Louth army set for Croke Park invasion for historic clash against Mayo today
The county colours bunting hangs from shopfronts, homes and cars across Louth
And Louth supporters didn’t stop at just decorating their homes and shops with the county colours with even animals getting in on the act. Larry the lamb in Lordship is proudly displaying the red and white of Louth ahead of the historic clash.
For the first time in 69 years, Louth supporters are preparing to descend on Croke Park today for a championship occasion that many feared they might never see.
The buzz has been building since the final whistle rang out in Croke Park, signalling that the Wee County had triumphed over Monaghan.
Long before throw-in, thousands of supporters will begin making the journey south today, with roads expected to be packed from the early hours. Such has been the demand that train seats to Dublin sold out before many had even secured match tickets.
Back home, those not travelling will gather in clubs, homes and local pubs, hoping to witness another famous day.
Businesses across Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee and towns throughout the county have embraced the occasion, decking out shopfronts with red and white flags, bunting and county colours as the excitement continues to build ahead of Saturday's showdown.
It has been a championship journey that has steadily gathered momentum, with Gavin Devlin’s men proving last year's Leinster triumph was no flash in the pan, before carrying that belief into the All-Ireland series.
There were statement victories along the way, including a famous win over Dublin at Headquarters, a dramatic one-point triumph over Ulster champions Armagh, and last Sunday's stirring quarter-final victory over Monaghan despite playing almost the entire contest with 14 men.
Each hurdle has only strengthened the feeling that this team is capable of something extraordinary, and with every passing week the county's belief has grown alongside them.
Many still recall tales of the triumphs of the 1950s, the legends whose names remain woven into county folklore, and on Saturday this current group have the chance to step out of their shadow and take their place among those great Louth teams in history.
The county has waited a long time for an occasion like this. Now the waiting is almost over. There is an unmistakable sense that something special is happening.