Louth manager is “very happy” how new recruits have settled

Louth's Allianz National Football League campaign has been up and down in the opening couple of rounds.

A victory over Westmeath in Round 1 marked their first opening-round league win since 2017, but a setback followed seven days later with a defeat to Roscommon in Drogheda.

As the Wee County prepare to take on Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday, one major positive has been the emergence of younger talent stepping into the senior fold.

(Louth forward, Pearse Grimes-Murphy. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)

Louth senior football manager Ger Brennan has had to deal with injuries in his squad, but he sees the silver lining in the forced changes. 

Speaking about the influx of fresh faces into the panel, Brennan noted the number of players making their senior debuts this season.

(Kieran McArdle of Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

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He told the Dundalk Democrat: “The flip side of the injuries means that other guys are getting a chance to step up and to be fair to them they have really given it everything.

“We have lads coming in from the U20s and I think in total it has been eight new players that have played for Louth in the last few games who didn’t play last year.

“Six of those players have made a debut for Louth, and the seventh and eighth player is Emmet Carolan and Andy McDonnell so that is probably the bigger picture.

“If you were looking at the here and now, then we want to be trying to get points from as many of these games as possible."

(Tadhg McDonnell makes his Louth senior National Football League debut. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Among the newcomers was Stabannon Parnells’ club man Seán Reynolds, who made an immediate impact when he came off the bench to score a goal against Westmeath.

Tadhg McDonnell of Ardee St. Mary’s also got his first taste of National League action, while Pearse Grimes-Murphy (St. Joseph’s), Dara McDonnell (Ardee St. Mary’s), and Kieran McArdle (St. Brides) all stepped up to the senior ranks.

The challenge of transitioning from U20 football to the senior level can be a big step, but the manager believes the young talent coming through is well-equipped for the step up.

(Seán Reynolds of Louth in action against Pearse Frost of Roscommon. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

He said: “Compared to last year the lads coming through have a slight bit more about them in terms of their game IQ and development and that in itself is a huge positive.

“We are comfortable in putting them in, we wouldn't put them in if we didn’t think they were ready. Like any team sport when you make a lot of changes and some of them are forced from our point of view.

“You have what you have going into the game, but it is finding a balance between how many guys you are integrating at one time.

“I have been very happy with the efforts of the lads and at the same time working closely with Fergal Reel (U20 manager) and his management team to ensure that they’re representing the U20’s as best as possible.

“They don’t double up on training load at all. The training volume is the same as it would be for any guy on the senior or the U20s team. 

“It is just trying to get them access to matches to ensure that they are getting the right exposure but overall, I am very happy."

(Louth U20 football manager Fergal Reel. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)

One player who has already established himself as a key part of Brennan’s plans is Dara McDonnell, featuring in both league games so far.

“Dara McDonnell has obviously played both games now and he doesn’t look out of place in a Louth senior football jersey.

“At the same time, they are very young, so we have to be patient with them it isn’t going to happen overnight. 

“Their effort was the first thing I looked at, and the effort has been top notch and that is credit to them for that."

(Charlie O'Connor of Meath in action against Dara McDonnell of Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)

As the Wee County gears up for their clash with Cavan, Brennan will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience can deliver another strong performance.