Louth U20 hurlers are set for final against the Farneymen at Dowdallshill

The Louth U20 hurlers are gearing up for a huge challenge this Sunday as they face Monaghan in the Ulster GAA Hurling U20 Development League Final in Dowdallshill at 12.00noon.

The Wee Countys journey to the final has been impressive as they edged out Fermanagh in their opening game to win 0-8 to 0-7 at Darver.

The opening round victory was followed by a three-point defeat to today's opponent Monaghan in Round 2 (1-13 to 2-7) which was their only setback.

However, they bounced back strongly with a 2-9 to 0-11 victory over Cavan at Darver to finish second and secure their place in the final.

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Louth Ulster GAA Hurling U20 Development League, results:

Round 1: Louth 0-8 Fermanagh 0-7 at Centre of Excellence, Darver; Round 2: Monaghan 1-13 Louth 2-7 at Cloghan, Entrekra COE; Round 3:  Louth 2-9 Cavan 0-11. Centre of Excellence, Darver.

(Ulster GAA Hurling U20 Development League table)

Speaking with Louth GAA ahead of the final, Louth U20 hurling joint-manager Ronan Mulholland reflected on his coaching journey and the importance of developing young players.

He said: “I have been heavily involved with GAA since I was a young man. I loved the aspect of playing and then obviously got older and coaching was something that was on my mind.”

Mulholland has played a key role in nurturing young talent in the county, and he believes the experience gained at this level is crucial for the players' development.

“It is massively important. I have come on board now for about two and a half years. Been involved with Louth GAA and the academy along with Paddy Lynch.

“Last year we had great success with the Louth U17s – we won our Celtic Challenge title which was a massive boost for the academy and hurling as a whole within our county.”

The integration of young players into the U20 and senior setups has been a major boost for Louth hurling.

“We have a new set-up this year as well with the senior team where some of our men have been training alongside them. So, they are gaining experience, and everything has tied in quite nicely,” Mulholland added.

Louth’s involvement in the Ulster U20 Development League has been a significant step forward for the county.

Mulholland said: “It definitely has especially at this time of year where you might find yourself that your club is not back yet. It is keeping me training the whole time which has been a massive boost.”

With a nice blend of players from different hurling clubs across the county, the squad has a good mix of experience and youth.  
“We have a nice blend of people there. We have a man there Shane Curtis. He has come back to hurl this year with us, and it is great to see.

“The likes of himself, we had Michael Kirby who is a Kilkerley man like myself, but unfortunately Michael has been injured for the last while.”

As for Sunday’s final against Monaghan, Mulholland expects a tough encounter. “I think it is going to be close.

“I would like to think that we are both as skilful as each other but tactically you never know what way things are going to go,” he said.

“The game is in Dowdallshill at 12 o'clock, we would love to see everyone there as best they could. Please come out and support us.

“It would be great to have a full house and have the backing of everyone there with us and we will go and give it a right auld game as best as we can and hopefully come out on the right side of it.” 

With Louth’s senior hurlers also flying high after finishing their league campaign unbeaten, the county’s hurling fortunes are on the rise.

“At this moment in time, we are flying. Our seniors are looking at a league final and things seem to be moving in the right direction.

“We’ve got new systems of play that have been brought in again this year with Trevor Hilliard and his management team.

“Hopefully progressing with the U20s and the senior team next year and hopefully now boys will start feeding up into our senior team.”

Louth hurling is undoubtedly on the up, and a victory this afternoon would be another big step forward as the Wee County will be hoping to turn the tables on Monaghan in front of their home support.