Louth: Wee County, Big Ambitions
The deep red jersey with the distinctive St Brigid’s cross, one of the most elegant jerseys in the GAA. Proud but understated. It sums up the Wee County, proud of their past, understated and determined about their future.
Louth throw in their Allianz NFL 2017 campaign in Division 3 having won impressively last season in the final, overcoming a fancied Antrim team. The Wee County are no slouches and feature a young and gifted panel of players.
O’Byrne Cup Campaign
Louth qualified for the O’Byrne Cup Final overcoming old rivals Meath 1-14 to 0-10 at Páirc Tailteann. In the final they succumbed to Dublin but the signs are there for an optimistic campaign over the Spring months. Manager Colin Kelly has expressed himself pleased with results and the manner in which they have been achieved.
Division 4 Winners
Last year the Division 4 win was probably the highpoint of the season, they lost out to Meath after beating Wicklow. Then they were knocked out by Derry after a six-day turnaround. Their opponents by contrast had a four-week lay off to rest and regroup after their comprehensive defeat by Tyrone. Derry then lost of course to surprise package Tipperary.
Young Louth Panel
With a relatively young team and a progressive manager in Colin Kelly, Louth will fancy their chances of overcoming Wicklow to get a shot at Meath. All bets are off for that one if it happens. Louth folks still believe they owe Meath one. It could get tasty with the likes of Derek Maguire, Jim McEneaney and Declan Byrne - Louth have a nucleus of young talented players. Their goal, no doubt, will be to consolidate their league position and build towards the championship.
An Ancient Enmity
The earliest record of a football match is of a match between Louth and Meath in 1712. Louth are famous also for inventing the concept of team training back in 1913. They sent their players out to train a couple of times a week under the supervision of a soccer trainer from Belfast. Prior to that it had been customary for teams to only train a week or two before a big game. Needless to say such a sea change in training habits caused a number of raised eyebrows at the time.
Three Time Winners of Sam Maguire
Louth of course have three all Ireland titles to their name, and for a Wee County they are immensely proud of a their achievements. The glory years were 1910, 1912 and 1957.
Traditional Colours
Its fitting that Louth should launch their new jersey in February, the traditional month of devotion to St Brigid. The Louth home jersey of course is a deep and rich red colour, with one of the most distinctive badges in the traditional St Brigid's Cross. According to tradition, Saint Brigid was born at Fochard Muirtheimne, about 450 AD, later called Fochard Bríde. For centuries pilgrims have visited the Holy Well in the graveyard on Faughart Hill, believed to be St Brigid's birthplace.
Division 3 Awaits
In Division 3 Louth line up against last year’s rivals Antrim, near neighbours Armagh, fellow Leinster opposition in Laois, Longford and Offaly as well as Sligo and last year’s surprise package Tipperary.
All their home games are at the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda:
4 Feb - Laois v Louth (Portlaoise)
12 Feb - Louth v Longford
26 Feb - Offaly v Louth (Tulllamore)
5 March - Louth v Antrim
19 March - Louth v Armagh
26 March - Tipperary v Louth (Semple Stadium)
2 April - Louth v Sligo
8 April - League Final in Croke Park
Championship Date for the Diary
Leinster Senior Football Championship
21 May - Louth v Wicklow (Parnell Park)
Senior Hurling Fixtures
Allianz National Hurling League Fixtures
Home matches are played at the Darver Centre of Excellence at Cullenstown.
Sun 12 Feb - Donegal v Louth
Sun 19 Feb - Louth v Tyrone
Sun 26 Feb - Louth Monaghan
Sun 5 March - Monaghan v Louth
Sun 12 March - Tyrone v Louth
Sun 26 March - Louth v Donegal
Sun 2 April - Final
Louth face Derry in their opening Nicky Rackard Cup tie on 22 April.
The 2017 Louth Jersey is now available in-store and online.
