June 14, 1964: Legendary clubman Mickey Gartlan played at midfield for Louth in their Leinster Championship defeat of a strongly-fancied Offaly at Croke Park (1-9 to 1-4), while Tateetra's Paddy McKeown was on the Reds minor XV that pipped Wexford (2-7 to 0-9) in the curtain-raiser at HQ.

Gartlan is said to have done quite well in the fixture, which qualified Louth for a semi-final clash with Meath, his fielding and the length of his kicks were noted in The Democrat's match report.

The subsequent meeting with Meath proved to be a disappointing one for all concerned. Gartlan had to retire early on through a head injury as the Royals prevailed 2-9 to 2-7.

Gartlan was, by this point in his career, a regular in the Wee County side having starred for Roche during their golden era of the late 1950s into the early part of the following decade, when the club contested two senior championship finals, winning in 1958, and six consecutive Cardinal O'Donnell Cup deciders.

He was club captain in '64 and led the team to the O'Donnell Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by their old nemesis, that outstanding Newtown Blues team which dominated Louth football through the 1960s.