Joe Carroll: League status protected – now for the championship
The Louth seniors’ championship match with Westmeath wasn’t too heavily underlined before the season began. The ones that were, were all in the league.
And the questions abounded: Could enough points be garnered to avoid relegation? If Clare and Limerick are not beaten, who will be?
That competition is assigned to history, and not only were there enough points on the board at the end of the seven-match series to steer away from the drop, had there been a win in the concluding contest, next year would be all about Division One football, and Louth would have a record to their credit – the only county to have ever won promotion three seasons running.
Not for a long time has the competition – which, for 16 counties, mixes knock-out and league football – been anticipated so eagerly in this county. There’s a strong feeling that there can be an extended run, a view shared not only by those shouting for the red, but others shouting the odds.
When bookmakers first chalked up prices for Leinster they had Louth at 200/1. Knock a nought off and you now have what punters would have to trade at if they wanted to have a bet.
As we’ve learnt from watching telly, reading the newspapers, and scanning the bookies’ prices, Louth’s spring performance didn’t go unnoticed.
Pairc Tailteann has been chosen for Sunday’s joust with Westmeath. It was at the Navan venue where Mickey Harte’s team conjured up arguably their best league display, and to be going back there is not a drawback.
Meath, of course, were in opposition, and when Colm O’Rourke’s side went five points clear, there was reason for the big travelling support to be concerned. The fat lady dressed in red had still to sing, however.
Sam Mulroy and Tom Jackson played that day. As both are receiving treatment, neither is likely to be on duty on Sunday.
Mulroy missed the last two league matches after being replaced against Kildare, and if he’s to return to the county team, it may not be until the Tailteann Cup or All-Ireland series.
Jackson has since picked up an injury after linking beautifully with his brother Liam for the goal that gave Louth hope in the promotion-deciding game with Dublin.
Westmeath’s victory in last season’s Tailteann Cup gave the new competition the boost it needed. They beat Cavan in the final, and the manner in which the win was celebrated on the streets of Mullingar could only have been music to the ears of the authorities. Games were keenly contested throughout, and giving the final a Croke Park setting was important.
The midlanders, who are guaranteed a place in this year’s All-Ireland series because of their Tailteann win, were expected to kick-on. They tried to make a serious bid to win promotion from Division Three. It didn’t happen.
While they scored 56 points more than they conceded in their seven matches, they had only four wins, leaving them just fourth in the table, well off top team Fermanagh.
Westmeath is a county that comes up with an outstanding player every so often. In the past they’ve had Spike Fagan and Dessie Dolan. John Heslin has filled the role in recent times, and is obviously the one Louth will have to watch. Dolan is in his first year as manager.
While Louth and Westmeath are jousting at Pairc Tailteann, Meath and Offaly play at Tullamore. The winners of both games meet in the semi-final at Croke Park on the last Sunday in this month.