Louth needs everyone to get behind new boss
WAYNE Kierans was finally confirmed last week as the new Louth Senior team manager for the 2019 season.
He was recommended to the board for ratification by a committee headed up by County Chairman Des Halpenny and was handed a two year term.
The O Connells clubman served as a selector during Pete McGrath’s short and ill-fated reign, while he also managed the county U20s side.
Kierans has been the hot favourite for many weeks to land the job but his official ratification was held up due to an apparent delay in finalising his backroom team, which was eventually confirmed as former Dreadnots player Liam Kelleher along with Down native Cathal Murray.
Kierans previously managed Naomh Fionbarra to Junior Championship success in 2015 and led the county minors to a first Leinster final appearance in 46 years during the 2017 season.
The experience he gained over the last 12 months under the previous management regime should be invaluable in preparing for the season ahead.
For various reasons, not every player in the county was available for selection during Pete McGrath’s reign and this is something the new manager must address if his tenure is to prove successful.
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to representing your county. It should always be an honour to pull on the county jersey. However recognition needs to be given to the dilemma some players face in a commitment versus reward scenario.
I’m not advocating any manager going ‘ cap in hand’ to players pleading with them to get involved but there is an onus on the manager to communicate his plans and vision for the next two years with all potential panellists.
Yes, this may require going to meet with some individuals on a one-to-one basis to articulate those plans but what the hell. If that’s what’s required then so be it.
After such a miserable 2018 league and championship campaign, next season is hugely important for the morale of all our up and coming young players. Despite the recent good news on a county stadium, Louth GAA is probably at its lowest ebb in 50 years.
We need this appointment to work and I wish Wayne Kierans and his management team every success and hope they receive every possible support and backing from the players, supporters and county committee.
Low-scoring
DUNDALK Young Irelands were crowned Junior Champions on Sunday afternoon in a low scoring win over Glyde Rangers at Dowdallshill. It’s the Dundalk men’s first win in the grade since 2007 and they will hope to build on this result for Intermediate next season.
Glyde have now tasted defeat for a second season in a row but the Tallanstown side will dust themselves down and come back just as strongly in 2019.
This weekend St Fechins take on St Mochtas in the Intermediate decider at the Grove with Stephen Murphy taking charge.
Contrast
THERE was contrasting fortunes on Friday night at either end of the county for both Louth soccer clubs.
At Oriel Park Dundalk were crowned League Champions for the fourth time in five seasons while at United Park Drogheda lost the opening leg of their First Division playoff.
Despite being below their best and falling behind to St Pats, Dundalk showed the spirit of through champions as they battled back to avoid defeat and spark another title celebration.
Pat Hoban’s stoppage time equaliser was his 26th league goal of the season, the first time anyone has surpassed the quarter century mark in a single Premier Division season.
Drogheda have it all to do in thesecond leg in Tolka Park following Shelbourne’s 1-0 victory on Friday. The winners of this tie face Finn Harps and then, most likely, Limerick in two legged affairs for a place in next seasons Premier Division.
Mac attack
AND finally Conor McGregor was defeated in his UFC title bout in the early hours of Sunday morning in Las Vegas.
While I initially admired the Crumlin man’s humble beginnings, his meteoric success and rise to fame and riches, his recent antics and behaviour have become somewhat of a national embarrassment.
The shameful aftermath of last weekend’s brawl were not directly of McGregor’s making but he gleefully stoked the fires in the build up. What are the chances of him riding off into the sunset and into early retirement?