WEE CAN COMPETE IN DIV 2
Louth unshaken by shock Harte loss LOUTH v WEXFORD
SAM MULROY says Louth were determined not to take a backward step this year.
After moving from Division 4 to 2 under Mickey Harte and competing in last year’s AllIreland series, the Wee County were determined that post Harte and Gavin Devlin they wouldn’t fall away.
Dublin All-Ireland winner Ger Brennan - along with Down legend James McCartan and DCU’s professor Niall Moyna - replaced Harte and his highly rated coach, Devlin.
Their first task was to stay in Division 2 and they achieved that.
“We felt we were on a journey (with Harte),” says Mulroy. “(It was) kind of one of those you quickly move on.
“You have a job to do and no matter who is involved, we have a responsibility to look after ourselves. It was a case of next man in.
“(I) was probably blindsided like everybody else. It was a big shock and great disappointment at the time obviously.
“He (Devlin) was a massive influence on us on the coaching pitch. He’s top class.
“We learned an awful lot from him and you don’t forget that stuff.
Experience
“He came, done his bit and he has moved on. The Derry boys are getting the experience of that now and that’s just the way it is.
“But I think the Louth players learned massively from what he brought.
“It was exciting and interesting to learn from him but the new management are bringing new ideas and new styles as well.
“It’s all about being a sponge and taking it all in and taking what you can from it.”
Mulroy reckons Louth showed “serious character” to stay in Division 2 with the change that has occurred since the end of last season.
“Whether it’s good or bad change, I think there is a certain element that a team has to learn and grow with new management,” he says.
“So the character shown by the lads to come together with the new management and stay in Division 2 was massively important.
“It has been an exciting journey so far.”
Mulroy says the new management have built on what was there before.
“Different dynamic, different philosophies, different thoughts,” he continues. “It has been different.
“I think it has been interesting for us as players to marry them both together, which has been exciting.
“Ger has been excellent in terms of listening to what we
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS: Sam Mulroy that we needed to do something and (we) can’t be getting knocked out in the first round of the Championship every year.
“When I looked back over the number of championship appearances that I had before last year, I was counting them on two hands.
“It was a case of ‘Can we change that and compete to the latter end of the Championship?’
“That’s where you want to be. The players recognised that and it was heavily backed by Mickey and Peter Fitzpatrick (then Louth Chairman).
“It was like, ‘Let’s get after this and see what we can do now.’
“For that younger generation, it’s important that they have somebody to look up to. That they have a team to look The following Wednesday, up to within the county. November 4, the Wee County “In years past, you would players were back in the gym. have seen lots of soccer jerseys
“I think it was right before with Drogheda and Mickey (Harte) came in,” said Dundalk being in the League Mulroy. of Ireland.
“It was a case of let’s change “Lots of rugby players have something here. come from Louth too. You
“The players recognised would have seen have learned and bringing that in with his style and vice versa the players have taken onboard everything he has brought to the table.
“He’s an All-Ireland winner and there are lots of AllIreland medals in that management team with James McCartan and Niall Moyna, so it has been great to have those guys with that experience in our dressing-room.”
Mulroy can recall when it started to happen for Louth.
November 1, 2020 at Cusack Park, Mullingar. The Leinster Championship first round - and last round for Louth - in the winter, Covid, straight knockout format.
Louth were beaten 1-9 to 1-7 by Longford. Mulroy scored all 1-7.
Change
them wearing Dublin or Kerry jerseys an awful lot more when I was younger.
“It’s a case of now, can we change that narrative? Make heroes and good teams out of Louth (players) and give the kids something to strive for.
Support
“The support we have at matches has greatly increased over the last number of years.
“There’s been a serious buyin from our support. That’s the responsibility of the players, to deliver a team effort that rewards the support.
“It’s been a credit to everything that’s gone on in Louth over the last few years.
“A credit to the players and the management teams we’ve had over the last few years, bringing it to the next level.
“Money, time and effort has been invested into what we do and not just taken as a ‘Ah, it’ll be grand’ sort of attitude.
“It’s been way more fulfilling to put on the red jersey at the minute and know we can go and mix it with teams. We’re striving for better all the time now.”
INSIDE
BRIAN FENTON will miss Dublin’s Championship opener against Meath on Sunday after having his one-match ban upheld.
Fenton was sent off on a straight red card late on in the recent League final against Derry, which the Ulster champions won on penalties, having reacted to a tackle from Eunan Mulholland that he took exception to as he handpassed the ball away.
The 31-year-old turned and bundled the Derry sub to the ground and referee Conor Lane issued a red card after consulting with linesman David Coldrick, though video evidence suggested it was more a push than a striking offence and many expected that Fenton would get off.
But having brought the matter to the Central Hearings Committee, the red card was endorsed, meaning that the player will serve a one-match ban as things stand, with the Category III offence of “behaving in any way which is dangerous to an opponent” ultimately proven at his hearing.
Character
“I sort of half saw it,” said Dubs boss Dessie Farrell after the game. “I would need to look at the video to be honest to see what went on. It would not be in Brian’s character.
“I saw him pushing a player; now that could be a sending off, I don’t know but anyway I am sure that the powers that be and our own county board will take a look at that and see what happens.”
Fenton still has the option of taking the matter to the Central Appeals Committee or the Disputes Resolution Authority though whether Dublin will exhaust those routes remains to be seen.