Preview: Louth hurlers set to test their limits in Nicky Rackard Cup

Paul McCormack’s men have been on upward curve in recent seasons. They won the Lory Meagher Cup in 2020, secured promotion from Division 3B in 2021 and regained their All-Ireland crown last season following a decisive win over Longford.

Looking at their current form, the Wee County did enough to secure their Division 3A status, a win over Roscommon being the highlight, before a hard-fought victory over long-time rivals Fermanagh essentially secured their safety.

There was a tough loss to an in-form Monaghan and gallant displays in defeat against Armagh, before losing out to a Mayo side desperate for a win. So after a decent campaign, where does that leave Louth in the pecking order for the championship?

Wicklow (April 16th)

First up for the Wee County is a date with Leinster rivals Wicklow away from home this Sunday in Aughrim (Throw in 2PM). They have been working out of Division 2B this season and have looked impressive to date.

On their way to second place they accounted for Tyrone, London and Donegal, all while putting up decent showings in defeat to Meath and Sligo.

Their most recent outing saw them narrowly losing out to Donegal in the league semi-finals, 0-17 to 0-16. In those six fixtures, the Garden County have averaged close to 20 points a game, so are sure to pose plenty of threats.

Last year they contested the Christy Ring Cup, two tiers above where Louth were in 2022, but struggled to make an impact. They failed to secure any wins and were relegated. They had been at this level of the game since 2007, often while it was the second tier, one below Liam McCarthy.

They last met Louth in the 2022 Kehoe Shield. Louth led by five points at half-time, 0-12 to 0-7, but the home side finished the shaper to secure a 1-19 to 0-15 victory.

Roscommon (April 22nd)

The highlight for Louth this year so far was a shock win away to Roscommon back in February. A rematch with the Westerners in Darver is the Wee County’s second championship test.

The earlier meeting was one were all 18 players used were prepared to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. By half time, Louth were pretty much out of sight, and with Roscommon down to 14 players, Louth didn’t need to take too many risks as they recorded a memorable 2-16 to 0-15 victory.

It led to their manager stepping down from the job, but to their credit they’ve bounced back well. Wins over Armagh and Monaghan coupled with draws against Mayo and Fermanagh seeing them top the group. A comfortable win over Armagh in the league final, 2-17 to 0-15, saw them promoted as champions.

Looking to their championships form, having been relegated from the Christy Ring in 2021, the men in Primrose and Blue were highly fancied to go well at this lower grade. They topped the group with four wins, Donegal the only side to grab a point off them.

However, when it mattered most Roscommon couldn’t produce the goods come the All-Ireland Final, as Tyrone sealed a second title of the season in Croke Park, 1-27 to 0-19.

Fermanagh (30th April)

Another rematch from Division 3A, this clash with Fermanagh in Darver could easily prove to be just as important to any survival plans. Their meeting in the league became a de facto play off, as a loss meant Louth were pretty much destined for relegation.

McCormack’s side brought a three-point lead into the break, and they increased this margin to seven around the 48-minute mark. However, come injury time they were back all square and it took some dogged defending alongside a few late scores to secure a vital 0-19 to 1-15 victory.

That that loss meant the Ernesiders needed to beat Armagh in the final round to have any hopes of surviving. They were beaten narrowly in a hurling classic, 3-17 to 3-16. That booked Armagh a place in the semi-final and doomed Fermanagh to Division 3B.

The Ernesiders competed in the Nicky Rackard Cup last year, only narrowly avoiding an immediate drop back to the Lory Meagher grade due to a win over Warwickshire, having lost out to Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Roscommon.

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Donegal (13th May)

Donegal will be one of the biggest unknowns for hurling fans in these parts, as they have tended to be separated from Louth by a couple of divisions and tiers in the hurling ladder in recent seasons, which makes this trip to Letterkenny a very tough clash.

They have played well this year in Division 2B, three wins over Sligo, London and Tyrone securing third position and a semi-final spot. A recent win over Wicklow helping them claim a place in the league decider. There they faced a formidable Meath outfit, falling to 0-20 to 0-14 loss.

Looking back on the 2022 championship, the men in green and gold had a decent showing in victories over Armagh, Fermanagh and Warwickshire, plus a draw with the Rossies that saw them finish sit comfortably in third position, just a point off making the final.

Armagh (May 20th)

The final fixture of the group stages sees Louth taking on another side they have played already this season in Armagh, this time away at the Athletic Gounds, having already collided in the first round of the league back in February in Darver.

In said meeting, the Wee Country trailed by 17 points at one stage as the visitors made good use of the elements. Louth did manage to make the score more respectable by the full time whistle, rallying to leave eight between them at the death, 3-18 to 1-16.

The Orchard County did end up making the final but needed a narrow win over Fermanagh to do so following disappointing losses to Monaghan and Roscommon. As already accounted for in this piece, Roscommon proved too much form them, meaning they missed out on a chance at promotion.

In the championship they ended up having a rather forgetful campaign in the Nicky Rackard Cup. Losses in their opening three games against Roscommon, Donegal and Tyrone were followed by wins over Fermanagh and Warwickshire as they limped their way into a disappointing fourth place finish.

Final Thoughts

Paul McCormack will know what he is up against with three of the five ties being rematches from the National League. They won two out of the three, but you can expect a stronger Roscommon, who will not take Louth likely.

There is also the prospect of taking on Wicklow and Donegal, both of which have become accustomed to playing a higher calibre of opposition, which should stand to them when the going gets tough.

Louth will be on the road for three out of the five rounds, Roscommon and Fermanagh in rounds 2 and 3 the only clashes set for home soil.

With one team going down a win over Fermanagh needs to be secured to survive, but in a tier where there is isn’t a huge deal separating the teams, two positive results may be required to feel safe. And staying at this level is crucial if Louth are to continue their development in the small ball world.