Louth defender Donal McKenny after scoring a goal against Cork in Inniskeen on Sunday. Picture: Ken Finegan/Newspics
Louth manager Ger Brennan reckons Donal McKenny should be in All-Star contention after another stellar display in Sunday’s victory over Cork.
The Ardee St Mary’s clubman popped up with a goal for the second successive match, a score which was vital to the Reds reaching a first-ever All-Ireland quarter-final.
McKenny is nearing the 50-match mark for Louth at senior level and Brennan, a former defender himself, believes he ought to be foremost among the awards’ selection committee’s thoughts.
“Talking of personal accolades, I don’t know how Donal McKenny is not being spoken about as a potential All-Star,” said the Dubliner.
“Look at how he got on with Paul Mannion in the Leinster final and he’s marked all the best players. He’s had a huge season, scored two great goals and just has the heart of a lion.”
The Louth boss praised the role performed by his captain, Sam Mulroy, in the one-point triumph as well, which extends the county’s championship season into an eighth game.
“I think you have to mention Sam Mulroy as captain. He was excellent at half-time, how he coached the team through, the steel he has to stick that winning free over and not only that but to get back and stick the hand in and support his defenders at the end, it’s testament to Sam and his leadership.
“There were a couple of structural things that we needed to fix at half-time and Sam was very influential in that.
“We were standing off Cork like we did a bit against Kerry and with ball in hand, we were coming on to the ball carrier instead of lengthening and widening the pitch. We were able to address those at half-time, thankfully.”
