It seems an age since June 28th 2014, Louth's last game in which they were heavily defeated in the qualifiers by Tyrone in Omagh. Since then Aidan O'Rourke stepped down as manager to be replaced by Colin Kelly and stalwards Paddy Keenan and Shane Lennon called time on their inter-county career.

Sunday saw the start of a new era as Louth travelled to Newbridge to take on Kildare in the first round of the O'Byrne Cup. An experimental side lost 1-16 to 0-7 in a display that reaffirmed the job ahead of the new manager.

Very nice to meet Ciaran Byrne who made time for a quick interview with RTE legend Brian Carthy before rushing off to catch a flight back down under. Also nice to put a face to the man behind the Louth And Proud website.

Regardless of the scoreline, it's great to have the inter-county season started. Next up is UCD under lights in Haggardstown on Wednesday!

Louth players stand for the National Anthem ahead of their game against Kildare in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Bevan Duffy of Louth and Eamon Callaghan of Kildare in action in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Declan Byrne of Louth looks on with suprise as referee Fergal Smyth shows him the black card in the 8th minute of the game against Kildate in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Louth's Derek Crilly and Kildare's Tomas O'Connor challenge for the ball as Kevin Toner looks on in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Daryl O' Brien of Kildare in action against Louth in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Ryan Burns of Louth shields the ball from Daryl O' Brien and Ciaran Fitzpatrick of Kildare in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Louth players are addressed by manager Colin Kelly after their defeat to Kildare in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Young supporters watch the Louth v Kildare game from the roof of the away dugout in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Brian Carthy of RTE waits to interview Ciaran Byrne after Kildare v Louth in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Brian Carthy of RTE waits to interview Ciaran Byrne after Kildare v Louth in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2014 Brian Carthy of RTE interviews Ciaran Byrne after Kildare v Louth in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015 Ciaran Byrne with Louth supporter Evan O'Connor after Kildare v Louth in the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup, Group B, Round 1 in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday January 4th 2015