Louth “have to seek to improve as quick as we can for Down” says Brennan

Louth senior football manager Ger Brennan shared his thoughts after his side’s defeat to Cavan in the Allianz National Football League clash at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a difficult game on a heavy pitch, Louth stayed in contention until the closing stages, only for two late goals to seal their fate. Brennan was quick to commend the opposition for their performance.

He said: “I would like to congratulate Cavan first and foremost, they took the opportunities that came their way, so congratulations to them.

“We knew coming here today it was going to be a tough outing. They lost their two opening games, and they are fighting for security in Division 2, but I think that win today will give them a bit of hope.

READ NEXT: GALLERY | Pictures from Louth's NFL Round 3 game against Cavan

“They are now on the same points as Louth. Both teams have four games remaining still and opportunities to try and push and get ten points.

“Hopefully we will be in the conversation come the end of the National League for promotion. It is disappointing from our point of view, and I have to acknowledge the hard work of our players.”

(Oisin Brady of Cavan in action against Peter Lynch of Louth during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

Despite being well in the game until the final moments, two quickfire goals from Cavan turned the game decisively.

Brennan said: “Look, it is just one of those things. To be fair to Niall McDonnell, you guys have seen him and reported on him, he has gotten us out of so many holes.

“The amount of saves that he pulls off. He saved a peno and there are massive improvements on the kick-out statistics for ourselves this weekend.

“It’s just one of those things, a small part of the game and a couple of goals go in. To be fair to Niall, he’s really done everything for this group in his short Louth career so far.

“Further out the field, there were other opportunities that we left behind us, or certainly the turnovers in particular in the second half.

“We just got killed in that middle channel of the pitch and to be fair to Cavan, they punished us then,” he said.

“Niall McDonnell has gotten us out of many holes so far and no doubt he will do it again. Again, it is just one of those things, we all have games now next weekend.

“We have to look at the analysis and the video very quickly and see can we improve come Tuesday and Thursday training before we go to Drogheda in seven days' time.”

(Louth goalkeeper Niall McDonnell dives to save a penalty, in the 28th minute, kicked by Darragh Lovett of Cavan, 13, during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

Kickouts have been a concern for the Wee County in previous games, but Brennan saw positives in this area.

He said: “Well, there are always areas to improve upon. I suppose the shorter kick is somewhat higher risk given the new rules that are there.

“So, it's how can the outfield players create better opportunities for our ‘keepers to secure possession for ourselves.”

(Ciarán Brady of Cavan is tackled by James Smith, left, and Oisin Kiernan of Cavan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

The manager didn’t shy away from the fact that Louth’s inability to convert chances proved costly.

Brennan said: “That’s the difference. Cavan took their chances, and Louth didn’t take enough of theirs and ultimately it is about being ahead on the scoreboard.

“We possibly could have gone maybe five or six points ahead which would have taken a bit of pressure off us going down the home stretch.

“But we didn’t capitalise, and the Cavan players kept working hard and punished us then for those mistakes.”

(Dara McVeety of Cavan kicks the opening point, in the 5th minute, during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

With a few key players still working their way back to full fitness, Brennan acknowledged the impact of having experienced names back in the team.

“There are an awful lot of fellas with experience still to come back into the panel. It was great to get Conor Grimes back in there today, Ciarán Keenan, Ryan Burns, Paul Matthews, Liam Jackson, and a couple of other guys who have been around the block,” he said.

“That game will bring them on but look it is very important at the very least that we are securing Division 2 status with the All-Ireland series in mind.

“So, as the ground begins to harden and those fellas that we mentioned have a couple more games and training under their belts, we should be in a better position come the start of the championship.”

(Liam Jackson of Louth during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

With the defeat, the next few games take on extra importance for Louth’s promotion hopes. Brennan said: “Every game is important in Division 2 and all the National League games. They are great competitions across the board because there is so much at stake.

“Particularly in Division 2 and certainly in Division 3 in terms of keeping your status for the All-Ireland series, so each game is hugely important.

“I think most teams in Division 2 will and can take points off each other and unfortunately today Cavan took the points off Louth.”

(Ryan Burns of Louth during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

Brennan was full of praise for Daire Nally, who put in an impressive shift. “I am delighted for Daire, and he is a guy that worked really hard.

"He came into the pre-season development panel and played in Darver last Monday and some of the other developmental games and has really stood out.

“The same with Fearghal Malone—a wonderful job. Fearghal from Cooley Kickhams and he did a great job there, then you have Val Leddy from the Mairtins as well. So, it is great to get minutes into those fellas and you can see how well they contributed to the team.”

(Dáire Nally of Louth is tackled by Padraig Faulkner of Cavan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

With little time to dwell on the defeat, Louth must shift focus quickly to their next NFL game against Down. 

“That’s all you can do. Seven days, so you have to try to recover the bodies and the minds as quick as we can," explained Brennan.

“An awful lot of disappointed fellas inside that we didn’t come away from here with two points. So, we have to seek to improve as quick as we can for Down in seven days' time.”

(The Louth team in their huddle. Picture by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

The mood in the dressing room was understandably low, but the manager remains focused on the bigger picture.

He said: “The fellas are disappointed. We all put in an awful lot of work into performing for Louth and the lads gave everything there today as they always do.

“Ultimately, it is about putting the score on the board and being on the right side at the end of 70 minutes, and today Cavan took more of their chances than we did.

“So, congratulations to them, but you can't dwell on it for too long because we have a game in seven days' time.”