MICKEY Harte took his first training session with a full-strength Louth panel on Monday night and key forward Sam Mulroy sensing that these are “exciting times” for the Wee County.
After 18 years and three All-Irelands with Tyrone, Harte made the surprise switch to the ambitious Division Four outfit last year and Mulroy is convinced that the Glencull native’s vast experience, passion and tactical knowhow will pay dividends for his county.
“It is brilliant to have Mickey involved and it was brilliant to be back on the training pitch on Monday night,” he said.
“I think everyone was in the same boat – we were all just delighted to get out and get a ball in our hands. Mickey has won everything with Tyrone during his team there so if there’s anyone who can help us along the way it’s him and Gavin Devlin. It’s exciting times and hopefully we can build something with him.”
Louth have been placed in Division Four North alongside Leitrim, Antrim and Sligo – all of whom have Ulster managers (Terry Hyland, Enda McGinley and Tony McEntee respectively). Like their rivals, promotion is the number one target for Harte’s men.
“The main goal at the minute is to get out of Division Four and it’s the same for everyone in that division – the only way is up,” said Mulroy.
“They are all going to be really competitive matches and winning the three games would put us in a really good position to go up so there is no room for error over the next four weeks as we prepare for the first League match. We’re really looking forward to those games, they’ll be competitive because everyone is there (in Division Four) for a reason, that’s the level we’re at at the moment. All four teams in the group will be looking to go up – everyone has the same goal, everyone will be fighting. They'll be really competitive matches and hopefully we’ll come out on the right side of them.”
