The difference with Louth in 2024 is that they’re heading to Croke Park full of belief

Louth’s Sam Mulroy celebrates scoring a free to put his side into the lead against Cork last weekend. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inphofootball here, we probably need to add a couple of filters in order to isolate the subgroup on that one. Worst year? Worst beating? Worst non-2010-Leinster-final catastrophe? What exactly are you after?

Look at them now, only four years on. As noted by Pat Nolan of the Mirror during the week, Louth are the 24th county to make it as far as the All-Ireland quarter-finals since they were instituted in 2001. The others who haven’t all played in the Tailteann Cup this year. Louth have only been to the last 12 on two other occasions – 2007 and 2010. Everything about this is new.

The other usual measurements haven’t been great either. No Louth club has ever won a Leinster Championship. None has even made a final since Mattock Rangers in 2002. Their last under-20/21 title was in 1981, although they did make the final this year. Every other Leinster county apart from Carlow and Kilkenny have been Leinster minor champions since Louth’s last title in 1953. They’ve been in one minor final in the past half-century, a 2017 defeat to Dublin.

“You have to mention Mickey Harte,” says McDonnell, who was around for Harte’s first season before injuries called time on his career. “He came in and himself and Gavin did good work there for the three years they were there. There was a shift in focus and there was a big commitment there that has fed into this.”

In last year’s Sam Maguire competition, they were involved in two games that were decided by a goal or less and lost them both. This time around, they’ve also been in two games decided by a goal or less and lost neither. When last Sunday came right down to the wire, they waited Cork out and pounced like panthers. Mulroy’s winning free was a reward for the adventure their more vaunted opposition refused to show.

Donegal-Gaa Football-Championship

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Local Elections 2024: Full list of candidates running for Louth County CouncilLouth County Council is divided into five areas - Ardee (6 seats), Drogheda Rural (4 seats), Drogheda Urban (6 seats), Dundalk-Carlingford (6 seats) and Dundalk South (7 seats)
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

England face major Euro 2024 disadvantage that could ruin Three Lions' hopesEngland will fly out to Germany knowing that no squad at the tournament will have left more minutes out on the pitch over the course of the season
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Kieran Trippier outlines England's interesting inspiration ahead of Euro 2024Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier will captain Gareth Southgate's men at St James' Park on Monday night against Bosnia
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Britain's Got Talent crowns Sydnie Christmas as 2024 winner but fans slam 'fix'Britain's Got Talent crowned its winner tonight after 11 variety acts performed again in the hope of securing the £250,000 cash prize and a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Southgate casts doubt over Grealish and Maguire's Euro 2024 spotsEngland have two final warm-up friendlies this week before heading off to Germany for Euro 2024 but Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire could face battles to be on the plane
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Trippier makes Euro 2024 prediction as challenge issued to England team-matesEngland are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024, having come agonisingly close to winning their first major trophy since 1966 three years ago in Euro 2020, when they lost in the final
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »