Louth's Brennan takes "huge positives" from final
Ger Brennan was pleased with the way his side conducted themselves against Dublin
Louth manager Ger Brennan was pleased with the mighty effort and performance from his side in the Leinster final defeat against Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking after the full-time whistle the manager said he was “very happy with the first half the lads were very composed in possession” when reflecting on the showdown.
“All be it the gap is closed and being economical with the ball is obviously hugely important against top teams. When Dublin got their chances they duly took them” he said.
“Disappointed to concede that goal but I felt Niall McDonnell had a super game overall. He was under pressure probably in the second half against Kildare but he answered all the questions we've asked of him today and I was very proud of how he played.”
In a repeat of last year's final the Wee County significantly cut the gap in which they were defeated and for long spells of the game went toe-to-toe with Dublin.
Brennan went on to say: “Gaelic football is fairly simple. You're looking at other teams who have done well against Dublin, you're looking at the skill set and the athleticism of our guys.
“How can you come up with a pragmatic approach to give ourselves the best chance of being competitive and hopefully finish strong which we did manage to do.”
The manager continued: “Credit to the lads and Craig Lennon's goal our fella's never stood off but it is about variety being the spice of life and how Dublin play you have to look at the way they can mix and match depending on how the opposition is set up.
“We were trying to get our fellas to develop and grow in a similar frame where you do have structures and do have two or three different types of game plans.
“Being able to shift between all three depending on what's in front of you. In possession and out of possession is what you are trying to teach the lads.”
Attention now turns to the All-Ireland series where Louth are in a group with Kerry, Monaghan, and rivals Meath. Brennan wants his players to take confidence from the Dublin game and bring it into the next match.
He said: “It is hugely positive and we are at home to Meath now in two weeks time so it is about backing up that performance but also improving on it.
“The way that probably happened in the second half today we probably got caught out. But if we can back it up now against Meath in two weeks time, then away to Monaghan a week after that and then a neutral against Kerry.”
Before finishing he stated: “The lads got to a Leinster final again last year, they were in Division Two last year and they didn't get out of the All-Ireland series.
“If you are looking at black and white progress then we have to get to the latter stages of the All-Ireland this year but they will take confidence from the performance today."