Louth skipper Mulroy welcomes Devlin appointment

The curtain has come down the 2025 inter-county season for Louth, but there’s already a renewed buzz around the county setup with the return of Gavin Devlin as senior football manager.

Few are more enthusiastic about the appointment than Louth captain, Sam Mulroy, who is currently back with his club Naomh Mairtín as the county championship kicks into gear.

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He said: “Leinster was obviously a big high, it's been something that we've been striving for a number of years and something that maybe years back you thought was unachievable.

“To get there and get it done was amazing, but then, upon reflection, probably as a whole, a big disappointment of a year in general.

“We lost a lot of games that we felt we should have been winning and could have won and could have kicked on, so from that aspect, we've definitely got lots of room to grow and improve.

“I think in a way maybe it wasn't a bad thing that that happened, and it will keep us hungry. As I said, I've reflected on it as well, and it's definitely made me mad to get back and right some of those wrongs.”

Gap to close

One result that stands out in Mulroy’s memory is the sobering second-half collapse against Donegal in the All-Ireland series.

“We had a few trimmings off Kerry in the years gone by, and Dublin and Donegal obviously this year, there are levels to this, and it doesn't just happen overnight.

“It's a journey and it's one that we're developing on and as Gavin has said, it's about day-to-day, trying to bring yourself up a level.

“It’s one of those where we probably experienced it last year against Donegal, where they're operating at a different level from us right now, and we have to go chase that down.”

County bond

With inter-county duties on pause, focus now shifts to the club championship. However, Mulroy insisted the Louth squad remains a tight unit, even during the club campaign.

“It throws up a different dynamic, but I think there has been lots of relationships formed here over the years for a team that is very close.

“There is no problems with anyone, it's all a case we go play with our clubs, we all talk outside of the club season, and everyone gets along nicely. You go and do a job for your club, then go back to Darver, it is back to business.”

O’Byrne Cup

As the GAA calendar continues to evolve, the place of pre-season competitions like the O’Byrne Cup remains up for debate. For Mulroy, its worth depends on how it’s approached.

“It's a funny one, and it depends on how it is treated by everyone. It probably gives an opportunity to lads who maybe haven't played for Louth the opportunity to get a jersey and play to show where they are at.

“It's another case for the lads who are maybe coming back into pre-season a little bit later to get games into their legs. So, it depends on how you approach it. Every team is going to be different.”

2026

With 2025 now in the rearview mirror, Mulroy’s sights are firmly set on taking the next step as both an individual and as part of a team with rising ambitions.

“It's about going back to the drawing board and seeing where we're at. There are loads still for us to do. A little bit of work has been done, but we have bigger aspirations and as a team and as individuals, I'm sure there's loads of hunger still in the belly to kick on.”

Club championship

In the more immediate term, Mulroy’s attention turns to club football, where Naomh Mairtín are set for a stern challenge in a group containing St. Joseph’s and Newtown Blues.

“The Joe's and the Blues isn't an easy group and they're both going really well. They got their county players back, and I think they were both picking up big points and playing really well. It's a tight group for us.

“We've obviously lost a number of players over the last few of years, and we have our work cut out, but the preparations are going well and we'll give it a crack.”

Joe Ward Cup

Looking across the championship landscape, Mulroy is under no illusions about the favourites. Ardee St. Mary’s are aiming for a historic four-in-a-row, a feat not seen since the 1960s.

“On merit, they were the champions last year, they're now the favourites going in again and rightly so.

“That's just the way it is, and I think everyone will be trying to improve on last year, and as for us, it's trying to go one step further than last year, for other teams, it's trying to go two or three steps further.

“It's one of those, and the Marys will be no different. Everyone wants to win it. It's going to be seriously competitive over the next few weeks, so I'm looking forward to it.”