Dean Rock: Louth's Leinster victory was no flash in the pan
Dean Rock says he expects Louth to be competitive for the foreseeable future after the county landed their first Leinster title in 68 years.
The Wee County built a famous triumph on first-half goals, and finished it by hitting the final three points of the game to see off Meath at Croke Park.
It comes off the back of their Under-20s claiming a first title at the grade in 44 years, while the county's minors are also in provincial final action next week against Offaly.
For Rock, who added eight Celtic Crosses to his 12 Leinster medals during his inter-county career with Dublin, it's not going to be a flash in the pan for Louth.
"They're developing a really strong culture in Louth and that's been reflected in the success of the U17, U20 and now the senior team," Rock said on The Sunday Game.
"As the senior team, you try to set the example for the future generations. That's what they've done over the last couple of years, they've reached the Leinster final three years in a row now.
"That's helped inspire the U17s and the U20s so it's really positive from a Louth GAA perspective.
"It takes a lot of good people to get to that stage. That's what Ger Brennan has referred to in terms of the clubs. They're a football-mad county and they've got incredible facilities up there.
"They're reaping the benefits now but I think they're going to be around for a long time - that's where they're at now between the 17s and 20s."
"He deserves a huge amount of credit"
Dean Rock highlights Ger Brennan's impact in getting Louth over the line in their long-awaited quest to clinch a Leinster SFC title
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Rock played together with Brennan towards the end of the current Louth manager's career with the Dubs. Both of them were on the field in 2013 when the Sky Blues saw off Mayo in the All-Ireland final.
And Rock says that his former Dublin team-mate has impressed in taking over in the Wee County following Mickey Harte's surprise departure two years ago.
"I can only imagine the time, sacrifice and energy he's put into Louth football over the last two years.
"From the outside looking in, when he took over the job - replacing Mickey Harte - it was one that people wondered how much further Louth could go.
"To be fair to him, he's improved this Louth team hugely. They've gone from being the second best team in Leinster to being the best team in Leinster.
"He deserves a huge amount of credit [but] he'd be quite humble in trying to pass on the credit to the players and the support team around him, but he himself deserves a huge amount of credit for bringing Louth back to the pinnacle."
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