Louth's Tommy Durnin embracing the impossible task as they bid to take down Dublin
'There's no point just being competitive and patting each other on the back. We go out to win and we go out to achieve. They're the goals you set and it'll be no different against Dublin.'
Tommy Durnin insists that Louth aren’t interested in moral victories as they face down Dublin in another Leinster final.
For the first time since 1958, Louth have reached successive provincial deciders though expectations are lower now compared to 12 months ago.
Back then, Louth had made a push for promotion to Division One, with it going down to a last game shootout against the Dubs in Croke Park.
Though they lost that game by seven points, they were competitive enough to suggest that they could potentially trouble them some more in the Leinster final, particularly with Dublin having struggled past Kildare in the semi-final.
But it turned into a nightmare as the Dubs ran out 21-point winners en route to another All-Ireland, and they appear to have kicked on since.
"We enjoyed the experience,” Durnin reflected. “A lot of lads probably have regrets from last year. And there are a lot of people probably saying that it's only a matter of Dublin turning up.
“We'll let the public decide what they want but we want to be where we want to be. Yes, we have to play a lot better and we learned a lot last year. But it all comes down to throw-in. We'll really see where we're at then.
“We analysed last year's Leinster final the week after it - where things went right and where things went wrong. Dublin can kill you in 10 minutes. I think they basically scored 1-5 in 10 minutes.
“We weren't happy with it but there are learnings from all of this. As long as we learn and we bring a different intensity and a different level to go at Dublin again, that's exactly what we're going to do. It's something to look forward to."
It wasn’t the only chastening afternoon that Louth endured in last year’s Championship as, after looking as though they had absorbed the lessons from the Dublin game by pushing Mayo to a point in the group stage, they then suffered a 28-point beating from Kerry.
Durnin continued: “On some big occasions, some of the younger lads or maybe older lads might drop their heads and, as I said, you're punished in 10 minutes. It's an uphill struggle then.
“We want to put our best foot forward. We've learned and we've learned the hard way. They were two big beatings from Kerry and Dublin.
“We've also seen what can happen in the likes of the Mayo game. But as good as we performed against Mayo, we still lost so they're only moral victories. But we want to be causing upsets and we want to be winning these games.
“There's no point just being competitive and patting each other on the back. We go out to win and we go out to achieve. They're the goals you set and it'll be no different against Dublin.
“Yes, people looking from the outside will say it's an impossible ask. But it's only impossible until it's done so we're going to give it our best shot.”
The midfielder, formerly of the Westerns in Reaghstown, now plays his club football in Monaghan with Inniskeen Grattans, which he says has stood to him when linking back up with Louth.
Last year they played in their first county final in 33 years, losing to Scotstown.
“In previous years when we were getting knocked out in the Leinster Championship and you were into the qualifiers, your season could have been over in May or June. Then you're going back to the club scene where basically my club maybe lasted until August.
“And then your season is over and you get comfortable. You're not pushing yourself, you're not going to the gym three nights a week, you're having a few beers at the weekend, you're living a comfortable life.
“Now, the way the split-season has gone, I'm playing with Inniskeen who are challenging for senior titles. We won a league title last year for the first time in a long time. I'm a very competitive, putting-my-shoulder-to-the-wheel kind of guy. So it was kind of a period where I just wanted to give my all to football and I want to be the best I can. We kind of have that belief in Louth now.
“Even going to a new club in Monaghan, it has opened new doors. I've met new people and last year in the senior final I played against eight Monaghan senior players. It's great prep.
“You're playing in these pressure situations where you learn. Sometimes the experience is good but if you're not up for it then you're found wanting.
“It's giving me a better mindset as well of how you deal with some of these losses, but also how you learn and become better. It has definitely helped. I'm still enjoying it and they're still happy to have me there so I'm happy to keep going and keep playing away."
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