Dooley ready to make the step up with Louth

Peter Dooley has been officially appointed as Louth’s new assistant manager, following a highly successful three-year stint as coach.

When speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment, he said: “When Gavin (Devlin) rang me in late September, October 2022, I probably couldn't have foreseen the journey over the last three years.

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“So to have worked under Gavin and Mickey (Harte) and then the last two years culminating in the Leinster win, it's been fantastic.

“What I've learned under Gavin about the game and how he looks at the game and how he coaches, he just brings in energy, and when he came calling about the job this year, I didn’t give it a second thought.

“I've been living in Louth for 13 years, teaching in Ballapousta National School for 20 (years), so I’m probably part of the furniture now.

“I have a good grasp of the club scene and would have coached teams in Louth, Hunterstown, and I was involved in a small role last year with Mattock Rangers, so I would have a good grasp of the club scene, and I'm just really excited about the next three years.”

Leinster 2025

Dooley reflects on the moment that defined Louth GAA’s modern era, the county’s first Leinster senior title in 68 years.

“68 years. That final whistle in Croke Park is something that will live long in the memory. To see the joy on the supporters' faces, and if you talk to the players, that's why they do it.

“It's for the families that make the sacrifices. I would have said before, we make the choice, they make the sacrifice.

“To see the joy in the stands and coming home through Drogheda, Ardee, Dundalk, to see what it meant to the supporters. Hopefully, now they and the players can bottle that and bring it further now as we get back on the train again.”

Talent watch

With club action now in full swing, Dooley has turned his attention to unearthing new talent and reinforcing the panel ahead of next season.

“On the club scene, I would have, over the last couple of weekends, seen some of the Junior and Intermediate games, and some players have impressed.

“So we're just hoping that they can carry that consistency over the next few games, so we know the calibre when we make that call that a player’s ready to make that commitment.

“Being Leinster champions, obviously there's a target on your back to that degree but as Gavin (Devlin) alluded to, we have a lot of work to do and it's important now that we bring those U20s through that have been successful under Fergal Reel; the players that are there at present, it's up to us now to try and bridge the gap and go to another level.”

Serious test

Next year’s National League campaign will see Louth face some of the toughest opposition in the country, and Dooley is under no illusions about the road ahead.

“Absolutely, and it probably makes your job a wee bit easier in terms of the narratives. We'll be playing Tyrone, we'll be playing Offaly obviously with Mickey (Harte) and Derry, so look, they're tough games.

“We're under no illusion how difficult Division Two is going to be, but that's where, as players, you need to be exposed to playing the top teams. That's where we want to be, and that's hopefully when the season starts, we're ready to rock.”

Leadership

As assistant manager, Dooley is embracing a team-first philosophy alongside Devlin and newly appointed coach Ronan O’Neill.

“I think when it comes to the on-field and the content, there's no better man than Gavin to lead it. Ronan O'Neill's in now, and you're always conscious of that fresh voice.

“I've been there now three years, so I think as a team we'll collude together, and when it comes back to training in December, the three of us will bring that energy.”

The future

With underage success, community backing, and a new stadium on the horizon, Dooley sees a golden opportunity to build something lasting.

“It’s a great time to be a Louth supporter, to be a Louth player. I have two young children at home, and they've been brought on the journey as well, and over the last three years, all they know is Louth being in Leinster finals.

“That's the belief we want to create. That's our duty now to make sure we harness all that and bring it to fruition.”