Louth aim “to bring back some silverware” says McLaughlin

As the Louth Ladies prepare to return to Croke Park for the TG4 All-Ireland JFC final on Sunday, there's a distinct sense of unfinished business in the air.

Defender Shannen McLaughlin, one of the most experienced voices in the dressing room, knows the pain of losing in a final and the elation of bouncing back.

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After missing out last year due to injury, McLaughlin is back and relishing every second of the journey. She said: “Oh my god, days like this, it just makes you appreciative of what we have, like the great support we have within our county.

“So I'm really, really looking forward to Sunday, and there's a great buzz around the county and hopefully we'll bring back some silverware.”

McLaughlin’s return to form has been a hard-fought one. A collarbone injury derailed her 2023 campaign, and the road back required time, space, and self-reflection.

“Yeah, look, it happened just in the group stages of the All-Ireland Championship two years ago, and I really struggled to come back.

“So I decided just to step away last year, just to have a little bit of time for myself and regroup. I think I was a bit burnt out from the previous years, and it was the best thing I could have done.

“I think I came back this year really, really hungry and really driven, and I'm just loving every single minute of it. I come into Darver with a smile every night, and I leave with a smile on my face as well, which is important.

“The management have been incredible and the group of girls we have this year. It's kind of the same core group, but the couple of minors that came in and a couple of additions to the management team and the panel itself have just added so much.”

Preparation

The Louth squad carries belief not just in their talent, but in their preparation. With an unbeaten run behind them and momentum from a strong league campaign, they’re determined to go one better than last year.

“Absolutely, I think we were talking about it this morning, and I think the main thing we have to keep reminding ourselves is that we've put in a serious amount of work this year.

“We need to believe that, and that inspires so much confidence in us that we have done the runs, we've done all the one percents that we could possibly do.

“We're looking after ourselves, and I think that's really, really key that we have the confidence that we've put the work in and we'll hopefully get the performance on Sunday.”

Peaks and troughs

McLaughlin has experienced both ends of the spectrum in an All-Ireland final. The heartbreak of 2018 still lingers and serves as fuel.

“I know the girls lost last year, but I remember the hurt and the feeling of losing in Croke Park is immense.

“It's a huge place to be and such a big build-up to it, and then to lose, so I think going into that 2019 final, just the drive in me was something else.

“There was nothing coming between me and that trophy, so I think the girls definitely feel that way, and I know for sure, like you can see in training, there are people just, the drive in everyone.

“The force in the tackling and everything is just so intense in training, which I think will pay off on Sunday.”

Experience

Louth aren't short on leaders, and McLaughlin believes the veterans can make the difference on the biggest stage.

“Yeah, look, we've loads and loads of experience on the panel and obviously the likes of Kate Floyd, Eimear Murray, Áine Breen and Eilís Hand.

“You could name a load of the girls there, but I think that will help us on Sunday because it's hard to step out on a pitch having not played there before.

“So I think like being able to help each other out and give each other little bits of advice, and you know it'll help that everyone has that little bit of experience.”

Tough tests

Louth didn’t just cruise into the final. They’ve been tested and passed with grit. From tight tussles in the league to grinding out results in the championship, they’ve earned their place.

“We've had a really, really good season this year. I think the Division Three campaign started us off on a good foot.

“I think some of the games where we came close, like against Cavan, you see where they're at the minute, like they're a super team and beating Wexford, who went on to compete for the Division Three title.

“So that league really set us up and then obviously, as you said, like the Limerick game was really, really close and like there was probably a time where we could have lost it and I think we all just stuck together, put the shoulder to the wheel and really stepped up.

“The same could be said for the Longford game, and the Sligo game was just one of the toughest games I've played this year.

“So I think we've had a really good campaign of games that will really set us up for Sunday, and they were tight and it really showed our resilience that we could even if the other team got a bit of a run in us we were still able to come back and make sure we finish the game strong.”

Leinster champions

The Leinster title might not carry the prestige of an All-Ireland, but for this group, it meant everything, not least because of the team spirit it revealed.

“Yeah, absolutely, like any silverware will take it, and it was a great feeling to actually get a reward for all the work that you've done and the sacrifices you made.

“We loved winning the Leinster, and like every single girl contributed to that, it was really special to us as a group because I think sometimes some of the other girls, you don't see how impressive they are, and they perform so wonderfully in training.

“Then, to go out, Kevin (Larkin) started different teams throughout the Leinster campaign. It just showed the depth we had in the panel that every single player we can say contributed to winning that Leinster championship, so it's really special for us, I think.”

Calm before the storm

The setting, the stakes, the spotlight, it can all feel overwhelming. But McLaughlin believes the nerves are just part of it.

“I think nerves are normal, like I can speak first because I'm always nervous before a game, but I think that's always nervous, it's always to be expected.

“But as I said, I think it's really important to just remind ourselves that we've done the work we've put in a couple of long years of training, and I think definitely we couldn't have done any more.

“So we just need to go out on the day and believe in what we've done and believe in the process, believe in the game, the system that we've put in place and believe in the management.

“Then most importantly, believe in the players around us and know that they've done exactly what we've done and we have what it takes to win, and I firmly believe that.”

County on the rise

The McLaughlin household will be packed with emotion on Sunday, and the rising tide of Louth football is something this group is proud to be part of.

“It definitely would, there was a great buzz in our house. Conall (McKeever) is obviously my brother-in-law, and so we've Jesse and Millie here; they're coming to support me, but they've spent a bit of time in Croke Park this year too.

“So it's really, really great and the build up and like loud football is just on the up isn't it and speaking to like Sam (Mulroy) and Gavin (Devlin) and everything it's incredible like it really is and hopefully it continues.

“He is probably one of my best friends, and my sister always slags us, but he's a great man, he's the calmest person, but he doesn't say much, but the stuff he says, you really have to value it because it obviously means a lot.

“I work with him as well. We work in the same school and he really is like a great person, a great sports person and a great friend, so I'm very lucky to have him.”