THE LAST POINT: A blow but promotion not yet gone

The thought rattling around my noggin as I write this week's column is that I may just be a trifle ‘touched’ - many of you probably think that already but this time, I'm wondering if it is because I believe that, as deeply disappointing as last Sunday’s eight point defeat at the hands of Antrim was, all is not yet lost  for Leitrim in the battle for promotion from the Allianz League Division 4.

Maybe it is down to the fact that I try to be optimistic as a rule - anyone with a love of sport dreams that their team or favourite athlete will defy convention and produce a spectacular against-all-odds victory. That dogged belief is what underdog victories are built on, that ability to ignore harsh realities and dream of what might be.

Steven Poacher’s side aren’t quite in that territory yet but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t fight tooth and nail when they make the  long journey  to Clonmel on Sunday, 220 km by the shortest but most meandering route according to Google Maps - you’d almost think Tipperary’s memory of the extremely vocal travelling support in Leitrim’s epic victory in Semple Stadium four years ago is colouring their thoughts on where best to hold the game!

That is down to the very simple fact that Tipperary, level with Leitrim on four points, still know there is a hell of a lot to play for and if the Premier men still believe, why shouldn't Leitrim? Three rounds remain and I’m wondering if eight points might be enough to see some team promoted, possibly via head to head or scoring difference!

That sounds crazy but consider the fixtures - Leitrim have a hard path with Tipperary, Longford and Carlow on their dance card, the hope being that Carlow might put out a weakened side ahead of a League final if already  promoted at that stage.

THE LAST POINT: WHEN A WIN IS MORE THAN JUST A WIN

A Tipp win over Leitrim in Clonmel leaves them with a monster clash with Wicklow and a home banker against Waterford the last day out. Longford have a rough schedule in Carlow, Leitrim and Wicklow while Antrim, with just two points but having played most of the top teams, face Wicklow at home with Waterford and London to finish.

Wicklow come up against fellow promotion battlers in Antrim, Tipperary and Longford - nothing easy there. Carlow probably fancy their chances, they sit on eight points knowing that three points from games with Longford, London and Leitrim will see them home and hosed. Even London aren’t out of the reckoning - a win over Waterford next Sunday in Ruislip gets them moving and wins against Carlow and Antrim might put them back in the picture.

What I’m trying to say in a roundabout way is that Leitrim’s League has not flat-lined yet - we’re in the emergency room certainly, hanging on to life support and we need other results to go our way but three wins would put Steven Poacher’s young side on ten points and you never know!

Now, comes the portion of the column where reality, caution or pessimism sets in - such a miracle doesn’t look likely as Antrim exposed frailties in the Leitrim set-up and unlike London, they had both the physical power and tactical nous to exploit it.

Eerily similar to what Leitrim endured in Division 3 last year, the physical power and athleticism of the opposition allows them grab a foothold around the middle of the field, Antrim the latest to do it and they were probably worth a good bit more than their eight point winning margin.

The Saffrons won the battle in the trenches and it showed in the stats - the startling fact that the wide count was nine to one in favour of the visitors gives you an indication of how well Leitrim actually did to be in contention at all and having seen both in action, I’d rank Antrim a good deal higher than Wicklow, leaving me baffled as to how last Sunday was their first win of the campaign!

What Leitrim are finding now is that it will take time for the young lads donning the Green & Gold to mature and develop for the rigours of inter-county football. I’d struggle to find another county relying so heavily on so many U20 players, or those just out of the grade, the contrast with Mayo finally giving Kobe McDonald his first minutes of the campaign off the bench last Sunday a telling contrast in the difference in resources available to counties.

Barry McNulty is Leitrim’s talisman, a truly gifted one, but our hopes reside in a 22 year old whose time on the field has to be managed carefully due to a history of hamstring injuries. In an ideal world, McNulty would have been slowly introduced to the rigours of inter-county football but, just like Darren Cox, Paul Honeyman, Tom Prior, Jack Kelly and all the other young lads, we desperately need the best talent on the field right this minute.

Steven Poacher is dead right to manage the Glencar Manorhamilton man’s game-time but after the blaze of publicity that erupted after his 12 point haul in Ruislip, Barry is also going to find it much tougher from now on! Antrim watched him like a hawk last Sunday once he came on and I bet if he dashed off the field for a toilet break, an Antrim defender would have followed him!

As harsh as it sounds, I tend to agree with the Leitrim manager when he has gently suggested, in a roundabout way, that another year in Division 4 might not be any harm for this squad. Building a squad isn’t an overnight job and losing so many veterans with long careers and a rake of players in their mid 20s  is costing the Green & Gold right now.

THE LAST POINT: HARD TO AVOID CLICHE ON A WONDERFUL NIGHT

Last Sunday was demoralising, no point in saying otherwise and as much as things didn’t go our way in terms of the wind dying down after the break, nobody in Pairc Sean denies that Antrim weren’t the clearly superior side on the day. And perhaps the crowd’s silence towards the end of the game, as the realisation dawned there wasn’t going to be a repeat of the magic of Ruislip, spoke eloquently of expectations, hopes and dreams maybe outstripping reality.

Patience and support is what is needed right now  and that is what we should give although, and this is where my blind optimism comes in, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Leitrim pulled a rabbit from the hat down in Clonmel. But, even if they don’t and the dream of promotion fades away, we’ve got to stick with this bunch of players  - the raw material is there, it is just going to take time.

PATSY PRIOR RIP

Going to finish with a few words about the late Patsy Prior, a wonderful servant for Aughawillan and Leitrim GAA. Patsy just loved his football and any time spent with him watching a game from the press box and chatting all things football, as I did back last October in Cloone for the U17 Division 2 Championship Final, was time well spent. My good mate Willie Donnellan had great time for Patsy and that should tell you everything you need to know. To Patsy's family and his many friends, my deepest sympathy on your immense loss.