Inside Track: Season has brought wins to Louth and Dundalk

There’s a similarity in the paths followed this year the Louth GAA and Dundalk FC fraternities. Both enjoyed spectacular success, masterminded by rookies; both had stadium issues to deal with; one had a surprise departure to consider – the other might yet have the same.

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THE SUCCESSES

A Leinster senior championship win had last been achieved by a Louth senior football team in 1957. Could there be another in the offing?

There were some positives in the wind in recent years – an appearance in two provincial finals and the retention of a place in Division Two of the league.

A third final materialised, and this time, there was better than a runner-up spot. The defeat of neighbours and keen rivals Meath at Croke Park was watched by over 65,000. Those dressed in red were doing all the shouting at the end; the gate on a 68-year gap had been closed.

And for good measure, the trophy for the Leinster under-20 title also found a place in the trophy cabinet.

Meanwhile, up at Oriel Park and other grounds where League of Ireland Division One matches were played, Dundalk were going great guns. And they stayed in front, finishing with a huge advantage over second-placed Cobh Ramblers.

Talk of crowds: when the team needed most support to finally get over the line, Oriel housed its biggest attendance. And the team responded with a clinking win over Finn Harps. A stay in the lower division had lasted just one season.

THE MANAGERS

It’s not for certain Ciarán Kilduff will be there to oversee Dundalk’s return to the top division. The former Oriel favourite in his playing days was in his first season as a League of Ireland manager when he guided his charges to a runaway success. He could only have been happy with his effort.

However, when thoughts turned to next season, with the return of the Premiership football to the Carrick Road, he put his cards on the table – there’ll have to be a visit to the marketplace if the team is to have any chance of staying up.

This wasn’t a reflection on those he had had under his care this season; rather, he was taking a realistic view of what had to be done.

Whether he wasn’t happy with the prospects of his the panel being strengthened, or, maybe had his head turned by an offer from another club, Kilduff is not certain to stay.

Like Kilduff, Ger Brennan was lacking in experience when he was chosen to succeed Mickey Harte, two years ago. He had enjoyed huge success as a player with his native Dublin, but in the managerial field, had only guided club teams.

Brennan did as much as could be asked of him in his first year, his side doing enough to remain in Division Two, and then qualify for a Leinster final.

Second year out, he met with the same success in the league. After that came the big one, Louth reacquainting with the Delaney Cup after almost seven decades. It didn’t go so well in the All-Ireland series, but that did little to blight Brennan’s achievement.

When it seemed the Dub would be around for the defence of the title, and perhaps get his charges to Division One, he was out the door. Within weeks, he was installed in the Dublin job.

Questions were asked. Did he lose the dressing room, as they say? Was there a breakdown in his relationship with the County Board? Did he know the Dublin job would be his once Dessie Farrell had decided to stand down?

THE GROUNDS

At times when it seemed it might lie idle forever, the site earmarked for Louth’s new county grounds resounded to the noise of heavy machinery.

Now, several months after work commenced, the grandstand is beginning to take shape, and it’s planned to soon begin work on the main pitch. Envisaged is National League football being played there at the beginning of 2027.

The venue, however, may not be only housed for Gaelic games. The gates will be open to other sports, and if The Corrs, or maybe even U2, have any free dates, could we see them doing a gig hard by Dundalk’s Inner Relief Road?

Another question: Might Dundalk FC make it the venue for their home games? It could happen, you know, and if does, it wouldn’t be the first time for Dundalk and Louth teams to play on the same pitch.

It happened back in the 1930s when the Athletic Grounds was in place. Rugby matches and athletic meetings were also held there, right up to its closure in 1960.

Along with the other problems that have arisen in Oriel Park since the league win, is one centred on the pitch itself. As is well known by now, the playing surface and the floodlights are not up to the standard required for Premiership football.

This leaves a decision to be made – go big into improvements, or look for an alternative with a view to moving home.