Grimes return a big boost as Reds get Down to business

LOUTH kick off their National League campaign on Sunday with the visit of Down to Drogheda.

Pete McGrath might have preferred different opposition than his native county for his first serious match in charge, but I’m sure he will be relishing the challenge.

McGrath enjoyed fantastic success with the Mourne men in the early ‘90s, winning All-Irelands in 1991 and 1994.

It won’t be the first time he has stood in the opposite dugout as he’s experience that already with Fermanagh.

Following his travels in 2017 Conor Grimes was invited back into the panel last week, and while its not clear whether the big Glen Emmets full forward will feature at the weekend, it’s nonetheless a welcome boost to the squad.

I haven’t seen McGrath’s charges in action yet in 2018, so I’m looking forward to Sunday’s encounter. Many commentators already have Louth down as favourites to make the immediate return to Division 3 - therefore a positive start is required against Down.

The Mourne County have struggled in recent years under manager Eamon Burns and are far from the force they were in the past.

Louth will have lots of new faces on display in Sunday’s line-up and hopefully that injection of fresh legs and youthful enthusiasm, allied to the manager’s wily experience, is sufficient to secure the win.

Following the cancellation of almost the entire GAA schedule last weekend because of the heavy rain, it must be a worry as to whether Sunday’s game will be able to go ahead at the Gaelic Grounds.

While the North Road venue is far from ideal, it is a significantly more attractive proposition for supporters than a trip to Darver.

One of my New Year resolutions was to give up asking what is happening to the redevelopment plans for Drogheda, so I won’t even go there.

Takeover

AFTER months of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations, US investment firm Peak6 completed its takeover of Dundalk FC and formally took control of the club last Thursday.

Dundalk issued a statement confirming the news, with the previous owners - local businessmen Andy Connolly and Paul Browne - insisting that they had found buyers capable of taking the club to the next level.

The Chicago-based private equity firm have active interests in lots of sports, including American ice hockey, but are probably best known in these parts for their involvement with Premier League side Bournemouth (Peak6 took a 25% stake in the south coast club in November 2015). Firm founder Matt Hulszier took a seat on the board, but they have been sufficiently astute to allow the previous chairman and chief executive get on with the day-today running of the club.

Bournemouth’s prolonged stay in the top flight has obviously improved finances, but the increased financial backing from Peak6 has allowed the Cherries to forge ahead with plans for a new stadium which could completely transform the club.

Previous flirtations with outside investors have not generally ended well for League of Ireland clubs, but there is a strong sense around Oriel Park that this move will be different.

While Paul Browne and Andy Connolly are businessmen, they are also real Dundalk fans. They have always maintained that they would only step aside if they found the right kind of owners who could bring the club to the next level.

Browne and Connolly saved Dundalk from the brink in 2012 and (after appointing Stephen Kenny as manager) turned Dundalk into a leading force in Irish soccer within a couple of seasons.

These are exciting times for everyone involved at Oriel Park.