SIDELINES

IT was sad day for Louth football on Sunday in Portlaoise when our senior team were beaten comprehensively by Carlow in the Leinster SFC.

We started brightly by all accounts in the opening period and led by 0-07 to 0-04 midway through the half but Carlow’s greater hunger and teamwork was evident throughout and we were fortunate to trail by just a single point at the break. There was going to be only one winner in the second half as Turlough O Connors men rattled in another 2-07 to put a hapless Louth side to the sword.

The bookies had us as slight favourites going into this first round tie (Division Two v Division Four) but this result wont have come as a shock to anyone who has been following the form lines of both side over the last 12 months.

After gaining somewhat of a surprise promotion from Division Three and accounting for Wicklow in the opening round, optimism was high last summer within the county that we could turn Meath over in the Leinster quarterfinal. The Royals however were much too good for us and tagged 27 points on us in a forgettable 70 minutes at Parnell Park.

Longford then rolled us over at home in the Qualifiers in an equally forgettable display which turned out to be Colin Kellys last match in charge.

Pete McGrath was then hastily ushered in as an eleventh hour replacement and, despite the former All Ireland winning managers best efforts, we suffered our worst league campaign in decades. Seven defeats from seven games, many by wide margins, meant we were dumped straight back down to Division Three.

In reports prior to yesterdays game the manager was upbeat about the mood in the camp but confidence and morale had surely taken a severe

Many Louth Gaels are completely fed up with regards the county setup and all that goes with it. They’ve chosen to throw in the towel and concentrate their efforts solely on their individual clubs.

hammering following that chain of disappointing results.

Carlow on the otherhand had enjoyed their best championship campaign in living memory last season with wins over Wexford, London and Leitrim along with credible displays against Dublin and Monaghan.

They continued that form into 2018 and won six from seven in Division Four comfortably securing promotion for the first time in over 30 years.

Despite losing their star midfielder and talisman Brendan Murphy to the States, the Barrowsiders went into yesterdays game brimming with confidence and fully expected to beat us by all reports.

Although I wanted to be in Portlaoise yesterday afternoon for the 2pm throw-in I had to make do with LMFMs radio commentary in the back garden.

Somebody in their wisdom thought it was a good idea to fix a full round of Under 8 Regional Blitz’s for 11am on Sunday morning. That’s 32 clubs over 8 venues with many clubs fielding two or more teams.

Is there no joined up thinking taken place? You do the maths. How many of those kids, parents and family members wanted to make the trip to O Moore Park?

I wouldn’t mind but this was the only U8 Regional Blitz for the entire month of May. I coach Glen Emmets U8s and wasn’t prepared to disappoint 25+ kids or let down the other clubs at our blitz.

By the way, a big thank you to Sundays hosts Stabannon and Roche Emmets for providing a great mornings fun and entertainment.

Like so many other Louth supporters I’ve become completely disillusioned with where Gaelic games in the county is going. But its not just down to yesterdays embarrassing defeat to a minnow like Carlow.

I wrote several weeks ago about the County Grounds debacle and how it has hung like a black cloud over generations of players and supporters.

I worry for the future of the game in Louth and for the opportunities we will provide for the next generation of young Gaelic footballers.

I’m saddened when I think of our once proud tradition and all the great players, supporters and administrators who toiled so tirelessly to create it.

Many Louth Gaels are completely fed up with regards the county setup and all that goes with it. They’ve chosen to throw in the towel and concentrate their efforts solely on their individual clubs.

Where do we go from here? What is next?