Louth U20s aim to make All-Ireland history against the Red Hands

Louth are one game away from creating history when they take on defending champions Tyrone in the All-Ireland U20 Football Championship final at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Armagh, this evening at 7.30pm.

If the Wee County manages to get over the line, they’ll be crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time at this grade. 

It’s been a remarkable year for football in the county, and the U20s now have the chance to cap off a golden spell.

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The Minors reached a Leinster final, the Seniors made provincial history of their own, and now the U20s are just one win away from entering the record books.

Speaking ahead of the final, Louth U20 coach, Declan Byrne, made no bones about the scale of the challenge ahead. He said: “We're going to be up against it, we know that.

“This Tyrone team has pedigree and obviously, they're trying to defend their All-Ireland title and we're going to have to be at our very, very best to compete with them.

“That's not even to win the game, we know that. But listen, we need to improve on our performance against Mayo. We weren't at our best, but we found a way to get across the line and there's solace in that for us.

“We know the group of lads that we have and the endeavour and the work that they've put into it and we believe that if we bring our best performance we'll be there or thereabouts.”

Big test

Louth may not have been perfect against Mayo in the semi-final, but they showed their ability to grind out results. That experience could prove vital against a battle-hardened Tyrone outfit.

“A lot of these boys are very experienced now at this stage, I think we've played 13 or 14 games this year between challenges and championship games, and we've been on top a lot of the time.

“They've built up that experience and they know when to maybe slow the game down and when to quicken it up but it's all on the night.”

Focused

From the first whistle in the Leinster campaign, Louth’s group have stayed focused, blocking out the noise and showing a level of maturity beyond their years.

“In fairness to the boys, ever since the first game of the championship against Longford, they've really had their heads down and they're a focused group.

“They're well-tuned in and they know that the ability is in the group to compete with the very best out there. I suppose we've shown that and we maybe brought our best performance out in Newbridge against Meath.

“I thought we were exceptional that night and we're going to need that and a wee bit more to compete with this Tyrone team.”

Rising tide

The buzz around Louth football has helped lift spirits across all age grades. The U20s are riding that wave of momentum.

“It has and it is probably the sense of anticipation around the county that has brought our followers and fans out and they've gotten behind us and I’d expect them to maybe do that again on Wednesday night.

“It's an expensive time if you're a Louth supporter. You're on the road left, right and centre. You saw it with the Minors in the final in Newbridge.

“The crowd at that was phenomenal. I couldn't believe what I was watching to tell you the truth.

“There's a great sense of anticipation around the county but I suppose it brings the pressure when you get to All-Ireland finals.

“Which we don't do too often obviously, you want to win, we're not going there to make up the numbers. We want to make our own wee bit of history and keep that ball rolling.”

Tyrone

Tyrone have beaten Kerry and Donegal on their way to the final and boast a powerful, physically mature side. Their star player Eoin McElholm will need special attention, and Byrne knows exactly what they’re up against.

“They're a tremendous outfit; Eoin McElholm is maybe their marquee name and he's going to take an awful lot of watching but they've good players all over the place.

“The one thing that we've maybe seen from the DVDs is a lot of them are men. They're grown men, they're just physically incredibly well developed, they have an unbelievable school system down there.

“The MacRory Cup, they've come through that but listen, they're going to be a huge task but if we can get our running game going.

“And I've said this many, many times about it, I haven't seen pace like it in my whole entire life on a team. It's absolutely scary and when they get moving and find the big open spaces, that can really punish any team.

“The key for us is to keep the ball away from contact as much as we possibly can and get that running game going.”

Strength

The young Reds will look to dominate around the middle third, where players like Seán O’Callaghan and James Maguire provide both steel and speed. Their battle with Tyrone’s midfield will be vital.

“You see in any game with the modern rules, it’s getting the platform around the middle of the field, and in fairness to Seán (O’Callaghan) and James (Maguire), they have the ability to win the ball for us.

“I thought Seán the last night, his fielding ability is just second to none, his timing and then you have James's pace and energy and legs and his ability to get a score.

“We need that platform around the middle, we need the ball and when we get ball we can get it into our dangerous forwards.

“The likes of Adam (Gillespie) and Tony McDonnell but we’ll probably need a wee bit more from them and they know that.

“In the clutch moments the last day, Adam probably hadn’t one of his better games, but he came up trumps when it was needed.

“He was there when we had to get that final score and they have that ability. They could be out of a game but then just a moment, and they are right back in it.”

Pressure

There’s no hiding the pressure or the magnitude of the occasion. But this Louth side have shown all season that they can handle it.

“It’s all on the day and we're happy to be there, we're happy to be in with that chance of lifting an All-Ireland and as I said, if we can bring our best I know this team will not be a million miles away.”

Tyrone might be the favourites, but Byrne is backing his players to rise to the challenge.

“That's understandable and we've no qualms with that but I suppose that brings the pressure as well though. They’re expected to turn up and to put us away but I think for us just to stay in the game as long as we possibly can.

“I believe that this Louth team has worked harder than any team in this country in terms of physical condition and the readiness to play.”