rules make the game more enjoyable to watch, that's the reality. While some of us might want more numbers back so we can defend a bit better, the reality is is that is what it is.

"As a spectacle it will settle a little bit more and people should enjoy it more than the old rules.

"Bryan (Menton) has been moving very well in training so it is not a surprise to see him play like that again and bring the leadership around the group.

"He caught a couple of great balls for us and kept us going when we were in a little bit of trouble there in the second-half. He had a good game."

Jordan Morris was outstanding in the opening half and caused Cork all sorts of problems as he scored four points from play and was a general nuisance.

However, after the half-time break Cork reshuffled their defensive deck and locked up the Kingscourt Stars man, much to further frustration for Brennan.

"Jordan is one of the top forwards in the country. When you see some of the stuff he does in training it is phenomenal. He caused Cork a lot of trouble in the first half, but it is very difficult to keep that going for 70 minutes.

"He brought attention on himself for the second-half and they snuffed him out at times, but he was still battling for it, he was still working hard and trying to create the opportunities. I thought he had a great game overall.

"That (creating goal chances) is something we will have to work on. Jordan (Morris) had a good chance in the first half which would have been a good finish, but again he was probably fouled as he was taking that chance.

"We do need to create more goal chances because we didn't really test their 'keeper after that so that is something we need to look at."

When Cork enjoyed their purple patch and used the momentum to pull eight points clear, Meath just couldn't wrestle back control and it is that aspect of the new rules that doesn't really allow a team to kill momentum that also was a source of frustration for Brennan.

"With the way the rules are set you can lose five or six kickouts in a row because most kickouts are going long and you are either lucky or you're not with a breaking ball.

"That is where the response has to come from our lads. When the first goal went in we had a brilliant spell to get it back, that's the way the game is. It is basketball stuff, it is going up and down and trying to wrestle momentum back is the hardest part.

"The new rules don't allow you to kill momentum. That cynical part of the game that we all got really good at is gone, particularly with the solo and go.

"Huge credit to the Football Review Committee for bringing those new rules in because it makes it a better spectacle.

"We spoke about it (moving an advanced free out for a two-point attempt) during the week that if those opportunities arose and we needed two points then we would take them because it was worth the game.

"It is part of game management. You mightn't take that option earlier in the game, but at that time of the match it was worth attempting (Costello's missed chance in the 72nd minute).

Now all focus shifts to a massive game against neighbours Cavan in Pairc Tailteann next Sunday.

Brennan is hoping to have come through the Cork game with any injuries, but he will be without James McEntee who was withdrawn from the matchday panel after he picked up a bad injury at training last Thursday night.

The manager will also be without his Sigerson Cup stars including captain Eoghan Frayne, vice-captain Ciaran Caulfield and ace marksman Morris for training as they play with their colleges, but Brennan accepts those obstacles and is looking forward to the Cavan test.

"James (McEntee) was flying ironically and as you saw he was due to be in the matchday squad, but he got injured on Thursday night.

"It was something innocuous. He just twisted awkwardly, but we still don't know exactly what the results are, but he certainly gave us a bit of a fright on Thursday night. Thankfully he's doing well. I'm not too sure of his recovery time but he is on the mend.

"They (the Sigerson Cup players) come down if we have a team meeting, but they obviously can't train if they have games on Tuesdays on Wednesdays. It is what it is, we can't do anything about that. That is in the calendar, it is in the schedule, they are all involved again next week.

"It is not an excuse, we have been going well in training and out there we showed signs of that so no excuses on that front.

"Big game next week and we have no scoreboard I see, so we better get that sorted.

"We knew that game was looming on the horizon. We knew whether we won or lost we have Cavan next week so it is a big game.

"We will get on the bus now and get our prep going for Cavan.

"The lads are rightly disappointed, but their attentions have immediately shifted to facing Cavan, so we will be ready to go," concluded the manager.