Great names in Louth football in the Noughties
THE final instalment of my threepart compilation is the best players I played with during the 2000s.
During the decade I togged out with Louth until 2003 and the Clans until 2006, therefore I’m going to use a bit of poetic licence to extend my terms of reference. I was a selector from 2006 to 2008 during Eamon McEneaney’s tenure in charge of the county team, so I’m bending the rules slightly to include players who were involved during that period.
The decade started brightly for the county with the capture of the Division 2 title in 2000 against Offaly at Croke Park. That form continued into the following year where, despite the early season restrictions of Foot & Mouth disease, we enjoyed an extended run in the newly introduced qualifiers, losing narrowly to Westmeath in Round 3.
A last-minute defeat to Meath in a ding-dong 2002 qualifier in front of a full house in Navan still wrangles with me. There followed a couple of fallow years in the middle of the decade before Eamon McEneaney’s 2006 side lit up the National League with some stunning performances, culminating in the Division 2 Final win against Donegal in Breffni Park.
Following a disappointing second-half display against Meath in that year’s Leinster Championship we should have beaten All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the qualifiers in Navan, eventually losing after a replay. Another excellent qualifier run was enjoyed in 2007, reaching the last 12 in the country eventually being edged out by All-Ireland finalists Cork 0-16 to 0-14 in Portlaoise.
My goalkeeper is Stuart Reynolds from O’Connell’s. His pinpoint restarts were a big part of our game plan, which compensated for the lack of height at midfield. His understating with wing forwards Christy Grimes and Mark Stanfield was telepathic.
The full back line is David Brennan (Mattock), Colin Goss (St Pat’s) and Simon Gerrard (Newtown Blues). Despite neither David nor Colin being blessed with exceptional pace, they were both fantastic defenders and automatic choices for me. They are two men who I’d have on my side no matter where I went to battle. Simon was the complete athlete and as good a defender as the county has ever produced. There was nothing he couldn’t do.
A special mention also for Cooley’s Alan Page who I found it extremely difficult to leave out. Jamie Carr (Newtown Blues) and Benny Reilly (John Mitchel’s/ Naomh Mairtin) were close to the first XV also.
The half back line is Ray Finnegan (St Pat’s), Peter McGinnity (Gaels) and John Neary (Geraldines).
Ray was a tremendous driving force from wing back and was almost like a seventh forward. Never neglecting his defensive duties Rayzor was always on the front foot, his Rolls Royce engine allowing him travel all over the pitch with ease.
Peter wasn’t the most natural ball player I’ve ever played with, but his natural defensive talents and strengths were exceptional. Teak tough and never beaten, he’s another I’d have no hesitation going to war with.
John was your archetypal flying wing back with boundless energy who was always available as an outlet. He won a tremendous amount of breaking ball from midfield and was a player I always enjoyed playing with in the early part of the decade.
Notable mentions also for Ray Rooney (Gaels), Colin Hoey (Clans) and Aaron Hoey (St Bride’s) whose versatility probably costs him a starting place. Aaron could easily have featured in any one of four different positions.
Midfield was a relatively easy choice of Paddy Keenan (St Pat’s) and Martin Farrelly (Lannleire/St Joes). Paddy’s first year with Louth (2003) was my last, but even at that early stage you could see his undoubted talent emerging. Led by example both on and off the pitch, at times he almost single-handedly keep Louth in games. His talents and efforts were duly recognised at international and All-Star level.
Martin was another with a tremendous engine who covered every blade of grass on the field. Was a great man to play alongside and was equally at home as a half back or half forward. Mentions also for Sean O’Neill (Cooley Kickhams), Ronan Carroll (St Mary’s) and John Kermath (Oliver Plunkett’s).
The half forward line is John O’Brien (Sean O Mahony’s), Christy Grimes (Mattock) and Mark Stanfield (O’Connell’s/Killeavy). John is slightly out of position at number 10 but it was at wing forward where he first made his breakthrough on the Louth team. I remember him giving an exhibition in this position against Tipperary in Semple Stadium during the 2006 league campaign. Was probably more at home at wing back but developed his game even further to emerge as an All-Star nominated corner back.
Christy was probably the most influential Louth club player of the Noughties and possessed a magical left foot. Although never the fastest, he was always in the right place at the right time.
Mark was a great ball winner and a serious score-getter for club and county. Almost impossible to stop when bearing down on goal, his talents were recognised at interprovincial level also.
Notable mention for Brian White (Cooley), Mark Brennan (Mattock) and Paul Gore (Clans).
The full forward line is JP Rooney (Naomh Mairtin), Shane Lennon (Kilkerley) and Colm Judge (Newtown Blues)/Darren Clarke (St Mary’s).
JP was one of the most naturally talented footballers I’ve ever played with. There was nothing he couldn’t do. Will be remembered for that stunning 2010 Leinster final goal, but his skills and talent deserved much more.
From a very early age Shane was a scoring machine. Some of the totals he regularly racked up at club and county were ridiculous. His contribution to Kilkerley and Louth was immense.
I originally had Colm pencilled in on his own at top of the left but had also to include Darren after looking back on the decade’s scoring stats. Colm was probably too brave for his size and unfortunately suffered his fair share of injuries, but when fit and on his game there was none better. Still pulling the strings influentially at club level.
Darren’s scoring exploits from both play and placed balls were incredible during the decade. Was also recognised as one of the top forwards in the ultra-competitive Dublin Championship when lining out with St Sylvester’s Malahide.
Notable mentions also for David Reid (Mattock), Mark McGeown (Clans) and Trevor O’Brien (Glyde).