Mickey Harte relieved to finally get just desserts following Limerick victory

At the third time of asking, the Louth footballers are finally off the mark in the National League. It has been a real slog getting to this point, with chances squandered away to Clare and at home to Derry.

But in what was billed by both counties as a do or die, a must win match, even at this early point in the league, it was the Wee County that got over the line in the end.

Louth secure first win despite late Limerick comeback

“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves” admitted manager Mickey Harte when speaking to the assembled media shortly after the win.

“When we were six up, we were looking like we were going to get a comfortable win, but we gave away a goal that made it a big game again. Fair play to Limerick, they saw their chance and went after it. So we were fortunate to hold out in the end.

“They deserve great credit for not giving up. We did invite them back by giving up that goal, but apart from that I think we played some very good football. We had chances to win the game and make it a lot easier on the heart over the last 15 minutes, but we do tend to make life hard for ourselves.”

The goal they conceded, which was used as the catalyst for the Treaty men’s revival in the final quarter, was a result of a kickout that was intercepted by Limerick. In goals again last Sunday was Young Ireland’s Peter McStravick.

He was a surprise addition in between the sticks against Derry, given he had never played in this role during his club career. But with Declan Byrne and Martin McEnaney, the two keepers used earlier in the year, withdrawing from the camp, his selection versus Limerick was inevitable.

Last year’s Number 1, James Califf, was on the bench in Ardee, but has not been back with the group long, meaning it was a little too early to think about bringing him in. Harte was disappointed that McStravick’s error led to the goal but was still full of praise for what he brings to the table.

“It was one of those things which you just don’t want to see (the kick out error). He took a chance, and it was a chance too much. He did drive out some good balls for us and supported the play well out the field – he took people on or created that ‘plus one’, which is nice to see.

“We’re experimenting all the while. We don’t have what people would call natural goalkeepers, who have been goalkeepers all their life, available to us at this level. We have to work with what we have and it’s still a work in progress.”

When Louth needed a final push to get over the line on Sunday, the management team were lucky to have such depth at their disposal. Craig Lennon had a big impact when introduced at half time, while both Tommy Durnin and Conal McCaul managed to grab the last two scores to win the game.

Given the players currently unavailable to the Tyrone native, he was happy to see those in the dugout make an impact and put their hand up for selection. While overall, he was just delighted to see his team’s effort finally pay dividends come the final whistle.

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“You want people to impact the game and make a change, add value to the team” noted Harte. “When they do that, that’s good, when you get that from men who come in as non-starters, then that’s a good place to be in.

“We’re pretty stretched – we’ve a number of injuries of people who would usually be starters in the team. Casey Byrne is out, and Liam Jackson and Dermot Campbell weren’t available. That hits us because it means moving other people around and weakening your hand.

“I have to say, the effort, work and energy that the boys put in, I think they deserved something out of that game, but I think we deserved something out of every game we played this year – and this is the only one where we’ve actually got something.

“Had we lost, we were probably on a lost cause, but now we have the oxygen to say that ‘we can still survive here’.”

Next up is a massive Boyneside Derby, with Louth the visitors to Pairc Tailteann in Navan on Sunday afternoon (Throw in 2PM). Can he work his magic once more and pull one over Louth’s oldest rivals? We could be in for a cracker.