Grimes "really proud" of Louth teammates

Conor Grimes was central to Louth's Allianz National Football League victory over Tyrone on Sunday afternoon. After the game, he reflected on the importance of the win and two points.

The forward said, “It was a big occasion, Tyrone coming down to your home patch. One of the best teams in Ireland, and to get a performance like that when it mattered most.

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“That's the thing with the National League; your emotions can be all over the place, and it's hard to keep them in check sometimes.

“Obviously, losing to Meath the way we did last week, you're on the floor, but fair play to the lads. They just stuck to their process, didn't get too high or too low during the week.

“We knew we weren't that far away, and we just needed to continue on with that second-half performance. Thankfully, today we got that.”

Louth led by three points at half-time with the wind at their backs but it never felt secure. The new two-point rule means no lead is safe.

“You never know with the new rules. The two-pointer, you'd seen it last week. Even 11 or 12 points down, you're still in the game.

“We knew Tyrone with that wind it was going to be difficult, but fair play to the lads. They just dug in, grit their teeth, and that's what this group has.

“We've shown it time and time again. We don't bow down, we don't back out of a fight. Just really proud of the lads.”

Second half

Louth lost Tommy Durnin to a black card as several decisions went against them. The conditions were testing and Grimes described it simply.

“It's just a whirlwind. Just thinking back on the game now, it seems like a distant memory. It seems like a big blur. You just take it one play at a time.

“Fair play to everyone. Everyone was just gritting their teeth. The underfoot conditions were difficult. This time of year, it's the same all over the country.

“To go from Croke Park to Ardee, it's difficult. We knew we just had to keep gritting our teeth. The kick-out is such a massive part of the game now.

“Particularly when there's a strong breeze like that. It just turns into a dogfight. We were up for that fight today.”

Scores

Grimes’ role was clear. Compete for breaking ball and take scores when they came.

“That's your role and your job. You just try and do whatever you can for the team. It's not pretty, but it has to be done. I'm just thankful to be able to contribute in some way.”

“Every point that we scored in that second half felt like a two-pointer. It just kept them at bay, kept them at bay. They were coming out strong.

“We knew we just had to stay in the battle as long as we possibly could. The scores came at important times.”

“Just the younger lads these days with the legs. I don't know how they do it. Like Craig (Lennon) and Tadhg McDonnell. These boys were just relentless.

“Line break after line break after line break. Tinnelly in the back. You could just name so many of them coming through from that 20 squad. They're just so hungry.

“They just had the legs at the end, Tyrone and making them line breaks. That's what you get with this team. You're just never going to die, never say never. They came up with big moments at big times.”

Personal performance

It was an impressive afternoon for Grimes himself who put in a Man of the Match performance.

“Happy just to be able to contribute. Probably haven't contributed what I'd like over the last couple of games. Delighted to be back on that trajectory again and contributing to the team wherever possible.

“Louth GAA has given me so much over the years, and it's nice to be able to get a little bit back there today on a big occasion with Tyrone coming to our own patch.

“That's the thing with the National League. It's so difficult. We did a good performance against Offaly, and probably not the performance you wanted against Cork and then the second half against Meath.

“The National League is like that. You beat Meath last week, and I know we got beaten in the last kick of the game.

“But if you win that game, you're looking at promotion, and then all of a sudden you lose two in a row, and you're looking at relegation. Then you come out the following week, and you beat Tyrone.

“You can't really let your emotions take hold of you through the National League because it's so up and down, especially in such a competitive division.

“I think we have to be extremely proud of how we managed that game in the second half. Into a strong breeze. I thought Niall McDonnell did excellent. He was putting the kick-outs right where they needed to be.

“Just how everyone battled and fought, and the point was they were on straight away for Tyrone. They were just massive, the important parts of the game.

“I thought we found what we needed in those parts. We can be extremely proud of that. But look, it was far from a complete performance.

“We'll need to go back to the drawing board, regroup and Cavan next week. We won't get too high. We'll stay in that middle ground and be ready for Cavan next week.”

Ardee

The return to DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee mattered.

“It was massive. Fair play. The pitch for the weather that we've had was in good condition. Just the atmosphere right from when you walked in.

“Sold-out stadium early in the week. We feed off that. The support that we've had through thick and thin has been unbelievable.

“We just can't thank the supporters enough. They carried us through. That last 15-20 minutes, every kick-out, every catch, every score, they're right behind you.

“That's what we need. It makes a massive difference against the so-called big guns. When we have our home crowd behind us like that, it makes a massive, massive difference.

“We're very, very grateful to get the game back here in Ardee and to just have all the support there with us. Hopefully, they'll travel to Breffni next week.”

Four points

No room for complacency for the Wee County.

“Absolutely not. If you start thinking of jobs done in this division, you're going to be going back down to Division Three very quickly. Far from job done. We'll get the bodies right and regroup and go again. It's a massive week.”

Squad depth

Competition for places is growing with the integration of last season's U20 All-Ireland finalist vying for positions.

“100%. You need that balance of youth and experience. I think we have got that balance really good now at the moment. Tommy (Durnin) coming back in was massive. You heard the roar for him, although it was short-lived.

“It was a massive occasion for him to come back in there as well and give us that boost. The younger lads are pushing.

“There's so many of them there, like Seán (Callaghan). They're all pushing for places. You need that strength and depth.

“It's a long season. Just a mention to Peter Lynch as well. Absolute warrior. We lost him in the meat game in a big battle.

“He's been doing everything perfectly and probably playing football all his life. You lose him, and Emmett Carolan today steps up. Just a quick mention to Peter Lynch.

“He's going to be heartbroken, but he's still a massive part of the squad and a massive part of where we want to go. He'll still be involved in the group going forward.”