Dee-lighted boss so proud of players
DEFINING moments in the careers of Louth hurlers were played out in the form of brutally honest exchanges in the Croke Park dressing room at half-time.
A Lory Meagher Cup final disaster had unfolded on then hallowed turf for 35 minutes, and the Wee county faced a thrashing of humiliating proportions under the unforgiving glare of a live TV audience and in front of their own loyal supporters
Twelve points behind at one stage, they had conceded three goals, and Sligo were rampant.
But manager Diarmuid McCarthy never ceased to believe in his players, and they repaid his faith in spades.
‘We had a bit of a chat at halftime. We said a few stern words, and the lads said a few stern words amongst themselves,’ said McCarthy.
‘They knew themselves that they didn’t do themselves justice in the first half, and we told them they might never get back here again, that there’s far better hurlers than us have never played in Croke Park, so when you get here, you make the most of it.
‘We told them it wasn’t gone, it was there for them in the second half, and they had to go out and take it.’
McCarthy’s pride in those he sent out to do battle at Jones’ Road was painted all over his beaming face.
‘In fairness to them, they did. That’s been in them all year, they have come back time and time again, and they have put them performances in.
‘They’re a credit to their county, they’re a credit to their families, they’re a credit to their clubs, and I’m very proud and very honoured to be a part of it.’
At this level, recognised football counties are represented in the small ball game by individuals who hold the ancient art dear to their hearts, and whose passion for hurling is a joy to behold.
‘It’s not easy being a hurler in Louth, it’s not easy being a hurler in Sligo, or Fermanagh, or Tyrone or these places,’ said the Louth boss.
‘You need character, and that’s what them lads have in abundance.
‘If you’re a hurler in Division 3A or Division 3B, you need character and back-bone, and that’s what they displayed in the second half.
McCarthy added: ‘It’s a massive lift for hurling in the county. We’re a small county, five clubs, but this is massive.’
Now Louth have an opportunity to play Nicky Rackard Cup hurling next season.
Unfortunately, promotion is not automatically gained, but a play-off win over Fermanagh next weekend will see them make the step up.
‘We’ll enjoy tonight and then we’ll focus on Fermanagh next Saturday. The lads know themselves that today won’t matter a damn if we don’t beat Fermanagh and get back up to Nicky Rackard, where they want to be.’