“You're promised nothing”, says Louth star, Lennon

Louth begin their Leinster Senior Football Championship defence against Wexford this weekend, which arrives with quiet expectation around the county, but for Craig Lennon, the message is simple: there are no guarantees in knockout football. 

Speaking ahead of the clash, he said: “I suppose I've kind of been carrying a wee bit of a needle there recently, so I've just been trying to get myself back.

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“I don't know, I think we're constantly trying to go up the levels at the minute with Louth. We constantly talk about it, just driving the whole thing on at underage level and ourselves.

“So yeah, it probably does, you probably try to alter a few things, and you can never take things for granted in Championship football, you're promised absolutely nothing.

“I think we spoke the last couple of weeks that we have three games, we're promised three games, and that's it.

“One in the Leinster Championship and two in the All-Ireland series. You're promised absolutely nothing, so you definitely have to be driving standards and training and pushing on a wee bit.

“But in terms of preparation, I think lads probably find what suits themselves and not a whole pile of changes, but you're constantly trying to drive the levels on as such.”

Individual targets 

Lennon’s influence continues to grow from wing-back, though he remains focused on performance rather than numbers. 

“No, probably not. I know Ronan O'Neill has come in this year. He's tried to make sure that I'm getting three points a game from wing back, and something he spoke about, and I haven't been able to every game, but I've done some of the games so far.

“But no, it's probably something I don't do a whole pile of. No, it's probably something I should do to be honest, but I don't do a whole pile of it.

“I suppose sometimes I know if I'm playing well and if I know when I'm not playing well. If I'm not playing well, I'll try and get after the extras or focus on things I can be improving on.

“But if I'm playing well and I feel I'm going well, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. But in terms of goal setting, I don't do a whole pile of it.”

Squad depth 

A key difference this season compared to others has been depth, with younger players stepping up impressively. 

“It's massive. I suppose during speeches and things like that, you're always there thanking the squad, and that's just in terms of training for them to consistently be shown in.

“But you're just waiting for your chance, and then when you get the chance, and you see boys taking it, you'd be absolutely delighted for them because you know how hard they work.

“But yeah, it's been unbelievable to see and be very, very friendly with a good few of them, younger lads, and it's unreal to see them.

“Because you're kind of asking the question, can you make the step up from under 20? Obviously, they're a really talented bunch and played in an All-Ireland final.

“And you're hoping they can make the step up, but they've just taken to it like a duck to water almost. They've been brilliant, and I suppose with the amount of injuries we've got and a couple of niggles here and there.

“Our squad's definitely been tested, but it hasn't really altered us at all. The lads are so tuned in, in training, and they know their role inside out and it's just been clockwork. The squad's been massive, and luckily we have a really good one.”

Form 

A four-week gap since the league has only sharpened the hunger. 

“I'm just trying to take it day by day in terms of the injury. I'm going well, feeling strong, so hopefully I can get back on the pitch soon and pick up from where I was going in the league.

“I'm just looking forward to getting going again. I suppose it's a big break from the championship to the league.

“If you're not in the league final, it's a good four weeks, so yeah, I think most of us are just raring to get going for a match now at this stage, and I'm looking forward to some championship football.”

Support 

Louth’s supporters continue to make a major impact following their team

“It's unbelievable. It really makes it feel worth it. The likes of after the games, I mean, you've got so many kids coming up and looking for pictures and autographs and things like that, it really does make you feel special.

“And that you're part of something special, they've been brilliant, and they've seen us over the line in some big games.

“It's been massive, I don't even have to say you know they're going to show up for us in the championship.

“Like to do for the under 20s, I suppose they've been going to some under 20 games with the brother playing, and even Louth support them games, it's been phenomenal.

“You'd be really appreciative of the support, and yeah, it's been brilliant, it really is 16th man, and it's great to see. We're all kind of going in the one direction in Louth, I suppose, it's been brilliant.”