The previous season there had been expectations of an immediate return to the top-flight, but a poor start left them struggling to catch the leaders and, with a play-off spot seemingly secured, the club became embroiled in a losing battle with the league's hierarchy and Kilkenny City.

[4] But a slump in form saw them risk losing touch with fellow pace-setters, Athlone Town, obliging Murray to bring more players in.

[6] The season was nearly derailed, however, when the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak lead to an exclusion zone being put in place around County Louth.

They had beaten Shelbourne in the first round of the Leinster Senior Cup, but the crisis saw the competition ultimately abandoned for the season, and it would be 2010 before it was revived.

[9] Two heavy league defeats followed as they struggled to get back up to speed, with home matches having to be played in United Park in Drogheda.