Brennan leads Louth to Leinster glory

Croke Park was a sea of red and white on Sunday afternoon as Louth ended a 68-year wait to lift the Leinster Senior Football Championship.

The Wee County defeated Meath 3-14 to 1-18 in an unforgettable final, writing a new chapter in their history. Speaking after the final whistle, Louth manager Ger Brennan was emotional.

The former Dublin star, who enjoyed huge success during his playing days, admitted this one felt very different.

READ NEXT: Louth crowned Leinster Champions for the first time since 1957

He said: “It's surreal and just really thrilled for the lads, the group of players, the amount of work that those guys put in, it's just incredible.

“They're just deserving winners, and in sport that doesn't always happen, but the amount of work that those guys have put in trying to get to this point, it's just second to none.

“Then you look at the support that was there today, the clubs, the people of Louth, just everyone is behind us.

“And then you look at the success of the U20, the Minors to come, it's just a golden period for Louth GAA and just really delighted for the lads.”

He was quick to spread the credit, acknowledging the contribution of both his current staff and those who came before him.

“I also have to mention the work of the backroom team, the management team and particularly some of the management team who were there under the previous management.

“The Peter Dooley's of this world, Patrick Hogan's, those two lads in particular put in an incredible amount of work.

“Niall Sharkey, Tony Reynolds, there's an awful lot of guys who have been knocking around Louth GAA for a long, long time, and for them to experience this, it's just incredible.

Composure

The game went right down to the wire, but Brennan was full of praise for how his side saw it out under pressure.

“That's credit to the players, the composure that they had in that last five minutes of play.

“I think Craig (Lennon) put it up by a point, I don't know what was left in the clock, maybe a minute was there or 30 seconds, I'm unsure.

“But it was up by two, and then the lads just managed it out and Dona McKenny gets fouled and sin é and that was it.

“But it's just, it's credit to the lads, they're just a super bunch of fellas, and it's a privilege to be part of it.”

Planning for all eventualities had been a key part of their preparation.

“It was, it was one of the scenarios coming to the end. Half-time, winning by a few, losing by a few.

“A lot of top teams do that, and being able to execute, that's what makes you a winner, and these guys executed that there today, and they're winners.

Goals win games

Louth's three goals in the first half proved vital in a game where scores were hard-earned.

“Yeah, we were sloppy at moments in the first half. A bit more composed and direct in the second half.

“Probably certainly playing within ourselves, I thought in the first half. Unfortunate to be coming in at half-time only a point behind, I thought.

Meath played a lot of the football, similar to Laois and Kildare in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

“Our lads are quite efficient. When those chances pop up, they take them and then look at some of the finishes from our guys. It's just incredible, the skill set that they have.”

Ice-cool captain

Even when key players like captain Sam Mulroy missed chances, Brennan said the leadership in the squad never wavered.

“Absolutely, and again, you have to credit Sam (Mulroy), he is so calm in some of those key moments.

“Despite miscuing one or two in the second half, it doesn't faze him. He's just a super captain; his ability to take the next opportunity and just his ability to stay cool under pressure is just second to none.

“His leadership, off the field and on the field, with the guys in the dressing room, he's just a wonderful captain, and it's great to be involved, and Louth are lucky to have him.”

Substitutes

Brennan also highlighted the contribution of his substitutes, several of whom made key interventions late on.

“They did, they did, and if you look at our panel there today, you're watching our fella's week in, week out, and you're watching club games.

“We could have put on any of those subs today, and it just depended on the context that we were in.

“So, happy enough that we made tough calls, but we made calls in terms of guys coming out and fellas coming in and look, everyone made a massive contribution.

“(Ciarán) ‘Kiki’ Keenan picked up some of the ball, Dara McDonnell only 21, Emmet Carolan, (Ciarán) ‘Casey’ Byrne, look at the ball Emmet Carolan won there at the end.

“Paul Mathews, Paul Mathews is in there, his back's in bits, but I tell you what, he put his body on the line today for Louth and I'm just delighted for those fellas.

“But also, the work of the rest of the panel, there's 38 fellas on this panel, and not everyone gets to take the field today, but all those 38 lads put in a savage shift to try and get the team ready for today.”

Glass ceiling smashed

The win marks a turning point for Louth football. The belief is now there, and Brennan says the future looks brighter than ever.

“It certainly is, and credit to Fergal (Reel) and his lads, they show that it can be done, you can beat the Dublin's of this world.

“The Minors have shown it now with Johnny Clerkin's team, and now the Seniors have shown it that you can go and win silverware too.

“So, looking forward to watching the U20s now in the semi-final on Friday in Longford and then Monday week.

“Then go and support the Minors and then the Leinster final against Westmeath as well. It certainly is a golden period for Loud GAA.”