Devlin: There’s something brewing here in Louth

Louth senior football manager Gavin Devlin feels his side is building something special after an impressive victory over Derry in the Allianz National Football League, Division Two tie at DEFY Páirc Mhuire on Sunday afternoon.

Despite missing several regular starters, the Wee County produced another all-round performance to keep their promotion hopes alive going into the final round against Kildare next week.

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Speaking after the game, Devlin praised the character of his panel. He said, "That's what these guys do. We had a really good start against Offaly in the first game, and then we had two bad results back-to-back.

"In this division, when you have two bad results back-to-back, you find yourself in a really difficult hole. I think the turning point was out here a few weeks ago against Tyrone. We got a serious belief from that going back onto the training field.

"I think the beauty of today was that points are always important and outcomes, but the beauty of today was to go out there today and get that level of performance on the back of seven or eight guys not available, who have done the heavy lifting over the course of the last three games.

"Boys who were sitting on the fringes watching the games and maybe getting a bit frustrated. I think I alluded to it in Cavan back that night. Knowing that they're doing well at training and knowing they're going up levels.

"But then to go in and do that today, whatever about points, whatever it be anything, we're trying to build something here in Louth and we're chasing progress. We were actually trying to hunt it today a wee bit, but that's magic.

"It's only one game, but to know that they're capable of doing that. I know conditions are tough out there, and it's a partisan crowd and all the rest, but there's definitely something brewing here.

"Not to get carried away, it's only one game, but it just shows what the lads can do when they really dedicate their lives to it."

Injuries

With injuries forcing changes, the Louth management opted to name their team early in the week.

"We made peace with it early in the week. You might have noticed that we released the team very early in the week this week, because we didn't want to drip through it this week. Is he playing, is he not?

"We said no, they're not playing. Here's the team that's starting, and we want to make peace with it, get ready for it, prepare for it. Let's not die wondering; let's go out and get a performance, and that was the reason for it.

"It wasn't playing games or putting out false teams; it was just literally, let's deal with this now. We found ourselves in a bad place after the Cavan game; we're picking up injuries. So, that's the beauty of today.

"I don't feel that anyone's out apart from Peter (Lynch). Peter's picked up a real nasty injury; he is out for the season. But apart from Peter, there's niggly injuries. You could push one or two out, and then all of a sudden they're out for longer.

"So, it's trying to get that balance. No one is out for too long, but it is great to see that all our boys today can step up and get the job done. I think that was the tale of the tape today.

Game management

Louth led at the break and managed the game well in the second half

"There was a couple of tricky moments, as you would expect. Derry, for me, are one of the top five teams in Ireland. They're a phenomenal outfit. With Ciarán (Meenagh) and the boys, they've found their mojo again, and they've been through the levels and the rhythm really, really well.

"We're under no illusions about what we were meeting today, and yeah, our boys again. It's what they do here, from me and Mickey (Harte) arrived five years ago, they just keep performing and performing.

"They don't win every day, and not by any stretch. But boy, they're made of the right stuff around here, they're a great bunch."

Devlin was pleased with how his side coped defensively.

"We know that the new game is very hard to defend, particularly with the numbers and all we can do is try and make it as difficult as we possibly can for the opposition, and to a man, they did their job.

"There was a few moments in the second half where it looked hairy enough where they were getting in behind because with the two-point arc, you have to keep that pressure up so you can't get stretched and there's pockets in behind.

"Derry's movement is so clever, and through the hands, they're so good with their distance and control. But I think that our boys were going down with cramp and one thing or another, and we had to run the bench.

"The boys that came on, stood up, and I'm just absolutely delighted with our boys today. I really, really am - and it's not the result, it's the performance.

"We keep hammering that every night, the performance and trying to make the right choices on the ball, and you know, suffer. When you're up against it, keep suffering, keep believing in what we're trying to achieve here. It's just brilliant."

Niall McDonnell

There were a few key moments in the second half, including a harsh penalty and a crucial save from goalkeeper Niall McDonnell.

"Yeah, look, he's a top referee, Brendan (Cawley). But not in a million years did I feel that was a penalty. Daire Nally came across really, really well and took the ball out.

"But look, like everything else, you don't get everything right. It could have been very costly, but Niall (McDonnell) in goals, Niall's shot-stopping is phenomenal.

"But whatever about his shot-stopping today, in the air, taking those balls under the crossbar, it was absolutely immense, and his kick-outs today as well. The control, his decision-making, and making the right choices.

"For me, Niall today was absolutely phenomenal, like the rest of the guys. It wasn't a one-man band today, a few outstanding performances, but everyone put their shoulder to the wheel today, and I'm so, so proud of these guys.

Kildare next

The win leaves Louth with a chance of promotion heading into the final round away to Kildare at Newbridge.

"Honestly, we never looked too far ahead; it was just one game at a time. The first thing we wanted to do was cement our status in Division Two with the new stadium coming.

"I said it earlier there, after the third game, we were in a difficult position, so then we had to get out of that hole.

"Then all of a sudden we wanted to go as far up the league as we could to make sure that we're in the All-Ireland series. That was the next box to get. I feel we've ticked that today.

"The last game's Kildare, we just prepare for Kildare as we did for the rest of the games, the boys will be very sore in there today, so they'll have to recover tomorrow and get ready for Kildare.

"It's a tough turnaround, but it's equal for everyone else, so game on."