Joe Carroll: Louth has a job in mind for President-elect Jarlath Burns

Jarlath Burns, from just across the border from this county, in Silverbridge, Co Armagh, was the clear winner in the election for GAA President-elect at this year's Congress.

Having finished a close second when he last contested the post, the former county footballer was a clear winner this time, beating his two opponents on the first count.

Principal at St Paul’s College, Bessbrook, he becomes the 42nd to fill the GAA’s highest post and the third from Armagh. Padraig McNamee was the first in 1938, followed by Alf Murray in 1964.

McNamee was on the podium to present the Sam Maguire Cup on the day of the 1950 All-Ireland final. Mayo’s Sean Flanagan was the recipient; but it would have been Tom Conlon had Louth enjoyed just a little luck in a final decided by a late goal.

Murray was on a different podium performing one of the many tasks during his presidency, the one erected by Clan na Gael for the opening of their pitch in 1966. This was 50 years after the Castletown club was founded, and in the challenge which followed the ceremony, Louth beat Donegal.

Drogheda’s Mickey Leech would have reason to remember this game. Playing at corner-forward he scored four goals, good enough for him to win a place for the championship match with Dublin a few weeks later.

It didn’t go so well for the host club’s Leslie Toal. He sustained an injury and this caused him to miss out against Dublin.

This tie is mentioned because having beaten the newly-crowned National League champions, Longford, in the opening round, Louth were strongly fancied to follow with another win, especially as the game was being played at Drogheda. It didn’t happen.

Could it happen that Jarlath Burns will perform a similar task to the most recent of his Armagh predecessors, cut the ribbon when a Louth pitch is being unveiled?

If Louth County Board chairman, Peter Fitzpatrick’s prediction proves accurate, that the 2024 county final will be played on the field by Dundalk’s inner-relief road, then it will happen.

But even if all is not ready for a Sunday in September or October of next year, it should be at some time during the Burns presidency, which doesn’t take off until next year’s GAA Congress.