Devlin demands improved Louth performance
Louth boss Gavin Devlin shares his thoughts ahead of the All-Ireland series clash this weekend
Louth senior football manager Gavin Devlin admits that the performance, more than the result, continues to drive the group ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship clash against Dublin at Croke Park.
He said: “Look, it's amazing the last time I stood here with you, we were in such a different place than we are and stand here today.
“I mean the whole way through Louth, with the minors, the under-20s and now the seniors, we've lost two Leinster titles from the last time we spoke.”
The Wee County had produced a series of strong displays before the semi-final defeat, making the manner of the performance harder to accept.
“So, losing is not a problem, but you alluded to it there, the key to the Dublin game, the toughest thing to take was the performance, and that's what really got our goat up.
“Nowhere in the 70 minutes did we find our groove, our rhythm and that was most disappointing.”
Devlin pointed to Westmeath’s Leinster final victory over Dublin as an example of the resilience his side must now show.
“They found a way constantly in the first half and again in the second half to get back into the games. But they wouldn't let the game go.
“Our boys have been sore for the last number of weeks, and that's what's irked us the most.”
Despite the setback, the Tyrone native has welcomed the opportunity to face Dublin again in the All-Ireland series.
“We were just absolutely delighted to be in the draw and to be in the All-Ireland series and get an opportunity to play against the top, top teams.
“There's a lot of people who don't get that opportunity in their whole life to go into Croke Park and play the Dubs in an All-Ireland series game, what more would you want?”
The Louth boss says the focus over recent weeks has been on correcting the issues from the previous meeting.
“We've got to bring a different intensity and a different energy to the game than we brought to it.
“Not getting hands on your own kick-out, not getting a good enough press in the opposition kick-out and then that brings that angst into your attack.
“The key is how do you fix it, how do you get it better the next day, and that's what we've been trying to do over the last number of weeks.”
Devlin says the response in training has been excellent.
“I honestly think these guys are interesting lads. They're brilliant lads to be with, and they normally find the answer, they normally dust themselves down and go again.”
He insists Sunday should be embraced rather than feared.
“I don't look at this game as pressure; I look at this game as what a wonderful place to be, coming into the summer here now.
“Really good energy about and a chance to go to Croke Park and find a level of performance that you're capable of.”
Devlin says the squad are capable of far more than they showed in the Leinster last four tie.
“We're not asking these lads to do something they're not capable of doing; all we're asking them to do is go out and show their best.
“That's the bit that hurts because you know they're capable of so much more.”
Injury concerns remain, though Devlin refuses to use them as excuses.
“We aren't 100% there. We have boys carrying niggly knocks and picked up niggly knocks at training and also against Dublin on the last day.
“If we lose the game, it won't be about who we're missing.
“We've just got to focus on ourselves and be the best version of Louth that we can be. If we do that, then I think the result will be nice.”