"It's about learning" says Louth captain Mulroy

Louth senior football captain, Sam Mulroy, was pleased by the composure shown by his teammates in Saturday's victory over Derry at DEFY Páirc Mhuire as they made it three successive wins following victories over Tyrone and Cavan.

The Wee County again showed the depth of the panel by making several changes since their win at Kingspan Breffni last time out. Speaking after the Derry game, Mulroy said: "It's great that you're winning with the changes. I think it's massive.

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"The amount of, not debutants, but the new lads that have stepped in that maybe haven't played yet this year. It was just unreal, I think the composure the lads showed with very little minutes was probably what most impressed me.

"Especially in that second half when you're getting the squeeze for only the last few minutes. That's really impressive. I suppose we won our first game, then you lose. I think it was two down since, and you're looking in trouble a little bit.

"We weren't brutal after losing them games, and we're not brilliant now either. As Gavin (Devlin) said, it's just game by game. You're trying to put back-to-back performances together, that will be the same case next week - see if we can back that up.

Defensive setup

Louth's solid defensive structure limited the Oak County's scoring chances, and the Naomh Máirtín felt the backline laid the foundation for the win.

"I thought our defence was excellent in the first half. It's a little bit disheartening when you're playing with the wind, and you don't have the majority of possession, but that's the nature of it.

"Once a team gets the ball against that wind, they're just going to run down the clock. We learnt the hard way against Tyrone here a few weeks ago as well. They've done the same to us.

"It's about when you do get it, taking your chances and trying to be as efficient as possible. I thought we were a little bit better than maybe a few weeks ago against Tyrone in that department. I think we're improving each week, and that's a big positive.

Penalty

Mulroy converted from the sport during the game and admitted it was satisfying to make amends after a miss against Meath.

"I scored this one, yeah. Someone asked me what I was thinking, going the same way. It's one of those, it's nearly when you do miss one, you're waiting for the next one to come and to get back on the wagon.

"I think maybe a few weeks ago I didn't settle enough; I thought I composed myself well today. It's just about learning, as I said, we're learning week to week. I learned from that a few weeks ago; it was nice to see it roll in today."

Safe hands

Goalkeeper Niall McDonnell produced a series of important interventions, particularly under the high ball and his penalty save.

"He's been doing that for us the whole time this number of years, where he just keeps us in the games with saves. I thought his performance under the high ball today was top, top class.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him, he is a top fella. There probably was criticism last year, with the new rules. I think that was probably what was happening with him last from the change.

"I think he's adapted really, really well this year. He's working super hard on it in training, and his extra kicking that he's doing. It's definitely paying off."

Squad depth

The Reds lined out without several regulars, including Ryan Burns and Ciarán Downey, but the replacements impressed, with Mulroy stating the effort of those players is now being rewarded.

"As I said, it was a credit to them. It's hard when you maybe haven't played a lot throughout the campaign. I said to them before the game, they're running up and down the pitch in Darver nonstop when they don't get minutes.

"They got a serious opportunity today, and they took it. I'm absolutely delighted for them, it'll be a tough team to pick next week if everyone's back fit."

Promotion

The win leaves Louth with a slight promotion chance going into the final game.

"Yeah, big time. It's some position to be in. I suppose, as I said, after three games, you were looking the other way. It's great that after a few wins, you're back in the hunt again. We'll go up to Kildare next week and hopefully get a performance again."

Mulroy believes that momentum is important going to Newbridge.

"I think so, winning is a habit and the more of them you get, the better. Hopefully, we'll carry that performance level that we're playing at the minute into Newbridge next week.

"It's not an easy place to go, and they'll be full of action for it. It'll be a tough test."

Although promotion is a possibility, Mulroy insists the squad's focus was firmly on retaining their Division Two status.

"I think it's funny, maybe at the start of this year we hadn't spoken about it, to be honest. I think until you get safe, you don't think about it in this division because it's just so, so competitive.

"If that Tyrone game goes a different way, you're going to Cavan in a completely different scenario, you're really in trouble. It's funny how it flips in a short space of time during the league.

"Now that you're looking at it, you're going, it would be some achievement for Louth to be playing Division One football next year. If we're not, so be it, it's unreal to be in contention."

Composure

Louth answered every score of Derry with their own, something the skipper felt showed the growing maturity of the group.

"I think we got our scores at really good times. Even after the penalty miss, I think we got up, and we got a point, especially with that wind.

"It's just massive to keep the scoreboard moving, as I said, the composure of some of the players that came in and just kept the ball really well.

"We never looked panicked, I didn't think. That was really, really impressive from us, I thought. It's great to see the lads going up levels each week. Super performance in that second half to just stay composed and see it out."