Louth senior hurling manager Hilliard high expectations ahead of league opener

Preparations are in full swing for the Louth senior hurlers as they get ready for their 2025 Allianz National Hurling League Division 4 campaign.

The Wee County start their season with a home game against Fermanagh on Saturday, 25th January, at Dowdallshill.

The second-round clash will see Louth travel to Monaghan on Saturday, 1st February, for what promises to be a Derby Day battle.

Following that, the team heads to Birmingham to take on Warwickshire on Saturday, 8th February. The excitement continues as Louth welcomes Leitrim to Dowdallshill for a Round 4 battle on Sunday, February 23rd.

In Round 5, Louth take on Lancashire at Abbottstown on Saturday, 1st March, before rounding off their campaign at home against Longford on Saturday, 8th March, at St. Brigid’s Park.

Louth senior hurling manager, Trevor Hilliard, spoke to the Dundalk Democrat about the team’s preparations and goals ahead of their campaign.

Reflecting on the pre-season, Hilliard admitted it had been challenging without matches before Christmas, which left little recovery time from last season.

However, the team has played several friendlies in January, including matches against Wicklow, Cavan, and Armagh. These games have helped the panel gain match sharpness as the league approaches.

Hilliard said: “It was a wee bit harder with no matches before Christmas to help the players recover properly from last season.

“It came in that we couldn’t do any matches, so a lot of matches are being confined into January to try and get a look at new players.

“We have had a couple of games against Wicklow and Cavan, the latest being on Sunday against Armagh, so we are playing right up before the National League starts.

“It will help to get a look at lads and to get match sharpness because it is coming so quickly at us. The whole goal was to improve the panel and to get new faces in which we have done.

“In general, we seem to be in a stronger position than we were last year. We have a few games behind us but there are a few players carrying injuries and they will not be back until around the middle of March.

“When we get all of them back coming towards the end of the league and the start of the championship then we will be at our strongest.

“This week we’ll be looking at a few more of the younger lads and see which way they are, then we will finalise what we are doing.

Hilliard emphasized the importance of high expectations. “You have to be looking at winning the league this year. You have to have high expectations and to win the league is a must for Louth and a push in the Nicky Rackard.

“I have looked at the Nicky Rackard draw, there is not much between any of the teams. If you look back at the results from last year, there is only a point here and a point there.

“So, if we can fine-tune a few things that we weren’t getting fully right last year and get them right this year then we will be in a better position.”

The integration of new players has been a key focus for Hilliard and his team. “The new lads have settled in well, including dual players who balance hurling and football. So far, so good,” he noted.

The backroom team has also seen a slight adjustment with the addition of strength and conditioning coach Eimear Kelly.

Looking ahead to their biggest challenges, Hilliard highlighted the importance of the opening games.

“Fermanagh will be a sticky contest; they’ve just won the Lory Meagher Cup and are on a high. Monaghan in Round 2 will be crucial as well.

“To have a real shot at the league, we need at least two, if not four points from those games.”With the season fast approaching, Hilliard’s focus remains on the immediate challenge.

“Our first goal is to turn Fermanagh over in Round 1. After that, we’ll shift focus to the next game. No team can be taken for granted.”

Louth fans are set for an exciting season as their team aims high in the Allianz National Hurling League.

With fresh faces in the squad and improved preparations, the Wee County are ready to make their mark in 2025.