IT might be small in stature, but the Wee county is walking as tall as anyone in the country right now. Louth have been riding a real tidal wave over the past number of weeks.

On Sunday, their Senior team won the Leinster title in Croke Park, the first since 1957. Two weeks previously their minors defeated Dublin in the Leinster semi-final and around that same time, their U-20 side shocked Dublin in the Leinster final to win their first silverware at that grade since 1981. 

READ: Mayo GAA says Croke Park passed on write-down on MacHale Park loan

Last week, this columnist got in touch with a couple of his Louth contacts in the know to gauge the mood, and needless to say they are enjoying what they're seeing. 

It’s a county that has been starved of success, still reeling from the infamous 2010 Leinster Final defeat. Now it’s all happening at once for them. Sources in Louth are extremely optimistic about this group.

The U-20 team are young (11 of the starting 15 from the Leinster final are eligible again next year) and are said to have explosive pace all round the field. 

Goalie Tiernan Markey is a sub for the senior team, while Pearse Grimes-Murphy and Tadhg McDonnell both played National League football this year.

Our sources say they are particularly strong in midfield, with Sean Callaghan and James Maguire, while Tony McDonnell and Adam Gillespie are their dangermen inside.

Their manager Fergal Reel has had huge success at club management in Louth, with five senior county championships and one intermediate title to his name. This U-20 campaign is his first taste of inter-county management.

READ: First girl baptised on top of famous Mayo mountain

CONTRASTING FORTUNES

HUGE work has been put in behind the scenes in recent years which was inspired former chairperson Peter Fitzpatrick. Louth are now reaping rewards. It’s a big contrast to what Mayo football is experiencing right now.

The county is still afraid to come out from behind the curtains after a calamitous Connacht final defeat; while our minors went down narrowly to a very impressive Roscommon team last Friday night in the Connacht Final. 

Fortunately, this current Mayo U-20 team is providing some well-needed respite and optimism. They were much talked about coming into this year, earmarked as a team that can go far. Expectation and promise can weigh heavily on young players' shoulders but this side have had no problem carrying the handicap. 

No provincial U-20 silverware since 2018 was scarcely believable and totally unacceptable. It’s easy to forget how young these men are and only when you see them in the flesh do you realise they are just about legal enough to enjoy an alcoholic beverage after a game.

Little do they realise they are carrying the hopes of the whole county, and neither should they, because they’ve a whole lot of other stuff going on in their lives. 

BUSY SCHEDULE

THIS columnist ran into them having breakfast in Cuppa Joes in Castlebar last week, where they were being well looked after by Joe and his staff after a recovery session in Lough Lannagh.

Their manager, Peadar Gardiner was fulsome in his praise for his squad during our brief chat, and cut a fella relaxed and confident, despite having to juggle the challenge of some of his players having exams next Friday, the same day as the semi-final versus Louth.

Not ideal preparation but it comes with the territory of this age group. College exams and the Leaving Cert are the uncontrollables.

Gardiner and his management team deserve huge credit. They were tasked with handling a team stacked with quality forward talent, an unusual issue for Mayo teams. 

But they’ve found the right balance. In Tom Lydon and Darragh Beirne, Mayo have what looks like two of the most promising and natural looking scoring forwards we’ve had in years. Speak to anyone close to the pair and it’s evident a big future lies ahead.

Beirne’s left foot is a weapon the county senior team’s arsenal has been devoid of for years, and there’s a huge onus on the next senior management to help his and Lydon’s natural talent flourish. 

Hugh O’Loughlin had a powerful display in Tuam Stadium a couple of weeks back, while Colm McHale, Cathal Keaveney and Oisin Cronin have been outstanding up to this point, and captain John MacMonagle looks a player experienced way beyond his years. Diarmuid Duffy’s impending return to full fitness offers huge energy around the middle too. 

CONNACHT FINAL BATTLE

THE Connacht Final against Roscommon was fraught with danger for Mayo, and turned out to be a huge character-building win. 

Going into a final as runaway favourites can be more a curse than a blessing, and it’s near impossible for lads of that age to remove themselves from the noise it brings. 

For 20 minutes it looked like they were cruising – and would see out the game pulling up, such was their control having been nine points ahead. 

But then a manic ten minutes followed – Mayo shipped three goals, lost Eoin McGreal to injury (replaced by the impressive Yousif Coghill), and went into the break only two points up, which flattered the Rossies. 

It was an area of the game that might concern Gardiner and his management team, particularly with the ease in which Roscommon worked those goals in their inside line, an area Mayo are blessed with physical stature. 

It was level in the 52nd minute after a goal from Roscommon, and they had all the momentum. But Mayo showed brilliant composure to see out the game and win their first title since 2018. 

It was a win worth much more to them as a team than had they romped home by a landslide. They are going to need every ounce of that grit if they are going to stop Louth next Friday evening in Longford. 

But you would not bet against them. It’s going to take a serious team to outscore Mayo and if they can handle the occasion, they will book a spot in the All-Ireland Final.