Wee County manager Peter Fitzpatrick says 2010 was a "great year" for Louth.

But the Clan Na Gael clubman - who enjoyed a roller-coaster first season at the helm - insists it is imperative that the Reds build on the progress they made this year:

"We got to three finals - the O'Byrne Cup, the Leinster final, and the Leinster junior, which we won. It's been a great year, but if we don't go forward from it, it's been a complete waste.

"Our goal next year is to win promotion to Division Two. I'm making a statement now that if we don't achieve that, it will be a failure, because you have to be playing at that higher level of football if you want to compete in Leinster.

"When you look at Kildare beating Meath and Dublin beating Tyrone, they're teams we've shown we can compete with this year.

"They're the best three teams in Leinster and we've shown we can compete with them - but it's important that we take that next step, and we'll leave no stone unturned.

"Any young fella that we see any potential in will get his chance." Tweet

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