Campbell wants to add more good Louth memories

Louth defender Dermot Campbell insists last year’s Leinster triumph is firmly parked as attention turns to a fresh championship push.

The Wee County face Wexford in the Leinster SFC opener this Sunday, with Campbell’s image of rolling the Delaney Cup over the line at Croke Park last year a nod to the 2010 heartbreak.

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He said, “For me, I remember being at that game, I was gutted after that game. Not that I was going into last year's game thinking about that, but I'm sure that's what a lot of supporters were thinking.

“I remember where I was for that game. I remember everything about it in 2010. So, while it was there in the background as players, we actually never discussed it; it wasn't on our minds. 

“But obviously it was a big thing in the media and stuff, and I blame our S&C coach for that one because he put the idea in my head as I was there in the Canal End. 

“So it was just one of them things, it just happened, but it wasn't playing on our mind at the time. It was obviously 67 or 68 years, it was on the back of 2010 as well, there was a lot riding on it.

“It's the local rivalry, so probably in terms of the history behind the game and the pressure and everything else that went with it. 

“It was probably one of the biggest, I'd say one of the biggest in GAA history in terms of what came before and everything, the context and stuff. But it was just a great day, great couple of days after. 

“We were chatting about it recently enough, the sun was splitting the stones, the U20s were after doing the job, the week before. I think it was just that Louth was the place just after that final.

“So, yeah, hopefully we can bring back some good memories now in the next few weeks.

2025 All-Ireland series

The high of winning Leinster gave way quickly to the realities of the All-Ireland series.

“We had a couple of injuries as well, which didn't help, and the lads were carrying knocks, and it came quite soon, like we got back on the horse quick enough. 

“We enjoyed our few days, and look, maybe it did, it wasn't as if like we didn't feel it at the time obviously, because if we did, I'm sure we would have been able to put a finger on what was.

“But I think just even that first Monaghan game, like the way the draw was made over the last few years, they were waiting in the long grass for the winners of the Leinster final.

“So, they had four or five weeks prep, we probably had a week, seven days prepping on them, so you're coming off in a really intense game. 

“You've had your few days of celebration, you're probably physically at a bit of a disadvantage, and they were far hungrier than they were better on the day.

“Then the Down game came next, and I think if on another day we could have come out with a win there, it was a kick of a ball between that.

“Then all of a sudden you're in a different mindset, a different mind frame, so look, it was a tough All-Ireland series, absolutely.

“I don't think it was, it was nothing that we felt at the time something was off, it was just against good teams as well, that's just the nature.”

Fitness

The Wee County have addressed shortcomings, with conditioning a priority.

"We've Ciarán Sloane back in, who's at the top of his game to be fair. Pre-season was tough, yeah. And I do think we're probably at a better level this year in terms of fitness.

Journey

Campbell’s inter-county journey has not been linear.

“No, actually. I didn't go straight into the senior team. I had a couple of years there in the wilderness.

“Funny enough, I made my debut in 2014 at U21, but then I actually only was fully in with the team in 2019, so it wasn't as if I was in since 2013 or 2012 on the hamster wheel.

“When you win something, obviously, it's easy to think maybe that'll do, and some lads were at that stage. We obviously lost Bevan (Duffy) and Andy (McDonnell), and they're a good bit older than us, but they've young family and stuff as well.

“But no, I think especially when the news broke that Gavin (Devlin) was coming back in, and I think everyone was kind of hungry to go again, and we knew that there's more levels in us, I think.”