AIB launched its 10th year sponsoring the AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, as #TheToughest players in Gaelic Games set their sights on All-Ireland success. Louth forward Sam Mulroy pictured at the launch.
By Cian O’Connell
Sam Mulroy is fully aware that these are particularly encouraging times for Louth football.
Competing strongly in the Leinster SFC, Louth also retained Division Two status in the Allianz Football League.
Being relevant at that level is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Louth according to Mulroy. “Yeah, I think it is massive, competing in Division Two or above is where we want to be and where we need to be to develop players, to develop a team that can hopefully win things,” Mulroy says.
“So, I think staying there and having young lads coming into that environment, competing year in, year out, is crucial to success.”
Mulroy missed Louth’s provincial quarter-final triumph over Laois due to a hamstring injury at Cedral St Conleth’s Park. Next on the agenda is Sunday’s eagerly anticipated penultimate round clash against Kildare at Glenisk O’Connor Park.
Having reached the last two Leinster finals, what are the chief reasons for Louth’s renaissance? “I think a massive factor is a few years back when there was a turning of the tide,” Mulroy responds.
“We were after getting relegated to Division Four, it was then when Mickey Harte came in. That was one of the factors. A change in mindset from everyone involved, the group of players has been a massive boost, getting lots of good players on the pitch together, getting everyone buying in, and pulling in the one direction.
Louth forward Sam Mulroy. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“I think there has been a number of factors, but mainly the element of players, management, county board, fans, everyone seeing the vision, pulling in the direction of the vision, and going there together. It has been going in the right direction, and it is important that it keeps going that way.”
The collaborative approach has been maintained under Ger Brennan. Harte and Brennan have brought different perspectives to Louth which matters deeply in Mulroy’s view. “I think so, they're probably different characters, but both very experienced, both winners, and both know what they're doing,” he says.
“It has been great to be exposed to that level of thinking and that level of leadership. I think it has been a great positive for myself and the group to be dealing with people of that calibre.”
A solid foundation has been established ensuring the rate of player turnover isn’t too high. “I think so, it is so important that you hold on to players that have done it for a long time,” Mulroy reflects.
“Purely from a cohesion point of view in a team, firstly. Then, secondly, as new lads come in, they can't be exposed to that level without some help, just for culture, and keeping the thing going.
“The way we act as a player, the way we behave as Louth players, I think it is important that there isn't a constant turnover of players.
“It is important, and I think we've done really well at holding on to some of that older, more experienced group over the last number of years, which has been great to help with the development of all of the younger lads.”
