Louth must “Go back to the drawing board” says Mulroy

Louth senior football captain, Sam Mulroy, gave an honest assessment following his side’s 1-23 to 0-18 defeat to Cork in the Allianz National Football League on Sunday afternoon.

Despite putting in a good personal performance and scoring 11 points, it wasn't enough to inspire a comeback. 

Reflecting on a tough afternoon, Mulroy admitted the team had hoped for a response after their previous outing but simply never got going.

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When speaking with the Dundalk Democrat, he said: “Especially after last week or two weeks ago, we were kind of hoping for a little bit of a bounce.

“We'd spoken during the week about what we needed to do and we didn't get going at all. Cork were far superior at all times and it's really, really disappointing.”

(Mark Cronin of Cork in action against Tommy Durnin of Louth during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

The Wee County had shown plenty of fight in their last game against Monaghan and put in a strong second-half comeback that just fell short.

However, the Naomh Máirtín clubman noted that despite a similarly poor first half against Cork, there was no repeat of that resurgence.

“Look, we finished the game strongly against Monaghan and even there at halftime, you're kind of saying, look, we've played badly, but it's as I said last week that the new rules obviously allow for big comebacks and so you're never dead and buried,” he said.

“But again, we think we got the first score and then we just couldn't get going. It was a tough battle, the ref let a lot go and we just never got going.”

(Paul Matthews of Louth during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

The lack of cohesion in Louth’s play frustrated the skipper, as he acknowledged that much more is expected from this group.

“Look, no excuses for me. It wasn't good enough all around and we’ll have to go back to the drawing board.”

The Reds did manage to open the second half with a score, but any hopes of that sparking a revival were quickly quashed by Cork’s efficiency.

(Players from both sides contest a kickout during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

“It just never seemed like we could keep them at bay. Every time we got one or two, they’d go straight up and just chip away at the scoreboard.

“And to be fair, they're pretty ruthless and they were efficient in their attack and we just couldn't claw it back or get it within enough that you're kind of going ‘right, it's game on here.’

“I don't know, it was a weird, a weird feeling. Even in the second-half, you're getting two pointers and they didn’t seem to be doing anything for us.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth in action against Eoghan McSweeney of Cork during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

A recurring issue throughout the season has been Louth’s struggles to win kick outs, and that was again a problem against the Rebels.

“No, and if you don't, you're in for a battle and Cork have big fielders around the middle of the pitch and we never really got to grips with it. As you said, it's kind of been a theme, but look, probably it's everyone's responsibility.

“It's not just lad kicking the ball out, it's not just the midfielders going to catch it, it’s everyone’s responsibility. So we’ve all got to look ourselves and come up with a plan that we can win more.”

(Tom Jackson of Louth in action against Brian Hurley of Cork during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

On a more positive note, Mulroy praised the impact of the substitutes who came off the bench and scored including players such as Ciarán Downey, Fearghal Malone, and Dylan McKeown.

“We've obviously lots of injuries at the minute so we need boys coming in, putting a hand up and making it a competition for places.”

Looking ahead to next week’s crucial clash against Meath, Mulroy knows his side have a battle on their hands. 

(Louth manager Ger Brennan, left, in conversation witn Cork manager John Cleary after the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

With Louth staring at the possibility of a Tailteann Cup campaign unless they make a deep run in Leinster, the stakes are high.

“Yeah, big time. I haven't obviously looked at the table yet or what way the standings are but yeah, I think it's looking like if you don't, regardless of next week, it's a case of if you don't go to a Leinster final, you're going to be in the Tailteann Cup and I suppose that's not where we want to be.”

Despite the recent setbacks, Mulroy remains determined to turn things around and restore Louth’s performance levels.

“Absolutely, they are in a serious position and why wouldn't they be? We have to, as I said, go back to the drawing board and get bodies back on the pitch, and look, we'll keep fighting. We'll keep fighting. We always do so.”