Ger Brennan proud of big performance from Wee County

Dublin secured a 14th consecutive Leinster SFC title at Croke Park on Sunday, but Louth boss Ger Brennan can take massive encouragement from the performance his charges delivered against his native county.

Louth led by 0-07 to 0-06 at the break despite playing against the wind, but an improved second-half display from the Metropolitans saw them eventually prevail by 1-19 to 2-12, with Con O'Callaghan's 55th-minute goal steadying the nerves of the home fans.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the final whistle, Brennan admitted to mixed emotions, saying: "It’s disappointing not to come out on the right side.

"You know, there are a lot of positives also to be taken from the game. The boys inside, they're certainly proud of their performance, as we are as part of the management.

"There are some obvious areas of improvement, in terms of just being much more clinical when we're in possession.

"The top teams punish you, which Dublin did, and credit to them, particularly in that second half once they got the ball in hand.

"They were much more economical in front of goal, but I’m very proud of the lads.

"That third quarter, I think it finished 1-04 to 0-06 points to Dublin.

"So we managed to kind of claw ourselves back into it, but Dublin were getting their scores that bit easier as the game progressed."

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Louth’s two goal on the afternoon came via Ciarán Keenan and Craig Lennon, and their goal threat was a hallmark of a manager who subscribes to the philosophy that attack is the best form