Louth “will be looking to rectify” errors next week says Hilliard

Louth senior hurling manager, Trevor Hilliard, was left frustrated at Markievicz Park this afternoon after his side suffered their first loss of the season, falling 0-20 to 0-15 against Sligo in the opening round of the Nickey Rackard Cup.

Hilliard was left ruing a sluggish first half that ultimately left his team with too much to do in the second period. 

When speaking with the Dundalk Democrat shortly after the full-time whistle, he said: “It was our first loss of the season, it is disappointing.

READ MORE: Louth hurlers battle hard but fall short against Sligo

“Just the way we came out in the first half and all the wides that we had. It is disappointing to lose the game, but we have to take some positives out of it. We created a lot of chances.

“We are disappointed with the wides that we got but we will be looking to rectify them scores next week.”

The Wee County trailed by eight points at the half-time interval and were never quite able to reel in the hosts. Hilliard admitted that his side didn’t come out with the intensity needed in the early stages.

“In the first half, we were probably slow out of the traps, and we ended up three points down before we settled in.

“Then we got a back of three all, and then they just got another grip again they pushed on probably in the last ten minutes, to get a bit of a lead going in at halftime.

“We were wasteful in front of the posts, and we had five or six wides in a row. They capitalised on their score and made the gap big to eight points.

“But overall, you would have to be disappointed with the performance in the first half, we didn’t go and play the type of game we can play, or the toughness wasn’t there in the first half.”

The performance after the break was much improved, with Louth showing far more urgency and purpose.  The introduction of Leon Fox to a more advanced position gave Sligo something different to think about.

“There was just a bit of a gap then in the second half. Leon (Fox) - we just threw him up for a couple of minutes to let us see.

“And he caused a wee bit of trouble when he went up. It was more so that our shape all over the field was a little bit better and our aggression was probably good.

“So, in the second half, it was a much better performance. We flew into tackles, and we have to start like that and make sure we bring that in the next game but bring it early.”

Goalkeeper and captain, Conor Clancy, was another standout performer as he made a number of important saves to keep Louth in the contest.

“Yeah, Conor (Clancy) pulled off one or two saves there, one excellent save there, especially in the second half.

“Maybe one in the first half, but in the second half we probably could have had three goals ourselves. Probably disappointing that we didn't scramble one of them across the line.

“I did think that when (Leon) Fox went through that it was definitely a penalty, but some of the calls we didn't get today, every free was hard fought for.

“We had opportunities, so we can't be watching them, we have to keep our eyes on what's ahead now.”

Next up for Louth is a must-win clash against Fermanagh at Dowdallshill. Despite having already beaten them twice this year, Hilliard knows it won’t be easy the third time around.

“I expect next week against Fermanagh it's going to be a sloggy game. Very hard to beat a team twice now from my try to go out and beat them a third time.

“After today's result, we really need a result next week. Fermanagh is the one we have to go out on and hopefully, we can do that.

“Be under no illusion we know Fermanagh are now probably back to full strength. Luca McCusker is back, and the big full forward is back as well.

“They are going to bring a lot of danger next week, so we have to be on our A game next week if we're going to get over today.”