Murray sets his sights on back- to-back Louth Senior Championship glory

He may have donned the red and black of Down in his career, but it is fair to summarise that Cathal Murray has very much endeared himself to the Wee County of Louth over the years.

Having managed Dundalk side Na Piarsiagh, Murray was also part of manager Wayne Kieran’s backroom team at the O’Connells, along with forming part of Kieran’s coaching ticket at the Louth senior set up.

Having taken the Ardee St Mary’s job last year, Murray wrote himself into Deesiders folklore when he guided the club to their first Louth Senior Championship triumph in 28 years, when they beat the Newtown Blues after a thrilling replay.

Now Murray has set his sights on St Marys winning back to back county titles for the first time since 1956, when Dermot O’Brien lifted the trophy.

Last year’s success would make the holders slight favourites heading into this final. However, Murray is a manager who knows very well, the magnitude of the task at hand, and the level of quality of opposition they will be up against, in the form of Naomh Mairtin, who will be marching behind the band on Senior Final day for the 5th time in 7 years.

“I’m not sure if we’re favourites or not”, Murray says. “We’ve played the Mairtins 3 times this year, and 3 times they have beaten us. They have been impressive in their group games, and in their quarter and semi-final wins. I think we’re favourites on the basis that we won it last year, but whether we’re actually favourites or not, I’m not sure that I see it that way”.

He added, “They (Naomh Mairtin) are a quality side, with many county players in the team.

“They have been getting better as the season progresses.

“We’re under no illusions of the task at hand. We’re hoping for a good game, and the result is what matters”.

Last year saw years of success at underage transfer onto the pitch, as Ardee St Marys landed the holy grail of the Joe Ward Cup.

The squad included a myriad of players with minor championship medals, including the Jacksons & Gillespies, alongside Jonothan Commins, Shane Mathews, Donal McKenny, James McGillick, Tiernan Corrigan, and Jay Crawley from 2017 and 2018’s back to back winning sides, while Tadgh McDonnell and Sean Callaghan graduated from the class of 2022, having played key roles in last year’s minor success.

“Sean and Tadhg would have got valuable experience playing with the Louth under 20s this year. They have also won championships at minor level for the club, along with other lads like Ciaran Keenan, the Jacksons, the Gillespies, Jonothan Commins, Jay Crawley, & James McGillick”, said Murray.

He continued: “They have all had success underage, which is testament to the work that is being done by the club.

“There’s another exciting bunch coming through next year to look forward to”.

According to Murray, it is this work being carried out by the club, which is at the backbone of Ardee’s success, from the players engaging with underage coaching, right through to the supporters.

It is these people that Cathal Murray is very much keen to reward with a second county title for the club in 2 years.