Cool hand Luke and Killoe looking for luck in their quest for Longford glory

Luke Dempsey is a man with a gaelic football CV that speaks for itself. The Killoe supremo has literally done and seen it all in a managerial career that has spanned almost three decades.

In that time he has occupied the helm of a number of inter-county sides and club outfits across Longford, Kildare, Westmeath and Meath.

It’s a sporting pedigree that tells its own story as he goes in search of guiding Killoe back to the summit of Longford football in his first season in charge.

Dempsey’s decision to assume the role of the Emmet Og manager came largely as a result of his close friendship with club chairman Declan Rowley.

Their affiliation goes back to 2004 when Luke was brought in to take over from outgoing Longford senior football manager Denis Connerton with Rowley acting as assistant in a coaching capacity.

Longford SFC Final: Clonguish are rapidly rising but Killoe look to have the edge

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Final on Sunday, throw-in 4pm

While the rapid rise of Clonguish is unquestionably the main talking point in a new twist for the honour of capturing the coveted Connolly Cup, their talented young team are now facing the toughest test in the title showdown against the favourites Killoe Emmet Og at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Sunday, throw-in 4pm.

“Declan rang and at that stage Killoe were looking for a manager,” Dempsey recalled when pressed about how his appointment came about.

“I had taken a year out and we were travelling to Australia and I just asked could he wait until April and I would consider it.”

Dempsey’s decision was, by his own in jest admission, heavily influenced by his “persuasive” long time friend.

“As I was away for a period, Declan had asked Stephen Coy to come in and be part of the management team. I had never met Stephen prior to coming to start with Killoe this year.

“I was impressed with the facilities and the set up and things worked well with Stephen, Sean Maguire and Brendan Conway.”

Luring a household name like Dempsey certainly shone the spotlight on a possible championship tilt, something the Kildare native was quick to talk up.

Will Ballymore get the better of Killoe in the Longford Junior final?

Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Final

After suffering the bitter disappointment of defeat in the last two finals, Ballymore will be hoping for a case of third time lucky when they take on the Killoe second string in the 2023 Junior Football Championship title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday next, throw-in 1.45pm.

“It was always the aim,” he said. “Any time you go into a club the aim for me has always been to get to the final because I am too long in the tooth to go through the motions.

“Obviously, a big part of that depends on injuries and county players being away but I was delighted with the way we worked our way through major obstacles, but we are there now and hopefully we will triumph on the 15th (of October).”

Dempsey’s track record in guiding club sides to championship success have included the likes of Moorefield (Kildare) in 2014 and St Loman’s Mullingar two years later and is a résumé that has, in some circles, earned him the moniker ‘Lucky Luke’.

Not that the man at the centre of those terms of endearment gave it much credence when it was put to him ahead of Sunday’s hotly anticipated encounter against Clonguish.

“What people want to call me I don’t pay much attention to,” he replied stoutly.

“I have been managing since 1994 and if you added up successes, that would occupy a very small part of that long period.

“There have been years fraught with defeats and disappointments and at the end of the day, you are only as good as the panel you have.”

In describing the side Killoe face come Sunday afternoon as a “dynamic” Clonguish team whose path to the final have included the notable scalps of both Mullinalaghta and Dromard, Dempsey is under no illusion as to the task awaiting his charges.

“Every player that takes to the field will have to play to their maximum, nothing else will do,” he said.

“We have to focus on our performance and after that it’s whoever has that bit of luck and takes their chances on the day that will come out on top.”

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