CATHAL Murray has faced down many challenges throughout his coaching career – and Sunday throws up another when his St Mary’s side face reigning All-Ireland champions Kilmacud Croke’s.
The Hilltown man, an All-Ireland winner with Down in 1991, has led the Ardee club to back-to-back Louth titles in his two years at the helm, ending a 27-year wait when toppling Newtown Blues after a replay in the 2022 decider.
They confirmed their county supremacy last month against Naomh Mairtin, before last eight victory over Blessington set St Mary’s on a semi-final collision course with the all-conquering men from the capital.
Bringing the likes of Dublin All-Ireland winner Paul Mannion and Galway star Shane Walsh to Páirc Mhuire was a major incentive, though Murray is in no doubt about the size of the task at hand as they bid to invoke the giant-killing spirit of Mullinaghta – shock Kilmacud conquerors in 2018.
“The challenge for us is to stick with what has got us this far,” he said.
“Do you suddenly adapt your game to suit their strengths? That’s something we have to come up with. Have we the answers? Yes - but it also depends what questions they throw at us.
“The quality they have is just immense, but the most important thing is that the collective has to work together. They have individuals we really need to watch but, at the same time, some of our forwards will certainly give their defenders a bit to worry about as well.
“We’ll certainly put it up to them, the problem will be the consistency and whether we can stop their big players getting those scores.
“But these are the games you want to play in. If you’re satisfied with mediocrity, that’ll be your level. You have to want to compete against the best, whether that’s sport or whatever facet of life it is, you want to push yourself.
“I just want them to perform, and to show how good they can be – not to be overawed by the opposition or the occasion.”
Croke’s proved far too strong for Carlow kingpins Eire Og last time out, winning 1-12 to 0-4, but St Mary’s have also shown significant improvement as the campaign has worn on.
Having been involved with Louth under Wayne Kierans prior to Mickey Harte’s 2020 appointment, Murray was aware of the talent coming through in Ardee – and believes they have continued to build and progress since his first year at the helm.
“Working with these lads has been a breath of fresh air.
“A lot of this is coming off the back of underage success and an amazing crop came through within the space of two or three years, but as much as you have a lot of those lads in around the 24 sort of age group, we also have guys at 39, 40 who have been going a long time and it took them until last year to get the championship medal.
“The likes of Ronan Carroll, Darren Clarke and Robbie Leavy have shown that if you stick around long enough, and keep yourself in amazing shape, anything is possible. For the likes of Sean Callan, only out of minor, to have that experience around him has been invaluable.”
And, having fallen short to Westmeath champions The Down’s during last year’s venture into the provincial championship, Murray believes St Mary’s are better equipped this time around.
“We were down a couple of players going into that game - we’re going in now with a stronger squad and a stronger team. That helps at this time of year, because we were disappointed how it ended last year. We thought we could’ve gone further.
“In the Louth final we had a slow start but they didn’t panic - when the pressure came on we had players able to step up and deal with the challenges put to them.
“It was great to see them being able to deal with that adversity, and to show they have that in them.”
