THE CLASS OF 2010
1 Neil Gallagher
The 2010 goalkeeper is still a valued player with Cooley Kickhams, who were promoted back to senior grade in 2022 after a first-ever relegation five years earlier. Finished his county days under Pete McGrath in 2018 after a ten-point qualifier loss in Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim.
2 Éamonn McAuley
Stopped playing club football a few years ago and is now involved in athletics. Called into the Louth panel in 2010 and only played one more year, his last appearance was a heavy qualifier defeat to Meath in Breffni Park in 2011.
3 Dessie Finnegan
Finished up last year after St Pat’s lost a county senior semi-final to St Mary’s Ardee. He tore his cruciate a few years ago and came back to play in his late 30s. Final game for Louth was in 2015, a 23-point qualifier drubbing from Tipperary.
4 Ronan Greene
Now managing Kilkerley Emmets, and recently coaching Louth development squads. Won a few intermediate championship medals with Naomh Malachi. Injured early in the 2010 Leinster final and played little county football after that.
5 Ray Finnegan
Older brother of Dessie, now playing soccer with Bellurgan Utd, having retired from Gaelic football a few years ago after winning seven SFC medals with St Pat’s. Last championship appearance for Louth was in a 2013 qualifier loss to Kildare.
6 Mick Fanning
Direct link to the current set-up in his role as team physio. Still playing club football last year and captained a firstever SFC title win in 2020 with Naomh Mairtin. Injured in the 2010 final, he retired from county set-up in 2014.
7 John O’Brien
Still playing club, he retired in 2014 from inter-county football and helped Dundalk’s Seán O’Mahony’s to a firstever SFC title in 2016. A selector with Louth under 20s in 2021.
8 Paddy Keenan
The 2010 captain and county’s only All Star made a comeback with St Pat’s to play junior football last year where he is also a team selector. Winner of seven senior county medals, his last game for Louth was in 2014 when still only 29.
9 Brian White
Still togging off with Cooley and had a seismic impact when introduced at half-time in the 2022 IFC final by kicking six points. Enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2010, missed 2011 due to travel and returned to play until 2014.
10 Andy McDonnell
Only 20 in 2010, he still plays club football. Louth under 20 selector in 2022, and training Newtown Blues minors this year. Injured in the first Mickey Harte game against Antrim and never played county afterwards. Last of the Leinster final starting team to retire.
11 Mark Brennan
Won last of four SFC medals with Mattock Rangers in 2010 and finished up his county career three years later. Had a spell with St Sylvester’s in Dublin and now with Hunterstown Rovers, where his last game was around four or five years ago. His brother David was involved with Louth’s under 20 footballers beaten in this year’s Leinster final.
12 Adrian Reid
Continues to play for Mattock Rangers and served Louth until 2017. Captain of Louth team that won Division 4 league in 2016. Made over 100 inter-county appearances. Also captained Mattock in 2019 to a Leinster IFC club title.
13 Colm Judge
Still playing club football, despite injury troubles in recent years. Played for Louth until 2015 when his father Eugene was a selector with manager Colin Kelly. Instrumental in SFC three in a row with Newtown Blues from 2017 to 2019.
14 Shane Lennon
Came out of retirement last year and scored 1-5 for Kilkerley Emmets in the IFC semi-final. A selector with Louth minors when they reached the 2017 Leinster final for the first time in 46 years. Now in his third year as selector and coach with Dromintee in Armagh.
15 JP Rooney
Retired from football in 2022. Mick Fanning was captain when Naomh Mairtin won a first-ever SFC in 2020 but he let JP, then in his 40s and used off the bench, lift the trophy.
Subs Stephen Fitzpatrick
Son of the manager, 2010 was his one and only year involved. Replaced the injured Greene in the Leinster final. Recently became involved in refereeing.
Aaron Hoey
Finished up in 2012 but stayed playing club, and in 2020 helped St Bride’s win a rare IFC title, coming on in the final aged 43. A selector under Colin Kelly with Louth in 2017, staying on for Pete McGrath’s first year. Hoey also served three years as Louth minor manager.
Páraic Smith
Replacement for Lennon in 2010, he is still playing club football for Dreadnots and appeared in a few Louth SFC finals. No major involvement in coaching or management.
Declan Byrne
Selector with the Louth under 20s this year and worked on county development squads. Last game for Louth was a league game in Ennis against Clare in 2023, when Harte used him in goal. Made over 100 county appearances and the last of the 2010 Leinster final players who saw action to retire.
Manager Peter Fitzpatrick
Turned to politics, becoming a TD in 2011 and left the Louth job in 2012. More recently served as county chairman during which time he helped to lure Mickey Harte in as manager.