“It's a team effort” says Louth captain Mulroy

There’s a sense of quiet confidence building in the Louth senior football  camp ahead of their Leinster Senior Football Championship quarter-final tie with Laois this Sunday, April 13th, at Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge (3.00pm throw-in).

But the Wee County have to do it without their captain and talisman, Sam Mulroy, after the inspirational Naomh Máirtín forward was ruled out of the tie due to injury picked up at training at the end of an impressive individual Allianz League Division Two campaign.

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When speaking ahead of the Laois game, he said: “I ran the other day for the first time, that was two and a half weeks.

“It's healing pretty well and it feels pretty good. I have to give it the respect it deserves. The scan wasn't great in the first place.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth and team mates arrive for the traditional pre match team photograph before the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

He’s still holding out hope for later in the campaign, though. “It's just been one of those where it comes down to how hard you push it and at what stage.

“I'm just doing my bit in the background and hopefully the lads can crack on with the Leinster campaign and leave me in a position where I get to play some games.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth kicks a point during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Westmeath and Louth at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile)

With Mulroy sidelined, manager Ger Brennan, will look to the squad's depth, something the captain believes has improved significantly this season.

“It's a team effort. And across a season of twenty-odd games, you're going to pick up knocks and you're going to need everyone to chip in at some stage," he said.

“Our league campaign was great in the sense that we've got the to blood lots of new lads into the team. And there's quality and depth there now as well.

“So it's great. The experience the lads have on the pitch, plus the injured lads, they're great to get back in. So, all-in-all the squad is in a great place.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth in action against Stephen O'Hanlon of Monaghan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Monaghan at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

While fans may dream of a third successive Leinster final appearance, there’s a real sense among the players that nothing can be taken for granted.

“Yeah, absolutely there's a lot of that element to the Leinster Championship this year for us,” Mulroy admitted.

“And I think everyone outside of the draw is going to need to be in a Leinster final to play Sam Maguire football. So, I think there's added pressure on everyone with that at stake.”

(Sam Mulroy of Louth in action against John McManus of Roscommon during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Louth and Roscommon at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

With both a provincial final and All-Ireland football to play for, it’s no surprise that Sunday’s clash is being treated with full focus.

“I just think it's a case of taking this weekend as it comes and hoping you're one step closer to playing Sam Maguire football.

“We've obviously got a big carrot between both the Leinster final and Sam Maguire at stake. It's a case of showing up and giving ourselves the best chance to do that.”

The Reds will have to travel to Newbridge for the fixture which is an ongoing frustration for a side still lacking a suitable home venue.

(Sam Mulroy of Louth in action against Eoghan McSweeney of Cork during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

Mulroy said: “I suppose it's something that's out of the players' control and out of management's control. It's one of those things. And you'd like to hope in the next few years we won't have this problem again.”

As the Wee County look to take another step on the road back to Croke Park, all eyes will be on how they respond without their captain on the field.