Brennan proud of “Incredible Year” despite Louth loss

Louth's 2025 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship campaign came to a close this afternoon, following a tough 2-22 to 0-12 defeat to a rampant Donegal side in Ballybofey.

It was a game of two very different halves. At the break, Louth were just two points behind and right in the contest.

But the second half told a different story altogether, as Donegal found another gear and pulled away in commanding fashion.

READ NEXT: Louth's All-Ireland SFC journey comes to an end with defeat in Donegal

After the game, manager Ger Brennan took time to reflect on the performance and the season as a whole.

He said: “Look, just firstly, congratulations to Donegal on a fine performance in the second half. They obviously showed their seriousness and ability as potential All-Ireland contenders. So, congratulations to them.

“The second half they just really upped their tempo. We weren't able to live with it. We probably struggled to get the hands on the ball in the kick-outs for and against, and then the few balls we had turned them over a bit easier than we had been doing in the first half.

“Donegal then, just very powerful and very direct in the second half. Their shot efficiency would have improved for no end.

“But look at overall as a year, it definitely was a game of two halves, but as a year it was an incredible year for the group in terms of what was achieved.

“I think it's important to even credit Sam (Mulroy), his leadership on and off the field, and his all-star qualities then as well. So, it's important that it isn't overlooked in terms of what he's done for the team this year too.”

First half

Despite the final scoreline, Brennan felt his team gave themselves every chance with a well-organised and hard-working first-half display.

“I thought the first half against Meath in Inniskeen was quite good playing a different style of football. You have to kind of horses for courses in terms of tactics and personnel.

“So, we were a bit more strategic and structured in how we moved the ball and defended. We had enough opportunity in that first half to maybe get a couple more scores on the board.

“Disappointed to concede that goal just a couple of minutes before half-time. But a great score by Ryan Burns then to get us back to two points just at the hooter.”

At that stage, Louth had every reason to believe they could push on.

“Absolutely. (We were) relatively content going in at half-time. Obviously, some of the work-ons, trying to win a few more of (Shaun) Patton’s kick-outs and then ourselves in possession just to try and stay out of corners.

“Donegal were quite quick, especially when you were in their cornerback position. So that's something we spoke about at half-time. But then look at it again.

“Credit to Donegal in the second half. It's just tempo, and intensity, just upped it everywhere. Unfortunately, our lads, despite their best efforts, a great bunch of fellas, just weren't able to live with it.

“I suppose in terms of a quick reflection as a management and group of players, I think the winning of a Leinster final after 68 years, going into the All-Ireland Series, took more of us than we realised.”

Perfect storm

The final 25 minutes were particularly tough for Louth, with a string of setbacks that turned the tide firmly in Donegal’s favour.

“It was a perfect storm. Unfortunately, we were the ones on the little boat with the oars, and we couldn't survive it.

“Donegal just steamed through on a cruise liner and punished us for every error. With credit to them, very efficient as I've mentioned. They're a superb team.”

Learning

The result underlined the challenge Louth face in trying to match sides operating at the top tier of inter-county football. Brennan was honest in his assessment.

“The results don't lie. The evidence is in the results. We can see we can compete with teams like that for a good 40-45 minutes.

“It's a clear area for improvement. Watching the match we brought on, some of the guys from the U20 panel as well, they trained really well the last couple of weeks since the U20s finished. Delighted for them to get that championship experience.

“I sent a message out for the winter period and wanting to get into a starting 15 for the National League. So, to credit the clubs, they've looked after those U20s, but in particular, Fergal Reel and his U20 management team.

“The football intelligence and skill set and fitness of those guys that we brought on from the under-20s was second to none and they didn't look out of place there today.”

Refocus

Looking ahead, Brennan acknowledged the learning curve that comes with success. With a Leinster title now in the cabinet, the expectations will only grow.

“That's it. Like all first experiences, the jubilation and almost relief and joy that you feel when you've been 68 years with not very few of us were alive back then, but a very few of us were around.

“So, for this group of players to achieve that, for the people of Louth, it's just a wonderful experience and that's what we'll remember the experience for.

“And then also, you look at last year, the four nominations for the All-Stars, Craig (Lennon) got on, you've got a few more nominations this year and Sam (Mulroy) has to be the front-runner to get into the fifteen, regardless of what takes place in the next three rounds of the All-Ireland Series.”

Emotional end

After a long campaign filled with high moments and hard lessons, the journey has come to an end for this season. But the manager hopes it’s the beginning of something bigger.

“It does and look, all journeys do come to an end. But I think, as you alluded to in some of your questions, it should be the beginning of something new because we can see where the gaps were.

“When you look at what Donegal did to us when we weren't able to win possession and how efficient and how powerful they were in driving forward. That's the bar and you want to be playing in games to see where you actually are.”

The future

Finally, the question of his own future at the helm wasn’t far away. While Brennan hasn’t made a decision yet, his words suggest deep pride in the journey so far.

“Look, that's something we've thought about. Look, I think for today, you have to credit Donegal in terms of what they did and the journey so far with the lads has been absolutely incredible.

“I think everyone should sit down and review the game critically as a group because that's something, that process that we got into was something that we had to kind of keep and enjoy the time from there.

“I haven’t thought about it to be honest because it's all focused on the game.”