Pictured is Allianz ambassador and Louth Senior Footballer, Conor Grimes ahead of this weekend’s must-win match between Louth and Kerry in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. This summer, through a new mini-series called ‘Write Your Own Story’, Allianz proud new sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland Football Championship, has been showcasing the Championship's all-encompassing nature, it’s direct connection to the Allianz Leagues, from the perspective of the individuals involved - whether a player, coach, volunteer, or spectator - as they display the true essence of the GAA.
By Cian O’Connell
It has been a hectic 2023, but Louth footballer Conor Grimes is relishing the hectic schedule.
Having made significant progress in recent years, with Mickey Harte and Gavin Devlin’s shrewd guidance a crucial factor, Louth are enjoying operating in the revamped All-Ireland SFC.
Off the field of play, Spoonful Botanical, an all-natural health product providing support for joint health, has been created by Grimes and his wife, Jayne Gavin. Business is thriving, so there is always something to be done.
Sunday’s encounter against Kerry is the next chapter for Louth. “There has been some big occasions,” Grimes says.
“It has been fantastic so far, but as a player you are trying to stay present. You're not reflecting on anything that has gone before, we are just really focused on this weekend against Kerry.
“It is a must win game for us if we want to keep the Championship alive and to have more big days out. Ultimately that is the prize, and the goal we want is to have more big days out.
“We don't want it to be our last week of training or our last game on Sunday. We have got a massive challenge on our hands.”
Championship tests don’t come much more demanding than against Kerry. Grimes, though, is delighted that Louth are experiencing these types of matches regularly. “The All-Ireland champions, to get to play them after coming off the back of playing Mayo is huge,” Grimes responds.
Conor Grimes, Louth, and Jordan Flynn, Mayo, in All-Ireland SFC action earlier this month. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
“It is massive for the progression in Louth football, we need to be playing these games, week in, week out, in order to progress and improve.
“So we are relishing the opportunity, we are really looking forward to the occasion, but also well aware of the threat Kerry possess and how devastating they can be on their day.”
Louth drifted into Division Four, but a couple of promotions have been secured. A third was nearly added to the list earlier this year, but Grimes acknowledges the progress that has been made.
“It is where we believe we should be at, Mickey and Gavin have a lot to do with that, they put that belief into us as players and as a group,” Grimes remarks.
“This is the level they are used to, they are used to being at the top table. Mickey has more than 30 years of Championship experience, this is the level they are used to, this is where they want to be. They want to be at the top table and they have put that belief into the players.
“Obviously in such a short period of time, the progression we've had has been really remarkable in some ways.
“In other ways we don't want it to stop here, we have got to get to that next level. We are probably not at the level of Kerry and that yet, but we are preparing the best we can, we are doing everything we can to get to that level. Hopefully on Sunday we can cause an upset.”
Harte and Devlin’s expertise has assisted Louth. A meaningful connection has been forged between the team and supporters once more. “It has been phenomenal, this year all our league games were sold out, I know it was a smaller capacity venue, but to see it sold out is unreal,” Grimes says.
Conor Grimes, Louth, and John Small, Dublin, during the 2023 Leinster SFC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
“Obviously at the Leinster Final, to see the colour was fantastic. It was a disappointing result, it wasn't how we planned that day to go, but we still had unbelievable support.
“We stopped at the major towns - Drogheda, Ardee, and Dundalk - just to see the support out to welcome us on our way home was phenomenal. It is something we want to put right, we didn't want them to have to go through another day like that.
“We took massive learnings from that day, but the supporters have been phenomenal this day. Hopefully we can get them all out again, and to have a look at the opposition, to be going playing the Kerrys, the Mayos in Castlebar, supporters haven't had that for a very long time. We are relishing it as players and enjoying giving the supporters some big days out.”
Staying competitive and maintaining Louth’s involvement in high profile fixtures is vital according to Grimes. “That is our goal, that is what we are working towards,” he says.
“We don't plan on going anywhere, we are in Division Two now, we plan on staying there, if not going up to Division One. That is our goal.
“As a group we want to get back to a Leinster Final, we want to be competing at this level with these teams. I think this season bodes well for us in the future. We took massive learnings from the Dublin game, to come off the back of that, to be competitive against Cork and Mayo.
“It isn't ideal, we don't want to be clapping ourselves on the back for just competing with the teams, we want to be getting results. That is ultimately the game.
“We are still at the bottom of the table with no points, but there is massive learnings to be taken from it, and I think it bodes well for the future of Louth football.”
