Louth "will dust themselves down" after defeat says Devlin
Louth manager Gavin Devlin shares his thoughts after Leinster SFC exit
Louth’s Leinster SFC title defence came to an end as Dublin’s strength and sharpness told in a 0-20 to 0-10 semi-final defeat at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on Saturday evening.
Gavin Devlin’s side was trailing by just two points at the break, but were unable to live with the pace and physicality of the Dubs after the restart.
Speaking after the game, Devlin said: “Disappointing now, disappointing like the effort our boys have been giving all year in the league, and then after the Wexford game, we had big aspirations coming in here today.
“I suppose you have those aspirations going into Dublin, trying to do something about it. Half time, we weren't in a bad place; we were two down and not playing great.
“We came out in the second half; they threw a kitchen sink at it, and unfortunately, we didn't get going at all in the second half. But I suppose you have to give Dublin a lot of credit for that.”
The Wee County difficulties around restarts proved costly as the contest wore on.
“I suppose in our own kick-out press on Dublin, we done okay on that. The big one was our own kick-out. We keep alluding to interview after interview; your kick-outs are absolutely mammoth.
“But then again, that's the first time we come up against a Division One team this year. The physicality and the strength and the power, and you react negatively to that.
“Your plan goes out the window, and you start going for the first phase ball and getting beat in the foot race to the second phase ball.”
Devlin acknowledged the gap exposed on the day but insisted it forms part of a longer journey.
“We never say we're the finished product at any stage of the season, and we're certainly not. It's a work in progress, but our boys will dust themselves down.
“Although that was a hateful losing in the Leinster there today. It's difficult for the boys, but we'll dust ourselves down, and we'll get going again.”
Late changes
A series of late alterations, including the loss of Daire Nally in the warm-up, hampered the Reds preparations.
“Although Dermot (Campbell) came in and did really well. I thought Dermot was one of the boys that stood up. Dara McDonnell at six as well. I thought he was immense the whole way throughout.
“I think that shows real character when the team's not playing well, and you still find a way to play your game, and you don't react to the scoreboard in the opposition.
“There's times today that took me back to Cork in Drogheda, reacting to the score and not taking the right shots. Just not being ourselves, I find that frustrating.
“Whatever the noise, the blue noise, the crowd. Stay true to yourself and keep playing. I thought at times in the second half today that we were rushing things and that was disappointing.”
All-Ireland series
Attention now turns quickly to the All-Ireland series.
“We spoke about this the first time we met that the All-Ireland Series is something that we've failed to go after in the past.
“Even last year, after the euphoria of winning the Leinster, I felt that was something that slipped away from the team.
“As disappointing as today is that it's the All-Ireland Series now, and that's where you have to be able to absorb that power and pressure that the Division One teams bring.”
He added, “We talked prior to this game about trying to close gaps. Whatever about today, we'll have another opportunity to see if we can close those gaps because ultimately, that's what we're about.”
Lessons
Devlin admitted Dublin’s response was expected after last year’s provincial loss.
“We expected that, we knew that they'd be hurting from the Wicklow game. We knew in the National League they weren't going that bad at all.
“They were still playing really, really fast football, and they have a lot of formidable names out there that are household names. We were under no illusions coming in, but we had a lot of learning to take from that game.
“There's brave boys in that changing room, and from where I have come five or six years ago, they keep answering these questions - they'll dust themselves down, no doubt.”