Kildare's David Whyte enjoying the Louth fairytale story

Louth senior footballers had a day to remember when they won the Leinster Senior Football Championship at Croke Park after a narrow victory over Meath. Former Moorefield and Kildare senior footballer, David Whyte, was a key member of Ger Brennan’s management team that claimed the Delaney Cup earlier this month.

Whyte previously worked alongside Brennan at Moorefield where he was part of the Dubliner's backroom team during his two year spell with the club.

The outpouring of emotion in Croke Park as Louth captain Sam Mulroy lifted the county's first Leinster title in 68 years and in the days following was something special.

“It’s been unbelievable, the last few days have been exceptional," said Whyte. 

"It’s been nice to sit back and take it all in. Seeing the joy that this has brought to people in Louth is unreal, seeing grown men crying and that. I think the game itself was a great advertisement for the provincial championships. It was the same the night before at the Donegal and Armagh game, just brilliant games of football. Obviously, it was brilliant for us to get over the line.” 

Whyte dipped first dipped his toes into management at Junior level with Rathcoffey and in 2021 he led the club to their first final since 1990 before losing to Kilcullen. He was tempted back to his own club by Brennan and the pair struck struck up a good relationship, which led to Whyte joining Brennan when the former Dublin player was announced as Louth manager ahead of the 2024 season.

“First of all, I suppose I need to thank Rathcoffey, they gave me my first gig in management, and I really enjoyed it there. Then I suppose, Roli Sweeney got onto me and said that Ger was taking over the senior team in Moorefield, and asked was I interested in getting involved. You look at Ger’s record with Dublin as a player and it was very hard to say no to, especially when it was your own club as well. We built up a good relationship, and when Ger asked me to go in with him with Louth I was delighted."

Brennan took over after Mickey Harte departed his post but Whyte said they didn't feel an pressure in succeeding such a legendary manager. 

"Ger is extremely humble, he has no ego. He’s holistic. He sets his own standards, and lads buy into him, he’s a brilliant guy. I didn’t feel any pressure really coming in after Mickey Harte to be honest. The people that were before us did really well as well, but I think you could see in that Meath game, that, that was Ger’s team and he had his stamp on it, obviously taking nothing away from the previous management. Structurally, football in Louth is in a really good place, you see that with the minors, U20’s and the Seniors. The only thing I would say is, you would love to see that in your county, in Kildare,” said Whyte.

The former footballer said that the introduction of the new rules in Gaelic football are exciting and, in his opinion, good additions to the game.

“The new rules are great. The game is more entertaining now. With the old rules, we would be at training and James McCartan, who is in with us, would be looking for lads to stay up, or I would be looking for lads to stay up. I think something had to change. It’s definitely more entertaining now. In last year’s Leinster final under the old rules, we had a plan against Dublin defensively and you have to stick with it. You feel what is right to give you the best chance of winning the game, you’re looking to stay in the game and nick it I suppose but look there is obviously the new rules now which means you have to hold lads up”.

When asked about facing Meath in the provincial final, rather than Dublin who were expected to reach the final, Whyte claimed that didn’t affect Louth’s preparations.

“Everything was the same to be honest, things didn’t change for us because we weren’t facing Dublin. I think everyone prepares that you will be facing Dublin in a Leinster final. I suppose the game against Meath did feel more like an All-Ireland final in terms of attendance than atmosphere. I haven’t heard a lot of All Ireland finals that had that sort of atmosphere.” 

Louth overcame the Royal County thanks to a spirited second half performance but the Louth selector claimed the controversial ending to the 2010 Leinster final, had no effect on the game or Louth’s preparations for the game.

“Obviously you are delighted for the more experienced lads in the group, obviously Andy McDonald that was on that team in 2010. But Ger is really good at keeping the outside noise out, I know it was big talking point for a lot of people, but it really did not affect us at all. They are a great group of lads, there’s no bad eggs. There’s a very good leadership group there, that push things forward in the right direction.

“In the game itself we probably didn't perform to our maximum in the first half. Craig Lennon showed a piece of brilliance, and we got two other well worked goals. We tweaked a few things at half-time. We won every breaking ball in the second half, 10 from 10. We wanted to try and stop Meath getting on easy ball in certain parts of the field. In fairness to our lads, they remained calm and cool after Meath’s goal to get back into the game and eventually win it. Again like the homecoming was after was great, as I said you would love to see it in your own county. I was just delighted for the players and their families.” 

Whyte will be back on familiar territory when Louth begin their All-Ireland series in Cedral St Conleths Park on Saturday against Monaghan at 4.45pm and Whyte has every confidence that the Louth team will want to progress further. 

“It’s important to make hay while the sunshines and we will look to kick on. Sometimes people take football too serious though. It’s a hobby at the end of the day. We look now to level the group ahead of the group games. They’re ambitious players though. They won’t rest on their laurels, as competition for places is brilliant.”