Louth set for All-Ireland SFC showdown against the Bannermen in Portlaoise

Louth face a huge task this afternoon as they take on Clare in their final All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Group Three clash. Throw-in at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, is at 2.00pm.

It’s simple for the Wee County, win or draw and they’ll secure a place in the preliminary quarter-finals. A loss and their campaign could be over.

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Manager Ger Brennan has stuck with the same starting fifteen that pushed Down all the way in Newry last time out.

Despite that narrow defeat, there were signs of promise and Brennan believes his players are ready to deliver.

Speaking with the Dundalk Democrat ahead of the clash, Brennan was full of respect for Clare and the challenge they pose.

While the Bannermen have missed out on some key players, their depth of strength hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“They're a talented group. They're unlucky to miss out on promotion just about up to Division Two,” said Brennan.

“Three seasons ago they were the best team in the early rounds of Division Two. Louth mobilised quite well after that, finishing on eight points themselves in that division.

“They’re an excellent team. Yes, they've lost a couple of bodies, but if you're looking, you've got Mark McInerney, Emmet McMahon, Connor Meany, Brian McNamara, and then Keelan Sexton too.

“Then Eoin Cleary and one or two boys due to come back from injury that we haven't seen yet. They're quite a talented bunch.”

Brennan also pointed to Clare’s up-and-down form so far in the group stages.

“Looking at their performance against Down, they would be a bit disappointed with how they started, and particularly on their own patch, they seemed to perform that bit better the last day against Monaghan.

“Albeit Monaghan pulled away in the second half, and then they certainly fancy themselves against Louth.”

Despite the stakes, Brennan is keen to keep the mood relaxed among his squad. He’s proud of what this team has already achieved, and rightly so.

“What this group of players have done for Louth has been phenomenal, and whether we win or lose at the weekend that will never change,” he said.

“The joy and the happiness that they've brought to people's lives, that ending of a 68-year famine, these fellas, whether we win or lose on the weekend, they're always going to be legends, and for me, there's no pressure on them.

“They've nothing to prove to me or the management team, I know they've got the elements of their own play, and they've lost the last two games, but there are obviously mitigating circumstances there.

“But for me, they're just a wonderful group of lads, and they should have no fear of the outcome at the weekend, and go out and have fun, and express themselves.”

Louth starting team: 1. Niall McDonnell; 2. Daire Nally, 3. Dermot Campbell, 4. Donal McKenny; 5. Conal McKeever, 6. Peter Lynch, 7. Craig Lennon; 8. Tommy Durnin, 9. Ciarán Byrne; 9. Bevan Duffy, 11. Ciarán Downey, 12. Conor Grimes; 13. Ciarán Keenan, 14. Sam Mulroy (c), 15. Ryan Burns.

Peter Keane has named a strong Clare side, led by captain Eoin Cleary. The Bannermen will be eager to bounce back from defeats to Down and Monaghan.

Clare XV: Eamon Tubridy; Rory McMahon, Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Ikem Ugweuru; Brian McNamara, Daniel Walsh; Shane Griffin, Dermot Coughlin, Conor Meaney; Aaron Griffin, Eoin Cleary (c), Mark McInerney.

The referee on duty will be Dublin native Barry Tiernan.