Dooley "very happy" with Louth NFL victory

Louth opened their National Football League campaign with an entertaining five-point victory over Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park on Sunday afternoon.

Assistant manager Peter Dooley admitted it was never going to be straightforward to leave the Midlands with two valuable league points.

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Speaking at full-time, he said: “The first game everyone's out of their blocks at the same time, and you're conscious of that and Offaly coming up on the back of a good campaign last year in Division Three.

“With Mickey (Harte) and Declan (Kelly) then over them, we were coming into Tullamore to their home back yard, they were undefeated in the league last year, so we knew this was going to be a battle and we're just delighted to get up the road with two points.

“The new game lends itself to a lot of emphasis now on the kick-outs, and that first half, we were definitely losing the kick-out battle.

“Offaly in the middle with Jack McEvoy, and Aaron Levy, they were winning the breaking ball, they were first to get the breaking ball, arriving there before we were.

“So we addressed that at half-time, and we felt in the second half we got somewhat better change in that area, and it just gave us the platform then, our attack and play today I thought.

“1-21, if you had given us that before the game, we would have been very happy.”

Two pointers

Defensive discipline became a key focus for Louth.

“It was a game of two halves, so they had about four two-pointers in the first half, so that's definitely a learning that all of us emphasised that when we're defending, you have to push out if those two opportunities are on, but we did.

“We retreated, and they were picking them off, and it was an area of concern in the first half, at halftime, but then I suppose the swing is that maybe we can exploit those two-point chances then in the second half.”

Momentum

The second half conditions helped Louth build pressure.

“It gives you oxygen then when you get those two-pointers, and if you can then squeeze and get the following kick-out you're getting the momentum.

“Momentum changes very quickly in this new game, so you have to maximise those periods as best you can.”

Mulroy's goal

The captain’s finish proved crucial in turning the game.

“The ball that was played in if there's a player you want in there and just that composure and Sam finished with a plumb.”

Composure

Louth stayed calm as Offaly pushed late on.

“Until the very last few minutes, you saw, they were pumping high-balls in, and we had to deal with that, and I thought we dealt with the high-ball very well today.

“Dermot Campbell had a serious catch coming out there near the end, so we were conscious of that.

“Again, you see the game last night in Tyrone, they were winning four or five points, and Kildare pegged them back with a couple of two-pointers, so the game's never over until that hooter goes.”

Substitutes

Substitutes played an important role in closing out the win.

“That's what it's about, being able to bring in those fresh legs and being able to bring in the legs of Tadhg with pace and Dara again, coming on the back of a good steady year that he finished last year.

“Kieran McArdle coming in, a good mix there and a good blend, and hopefully we can get a few more of our players back as well to push the competition in our panel going forward.”

McKenny

Dooley praised Donal McKenny’s determination after injury.

“You can't question Donal McKenny's heart and determination, and when he goes out onto the pitch, you know you're getting 100%.

“Even in his rehab, he wanted to get back on the pitch earlier, and we had to hold him back because he's tenacious.

“He wants to get out there, and we saw from his performance today and come up there and kicks a point with his left foot.

“It's great to see, you know, in terms of how he's made that recovery, how he's got back to playing that level and that 70 minutes will stand to him now going forward.”

Injuries

Louth continue to monitor several fitness issues.

“Tommy (Durnin) just had a relapse of his calf injury, so he's probably another few weeks away and probably, the latter stages of the league.

“So, again, it's just following that medical advice with S&C, with Ciarán Sloan and our medical team, and we'll monitor that on a week-to-week basis, but hopefully, yeah, Tommy's back in a few weeks.”

Cork next

Attention has already turned to the next test.

“We get on the bus now, it's Cork mode that we have to switch immediately, and the focus is all on Cork.

“But the seven games in nine weeks, it's hard on the bodies because the new game, as we say, it's high octane, it's end-to-end, it's pendulum, it's momentum.

“It is all of those things, so your bodies can get tired, you can pick up injuries, so, the depth and the strength of your panel, and to have those U20s, current U20s and former U20s coming through, it's a massive boost for us.”

Division Two

Dooley believes every match will be demanding this season.

“That's the challenge, you see Meath, you know, definitely have picked off with the left off last year, a massive win last night in Croke Park.

“Tyrone, again, are probably the favourites to go back up, and Kildare pegged them back and got a draw last night, so those two teams are who everyone's looking to.

“You can see that from the results last night, Division Two is always competitive, and there's so much of an emphasis on Division Two in terms of where you're going to be in the summer.

“In terms of the Tailteann Cup or the All-Ireland Series, so real competition and the next game is all that matters now against Cork.”