Brennan bullish ahead of crunch Fermanagh game

“We have to win,” declared Louth manager Ger Brennan ahead of this weekend crunch relegation battle with Fermanagh on Saturday in DEFY Páirc Mhuire.“They’re currently on three points and we’re in the mix for Division 2 status with them. With the facts laid out, Brennan is bullish on rectifying the mistakes of the maligned campaign so far against Fermanagh

“We’re getting back and working hard but it’s generally leading to a point against us or a scorable free. It’s just a case of being a bit more disciplined and cuter in how we defend ourselves.

“That understanding is something the Ulster counties are quite good at, to be fair, in terms of drawing frees in the defensive third. We’re aware that it’s something we’re going to need to work on.”

The performances have been there for Louth in Division two so far but as far as Brennan is concerned, it’s now about results with a dollop of good fortune. “It’s all about winning,” he revealed.

“But it’s now a case of looking at what was good and what was not so good, and seeing can you learn and improve.
“You just have to stick to the same plan and working hard at it. We’re definitely due a bit of luck. We haven’t got it as yet, but it would be nice if Lady Luck was to shine on us at some stage.”

It was put to Brennan that perhaps his team have lacked belief in themselves this season as they find themselves fighting it out but he’s hoping for a discovery on Saturday.

“That (belief) is something that has come up in discussion with the players and I know it’s something the previous management have spoken about too.

“The fact that they’re able to compete and compete valiantly at this level, it does take a while to break through that glass ceiling. I know from my own playing experience, starting off in Division 2 with a Dublin team, around 2010, we beat Kerry in Killarney and won the All-Ireland a year later.

“That was probably a big turning point so it’s now about trying to make the breakthrough in games like this and some of the games we’ve lost previously. “And for the lads to actually know that they’re as fit and as strong as anyone else.

“They’ve massive talent and massive heart – they just need to back themselves. Tradition does play a part but it’s about trying to create their own tradition.” No better place to start than escaping the trapdoor of relegation.