Grimes-Murphy: Belief is key for Louth U20s going into historic final

Louth football is experiencing a time like never before after the U20s secured their place in the All-Ireland U20 Football Championship final for the very first time ever by defeating Mayo 2-12 to 0-17 on Friday evening.

At the heart of it all stood forward, Pearse Grimes-Murphy, the TG4 Man of the Match, who delivered a standout display with 1-3 to his name, including a superb two-pointer.

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After the final whistle, when the St. Joseph's clubman was collecting his award, he said: “I think last year against Meath, it just kind of affected us all, you know, like, it just hurt us badly, especially losing by 10 points, it wasn't nice.

“So we kind of went in this year with a bit more belief, and we were like, right, we got the final last year, we can do more this year.

“Then hopefully, as Louth football keeps going on, we move further and further and further all the way up to Sam Maguire.”

That defeat to Meath in last year’s Leinster final clearly lit a fire under this group. Friday’s win wasn’t just about skill, it was about belief, something that has come to define this Louth side.

Mayo, to their credit, didn’t go quietly, and the Connacht champions came hard in the third quarter, putting the Wee County under serious pressure at times. 

At one stage, it looked like the game might slip away. But Grimes-Murphy and his teammates kept their composure and found a way to wrestle back control.

“We were in big trouble, we just couldn't seem to get scores on the board, they kept coming at us, we couldn’t win any of our own kickouts.

“So, we kind of had to slow the play down, get a few points on the board, you know, not forcing them or giving cheap turnovers.”

That tactical shift, slowing it down, playing smart proved crucial. It was a level of game management that belied their age and showed how far this young team has come in a year.

The heat on the pitch was intense, but the energy in the stands helped Louth push through. The red jerseys were out in force, and Grimes-Murphy was quick to recognise the impact of the supporters.

“I think it's just the crowd kind of got on our backs, and like, even as Mayo kept getting those scores. We were maybe one or two down, and the crowd didn't give up on us; they kept going, kept pushing us.

“It was just brilliant to have them all here, especially during the week as well, and it was a far drive from Louth, so fair play to the crowd.”

It was clear that this wasn’t just a team effort; it was a county effort. From the players on the pitch to the fans in the stands, the pride of Louth was visible in every moment.

Louth’s reward for Friday’s performance is a date with Tyrone in the All-Ireland U20 final, a showdown that promises to be a serious test.

“It'll be definitely the toughest game so far of the year, but we'll prepare well for them, and we definitely, once we keep believing, then I feel like we can do it.”