Wolfe Tones manager says “We stuck to the game plan”

Wolfe Tones secured the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship title with a 2-10 to 2-2 victory over John Mitchels at Páirc Uí Mhuire, Dunleer on Sunday.

After the match, manager John Garvey shared his thoughts on the thrilling win and the club’s promotion prospects.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Garvey began by telling the Dundalk Democrat, still taking in the impact of the win.

“I haven’t had a chance to go to the lads yet, but it is brilliant. I think we fully deserved that in the balance of play.”

Garvey praised his team’s resilience despite early challenges. He said: “We can’t want more than that. Apart from their two goals, which may have set us back a bit, it never really affected us.

“We just kept playing and stuck to the game plan. This is what we had planned to do all along, and the players ended up doing it really well. It’s brilliant.”

Reflecting on the windy day, Garvey acknowledged that his side had prepared well. “The conditions weren’t as tough as it was three weeks ago in Monasterboice,” he noted, referencing their recent experience in similar weather.

“We said it before the game—that we’re used to it. It’s a gale-force wind, no worse than it was in Monasterboice against the Fionnbarrs, and we managed that game too. We are happy playing in any conditions.”

Garvey spoke with respect about their opponents, recognising their deserved place in the final. “The John Mitchels fully deserved to be here,” he said.

“When they beat the [Oliver] Plunketts, I made them strong favourites because the Plunketts were the best team we played. I think they beat us by seven points.”

The Wolfe Tones manager noted the progress his team has made since then but recalled a past encounter that made this victory particularly meaningful. “The Mitchels are coming every year.

“They had heartache a few years ago when they beat my own club when I was managing them. They beat us by a point in the last kick of the game, so I wouldn’t say I owed them one, but it is nice all the same.”

Looking ahead to the Intermediate grade next season, Garvey expressed excitement and optimism. He said: “It’s great to be playing Intermediate football next year. It is brilliant for these lads, and it gives them something to aspire to.

“There is enough quality there that says they are intermediate players, but they have just never had the chance to show it.”

He emphasised the need for a strong preparation phase. He concluded: “This is the first time, and it will take a big effort from them next year. We will start earlier next year to be competitive at Intermediate level.

“Playing 3B, finishing fourth, and winning a Junior Championship - it’s all leading up to playing against teams like the Clans, the Hunterstowns, the Young Irelands, and all the big clubs these players have never faced before, so it’s going to be unbelievable.”