Louth ready for Rossies NHL clash

Louth hurlers welcome Roscommon to PPFS Darver this afternoon, as the Division Three table tightens and momentum is building in the Allianz National Hurling League.

Round one saw the Wee County leave BOX-IT Athletic Grounds with a five-point victory over Armagh before falling to defeat against Tyrone, but they responded in kind in Brewster Park, overcoming Fermanagh in their last game.

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Speaking with Dundalk Democrat ahead of the game, Louth joint manager Paddy McArdle said: “We are probably happy enough so far.

“When we sat down at the start of the year and looked at the league fixtures, both Armagh and Fermanagh games were games that we pinpointed and thought we could get points out of.

“We have been lucky enough to win both games. We beat Armagh by five the first day out and beat Fermanagh by four the last day out.

“And by no means were any of the two games easy, the boys had to dig deep to the very end to see out the games. Tyrone was a slight bit different. Tyrone got ahead of us, and we were constantly chasing them.

“It did look like we were going to get into the game at different stages, but to be honest with you, I think we done ourselves a bit of an injustice that day.

“We didn’t hurl to the level that we can hurl to, and we know we can hurl to. So, probably overall we are happy enough.

“The big thing now is going out the next day against Roscommon and getting another two points against them.

“By no means is it going to be easy, it is going to be a step up again, but I definitely think this team are capable of making the step to the next level. So, in a whole, so far we’d be happy enough with the start of the league.”

Louth sit fourth in Division Three, level on points with Roscommon, Wicklow and Donegal.

“We are sitting around mid-table there, and we are probably happy enough with that at the minute.

“As we know, this is a tough division, we have taken a step up from last year, so to be in around where we are around mid table, we are probably happy enough. It is probably in around par for us.

“There is definitely more to come from this team in where we haven’t got anywhere close to the levels that we can get to, and by no means is it the finished article.

“We have got players constantly coming back in again and back from injuries and whatever else, so yeah, it is probably in around par for us at the minute, and hopefully there is another step in us.”

Belief

“There is definitely a sense of belief within the team and in the dressing room. I know as management, we believe they are good enough to be hurling at this level and possibly a level above.

“The lads are now starting to see that they are every bit as good as any team in this division, so yeah, I think there is a bit of belief growing there.”

Roscommon

Roscommon arrive with pedigree. Last season’s Nicky Rackard Cup winners. A side that edged Louth in the final game of the previous campaign before lifting silverware.

“Roscommon, the next day out, we kind of know what to expect from Roscommon. We have played them a few times over the last couple of years.

“We played them in the last game of the season last year. We were leading the game for big parts of it, and it ended up with Roscommon winning on the day.

“Then they went on to win the Nicky Rackard Cup, so yeah, they are a good bunch of players and a good team. They are a big, strong physical side, so yeah, we will be right up against it on Saturday.

“This is an absolutely massive game for us at the weekend against Roscommon. They have been a step ahead of us for the last couple of years, and we want to try and bridge that gap.

“As management, we know this team is well capable and well able to hurl at this level; it is just about putting the performances together now at the right time.

“As you have seen over the last couple of weeks, we hurled well in patches against Armagh, we done the same against Tyrone, and we hurled well in patches against Fermanagh.

“But now we need to start putting proper performances together because as we go later into this league, the competition is starting to step up a wee bit.

“But as I say, we know exactly what we have here. We know who we have, what personnel we have, and we know who we are working with, and these lads are well able to definitely able to take the step to the next level.

“So hopefully come the end of the game against Roscommon, we will have another two points on the board, and we will be kicking on in the right direction again.”

Team news

“Injuries - we have a few lads that have been long-term. We haven't seen them on the field this year yet. Conor Quigley is probably out for another three or four weeks, as he got surgery on a hip problem he had last year.

“Adam Plunkett has a groin issue ongoing from the off-season as well, so we are hoping ‘Plunkey’ gets back in the next two or three weeks. Quigley is probably still three or four weeks out.

“Ciarán McKelvey pulled up with a hamstring against Fermanagh. I don't think it is anything too serious. He is probably maybe a week out from the game, which would be right around that time we are going out against Roscommon.

“We had Ricky McKeown back in full training this week. He had an ongoing issue too, with the groin.

“Mark Gahan actually came back in against Fermanagh and played the full game as well; that was his first outing of the year, so he is back to full fitness now too.

“So on the injury front, we are not too bad, we have only them two or three – Quigs, Adam Plunkett and Ciaran McKelvey – and we are hoping McKelvey will be fit for the Roscommon game.”