Inside Track: It could be back to his origins for Durnin as Louth gear up for new season

Louth seniors are gearing up for the off. Yes, there has been a match in the McGeough Cup and another in the O’Byrne Cup, but the real big stuff is coming up.

The league, which has gained in importance since placings at the end of it determine where counties will be facilitated in the championship this summer, gets underway the weekend after next.

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Louth are away to Offaly in their Division Two opener, and though the Tricolours are just up from the third tier, it would be wrong for anyone from here to think it’s going to be easy.

A number who’ve been training with Gavin Devlin since the Tyroneman handled his first gathering as manager won’t be part the travelling party heading to Tullamore. Nor will they be involved in any further Darver sessions. At least not in the immediate future.

The panel, which hasn’t been published, is believed to have been reduced, and for those who are no longer required, it’s a tough one to take, this time around in particular. After 2025’s momentous season, there are huge expectations leading into this campaign, and being part of the journey would have more appeal to players than ever.

Neither of the two games played so far, against Down and Westmeath, ended in a win. Both were marked by a fade-out, Louth looking good for a win before conceding scores late on.

Tommy Durnin, facing into his tenth inter-county season, will in all likelihood have a new name in brackets after his name. Well, not exactly a new name, but one different from recent years.

The Reaghstown high-fielder began as a Westener, but a few years ago switched to Inniskeen Grattans, playing for the Kavanagh Country team in a Monaghan senior final.

He returned to his native county last year, wearing the St Mary’s jersey for the first time. This was seen as a solidifier in the Ardee team’s bid for a fourth successive county title, and before a ball was kicked in the Joe Ward competition, Mary’s were virtually unbackable.

It didn’t work out for player or club. Mary’s fell at the third fence from home, leaving their conquerors, Newtown Blues, to go to contest the final with Naomh Máirtín.

Durnin, who played very few games for Mary’s, has an application in for a return to his original club, and given that he is seeking to leave a strong senior club to join a junior one constantly low in the junior ranks, his transfer is likely to be sanctioned.

Those who have kept the Westerns flag flying, not only in recent years, but for a long time before that, will welcome the return of the ‘prodigal son’. But they must also be wondering how much brighter the year ahead would be if the Maguire brothers, James and Tom, were there to line out with Durnin.

Both were prominent with Louth underage sides last year, representing Westerns, with James figuring in the under-20 team beaten by Tyrone in the All-Ireland final. For this year, however, they’ve made the switch to Monaghan clubs.

The odds are out for the Leinster Championship, and though holders of the Delaney Cup, Louth have been priced up at 10/1 to retain the title. It’s 150/1 for the All-Ireland.