McKeever embracing Louth’s rise ahead of All-Ireland semi-final

Louth GAA defender Conall McKeever, has experienced every step of the county’s rise over the past decade.

From making his senior championship debut in 2015 to helping the Wee County win a Leinster title and now preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo, the defender has seen the transformation first-hand.

Speaking ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final, he said: "I suppose when you are first playing, you kind of don't think about that; you’re just happy to be playing.

"For the first couple of years, you were very far away from thinking about winning Leinster or being in the All-Ireland semi-finals. My debut was a qualifier game we won against Leitrim; we won very few, even Leinster matches at that stage."

Raising standards

Louth's climb from Division Four to competing with the country's best has been driven by standards increasing within the squad.

"When a new manager comes in and you have to impress again to make sure you have your spot.

"I suppose even from manager to manager, a lot of the players are staying the same, so you are still trying to drive those standards and get where you want to be. Obviously we’ve been in Division Four, and that is not where you want to be."

The demands of inter-county football have also increased.

"I think as the years have gone on, it has increased anyway. But yeah, in terms of video work and even strength and conditioning that we would have been doing in the early days, it's definitely ramping up. I think it has ramped up across the board for every team."

Balancing act

Alongside football, McKeever teaches full-time while balancing family life.

"It’s busy. Obviously, we are on summer holidays now, but in the middle of the year, when you have the National League, work, and I have Jessie at home, so it is busy.

"My wife is very supportive as well, so that makes a big difference, but there is a lot of juggling in that middle part of the year, especially."

Depth

The Wee County have lost Peter Lynch, Dermot Campbell and Eoghan Callaghan to injury this season, but others have stepped up.

"Peter was the first one early on, and he was a massive loss; he has been one of our most consistent players for the last couple of years.

"But then I suppose just the way it panned out, Dara (McDonnell) ended up moving back to centre-half back and has been playing better. He has been playing great there since he has moved.

"Then ‘Callo’ (Eoghan Callaghan) got a bad injury, and Dermot (Campbell) has been injured. That is probably the difference with this squad that we didn’t have in previous years.

"When Dermot went out, Donal (McKenny) has gone in at full back, and Daire (Nally) and Emmet (Carolan) had slotted in.

"You kind of get on with it and don’t really be thinking about if it is a different type of defender or anything like that."

The new rules have also changed defensive responsibilities.

"You need everyone to be able to get up and down the pitch, obviously with keeping three players back.

"There have been a good few times over the past weekend where it hasn’t been Daire, Donal, and Emmet in the back. There have been other people there, and that is good as well."

Youth

McKeever believes the latest crop of players arrived well prepared for senior football.

"In fairness, the lads and Padraic Tinnelly have come in this year, and a few other boys as well. I think they’ve come in at a much higher level than when I would have been starting out.

"They have come off the back of more successful U20s teams, so they probably didn’t really need that much guidance from us tactically.

"Probably just a wee bit of time, the game is faster, and there is still a jump from U20s to senior, and that does take a wee bit of time.

"But in terms of tactical stuff and all that, they are coming in at a really high level already. They have been three or four of our best players in the last couple of games."

Finding form

The Clan na Gael clubman recovered from illness earlier in the season and is happy with how his year has progressed.

"It’s been good. I kind of had a shaky start to the season as I was sick in the Offaly game, and it took me a wee while to get over that.

"I was building back up into that, but I have managed to keep myself injury-free and stuff like that, so you just want to make sure you are ok to get on the pitch."

Support

The support around the county has continued to grow over the past two seasons.

"Compared to previous years, this year and last year especially – the buzz around the Leinster final and them beating Dublin, beating Armagh, and beating Monaghan it’s class.

"Especially in Inniskeen after the Armagh game, because the fans can get on the pitch as opposed to Croke Park, that was mad after the game. It was great.

"Around Dundalk, there is definitely a buzz; there are more flags than there would have been; it’s class, and it’s the way you would want it to be."

Mayo

McKeever expects Louth's defenders to adapt to Mayo’s tricky forawards throughout Saturday's semi-final.

"I think it is hard now with the new rules because there is more one-on-one defending. But you could end up lining out against someone from the throw-in.

"Then you mightn't be near them then for the next 20 minutes of the game, it's just the way the game pans out.

"It is just knowing all the players, and it is knowing that if you are caught in a different position that the person beside you is going to be able to cover for you."

Dream

Playing in an All-Ireland semi-final is something McKeever never imagined as a young Louth supporter.

"Probably not, no, I don’t think so. When I was going to Louth games when I was younger, it wasn’t something that you ever thought about or thought you would get. But I suppose in the last couple of years, everything has changed in that regard, so it is great."