Busy week on Louth GAA front as Gaels fly high
IT is all happening on the local GAA scene at this week with the unveiling of a new Louth manager and the success of Dundalk Gaels in the Louth Senior Championship semi final on Sunday.
With Dundalk’s on field successes over the past three seasons, GAA in the town has had to fight for hearts and minds, particularly among the young footballers of tomorrow.
Pete McGrath is a name well known in this part for his double All-Ireland success with Down in 1991 and 1994.
He spent a spell with Cooley Kickhams during the early 2000s when the club were regularly in the final shake-up for the Joe Ward Cup, but he failed to get them across the line and their long famine for Louth success continues.
He comes to Louth fresh from a period as Fermanagh manager where he achieved a degree of success, taking the Lakesiders to an All Ireland quarter final.
He will now get a chance to see the later stages of the Louth club championships and get a chance to look at some players outside the panel, but will have to hit the ground running as Louth face a stern challenge in the National League having won back to back promotions to Division Two.
Meanwhile on the same night as McGrath was unveiled as Louth boss, his predecessor, Colin Kelly was name as Westmeath’s new manager.
Back in Louth, there was much delight in some parts of the town as Dundalk Gaels qualified for the Louth Senior football decider with a single point win over Naomh Mairtin on Sunday.
The Gaels were in complete control and led by eight points going into the final quarter but with the finishing line in sight, they lost their momentum and hung on for a single point win in the end.
IT IS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR THAT A DUNDALK TEAM HAS REACHED THE SENIOR FINAL
It is twenty five years since the Ramparts Road side reached the Senior Final and a lot longer since their last success.
It is the third consecutive year that a Dundalk team has reached the Senior Final with Sean O’Mahonys reaching their first final in 2015 before their debut success last year.
So even with Dundalk’s soccer successes, the GAA in Dundalk is enjoying a purple patch.
With Clan na Gael in this weekend’s intermediate final, we are enjoying better days in the town.
Sadly Louth gaels lost another member of their historic 1957 All-Ireland winning team with the death of Jimmy McDonnell.
Last week marked the 60th anniversary of that success and Jimmy contributed to that historic victory as full-forward and fulfilled many roles within his St Joseph’s club in Dromiskin.