Disappointing week for Louth GAA supporters
THE curtain finally came down on Louth’s dismal 2018 Division 2 programme on Saturday evening with defeat to arch-rivals Meath in Drogheda.
While Louth’s relegation to Division Three was confirmed some weeks ago, the result ensured Meath’s survival in the division at the expense of our northern neighbours Down.
Meath were full value for their victory but they were slightly flattered by the final winning margin of seven points, Donal Lenihan’s late 1-2 putting a gloss on the 1-12 to 0-07 scoreline.
We’ve had some pretty poor National League campaigns over the last 30 or 40 years but I can’t remember one which has been more disappointing.
Seven defeats from seven starts would make poor reading in any given season but it has been the manner of those defeats that is most worrying.
At no stage in any of the seven matches did we ever look like a team who were comfortable at this level.
Although it was widely recognised that we were punching a little above our weight in Division 2, we did expect to be, at the very least, competitive.
Morale within the camp is rumoured to be pretty low at the moment with just 20 players togging out for last Saturday evening’s game.
Pete McGrath and his management team now face a huge task in the coming weeks to lift the gloom in advance of the Carlow game on May 13th.
Scrapped
WHILE the Meath result and relegation are extremely disappointing, both pale into insignificance when compared to the announcement last week that plans to redevelop the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda have been scrapped.
At a County Board meeting on Wednesday night chairman Des Halpenny confirmed an agreement between Louth GAA, Croke Park and the O Raghallaighs club could not be reached.
It appears that the O Raghallaighs club were unwilling to accept the terms of a proposed new lease agreement which was been insisted upon by Croke Park chiefs.
To my knowledge, the ownership issue has always been the main stumbling block for the club in brokering any deal therefore I can’t fathom why it has come as a surprise to anybody.
This prolonged debacle surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the North Road venue has been like a millstone around the neck of football in the county for decades.
It has hung like a black cloud over generations of Louth county players and I would say it is indirectly responsible for the current malaise and lack of interest in the current county set up.
Too many of our young GAA players have no ambition or desire to play for the county side.
They’ve grown up not knowing any success for the county at any level. The dilapidated county grounds has never encouraged or enticed their parents to bring them as a family to see their team in action.
Wet muddy banks and lack of toilet facilities are a throwback to forgotten times.
It’s clearly obvious that the expertise required to build a Louth GAA stadium does not reside within the confines of the Louth County Board.
What is now urgently required is a Project Manager to be appointed by Croke Park to explore the options currently available and recommend a specific plan of action with definitive timelines.
Croke Park have completed sufficient stadium projects over the last numbers years to have such expertise available to them.
This individual should then oversee the implementation of the plan in conjunction with the necessary stakeholders in the project.
Calls for public meetings, money from local millionaires and votes from club delegates are merely smoke screens to hide our shortfalls and inadequacies.
For way too long we have simply accepted and settled for the promise that the men at the top table are doing their best. Unfortunately your best has not been good enough. It’s now time to move on and engage the individuals or organisations who will get the job done.
Ray of hope
AND finally, a ray of hope in dismal week for the county, Ardee Community School were crowned All Ireland Schools C Championship winners in Newbridge last Saturday with a comprehensive 1-09 to 0-03 victory over St Declans from Waterford. Backboned by the 2017 Ardee St Marys championship winning minor team they also had representatives from John Mitchels, Westerns and Mattock Rangers. Well done to all involved.