Ardee News & Sport – Louth ‘Healthy Hatred’ of Meath Adds Fire to Leinster Final Showdown
By ArdeePost Reporter
Louth prepares to face Meath in Sunday’s highly anticipated Leinster Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park, manager Ger Brennan has spoken openly about what he calls the “healthy hatred” that fuels one of the GAA’s most compelling rivalries.
Brennan, a Dubliner and former All-Ireland winner, described the intensity between the neighbouring counties as something he’s come to embrace since taking charge of Louth. Reflecting on the journey to the final, Brennan recounted the unique scene on the team bus following Louth’s semi-final win over Kildare last month.
With Meath playing Dublin in the second semi-final, Louth players huddled around a phone streaming the match, some even cheering on old foes Meath. “There were probably a few Louth men cheering on Meath for 35 minutes. I remained neutral,” said Brennan with a smile.
Louth ultimately got their wish – a final meeting with Meath – and the atmosphere is charged with years of competitive history. Between controversial Championship defeats at the hands of Meath in 2002 and 2010 and a string of more recent victories, including back-to-back wins in Inniskeen and an U-20 Leinster title triumph, the rivalry has only deepened.
“There’s a real kind of healthy hatred between both counties,” Brennan remarked. “It’s something I’m feeding off and enjoying.”
Louth’s squad is showing signs of strengthening at the perfect time. Star players Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes, and Craig Lennon are back in action, and Brennan is hopeful that former AFL player Ciaran Byrne will be available after recovering from a hamstring injury. “We’ve got a bit of strength and depth coming back in, thankfully,” he said.
Meath, for their part, are expected to be without key forwards Jordan Morris and Jack Kinlough, though their semi-final victory over Dublin has injected new confidence into the camp.
With Louth’s U-20s already crowned Leinster champions and the county’s minors also in a provincial final, the momentum is palpable. Extra train services have even been added for Louth fans travelling to Dublin, underlining the growing excitement around the county’s football resurgence.
Both camps go into Sunday’s final with optimism, but Brennan believes his team’s calm focus may prove critical. “There’s a sense of maturity in the group,” he said. “When you’re from the Louths or Meaths of this world, everyone knows you. Managing those conversations and expectations is key to preserving mental energy.”
Throw-in at Croke Park is set for Sunday afternoon, with Louth fans dreaming of a long-awaited breakthrough — and possibly, revenge.
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