I’ve calmed down a bit I reckon since the Ballinora game to give some actual thoughts.
Thought they were solid enough in defence but sorely lacking in attack, quite a young team with a few of last years Premier 2 winning minor team present, lot carrying knocks, returning from stateside, etc., and the team just looked lethargic overall.
I’d be questioning the sideline and decision to play lads who clearly weren’t fully fit when there’s 32 players listed on the squad, there’s a team in there if it can be moulded right but it’s a few years away and you can tell, Barrs were men out there and towered over Ballinora, especially on kickouts which need serious work. Don’t know how many are near their senior squad but I imagine a handful might make appearances here or there and they’ll dwindle over the season.
Fitness was the ultimate difference, Barrs attacked and scored easier in the first half with a moderate breeze and then pulled their team back before Ballinora could break through their lines, seemed to use a sweeper too and Ballinora made a balls of combating it, lots and lots of sideways passing from both sides ultimately going nowhere. Barrs got 6 up before Ballinora scored, and Ballinora only got their second point around the 46th minute or so.
Hopefully a kick up the hole they need ahead of Dromtarrife in a few weeks time and I imagine we will see some serious changes, they were miles above Drom last season and, on paper at least, appear slightly stronger than then, but I wouldn’t be overly optimistic at the same time. Big two weeks of hurling ahead which should hopefully be more straightforward but will also eat into the chance to resolve the football issues.
Rant over, sorry lads.
