Louth take on Orchard men in National Hurling League opener

Louth senior hurlers go into their Allianz National Hurling League Division Three opener full of optimism as they take on Armagh at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on Saturday, 24th January, throw-in at 2.00pm.

Joint manager, Paddy McArdle, says the feel around the group has been upbeat from the first night back. 

He said: “Yeah, the mood's good. It's exciting to be honest with you. We're looking forward to getting into the Armagh game now at the weekend.

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“Preparations are good. We've had a few games under our belt, played Down in the Conor McGuirk Cup, and we’ve played Monaghan in the challenge match.

“We played another challenge match at the weekend, and we're just trying to get a few final preparations ready.”

McArdle admits the pre-season schedule was difficult and the opposition was strong.

When speaking about the lessons, he said: “Not a big pile to be honest with you. Two of them were very close together. The McGuirk Cup was put back because of the weather.

“It was refixed three times, so it left us in the back for a wee bit with it. We already had taken the Monaghan game, so we had to take the two of them relatively close to each other.

“The McGuirk Cup game was a really good run out for us because we stayed with Down for most of the game.

“I know they beat us by seven points in the end, but looking at it on paper where they are and on paper where we are, that was a really good showing for us because there were a couple of levels above us.

“The Monaghan game, we were a wee bit tired, we were leggy, but still, we got through the game alright. It was a good challenge for us.

“But in terms of players, this team's been pretty settled these last two or three years. So it's not as if we're learning anything, we're just trying to get to know the new lads that are coming on to the team and where they fit into it.”

Settled squad

McArdle believes it has been easy for new players to settle quickly in the squad.

“Oh yeah, they have surely. They've settled in well. We've got the luxury of having a team that's in their prime at the minute.

“You're talking about lads like Peter Fortune, Conor Clancy, Conor Murphy, Conor Quigley. They're all well-matured, well-seasoned campaigners.

“So there's no bother taking new lads onto the squad. They identify with them straight away, and they just get in behind them and make sure they get behind them and make them feel at home.

“Because at the end of the day, if a lad comes in and he doesn't really know his place in the squad, then it doesn't help us. It helps them at the end of the day if a lad's coming in and you're instantly.”

Target

For McArdle, there’s no point in talking about promotion pushes until Division Three status is secured first.

“The biggest target at the minute, because it's first, is holding our status in Division 3. We fought hard to get into it last year. Or back into it, should I say.

“We are going to go back up there, and we don't want to go back out again. So the main target is to stay in that division. Get the first game over us, try to get a win.

“Build into the second game, and you never know where it goes after that. A wee bit of momentum is hard to beat, too. 

“If we get the boys in the right place for the Armagh game, there's no saying what we can achieve or what we can't achieve.

“Our aim now is to win the first game. Obviously, league status is the most important thing, but win the first game, and then we'll take it from there.”

New season

Joint manager, Dairmuid Murphy, admits it’s been a learning curve stepping up to management.

“Paddy was in management before it's probably my first year at county level, but I was at the club for a few years first. It's different; there is a lot in it.

“We have been involved in the last couple of years, and we knew the work that went into it, but there was a lot of work. We’ve phone calls every day, even with Derek (Dunne).

“So we are in constant communication with him all the time to make sure stuff's organised, even for training and matches coming up and trying to make sure everything's organised. There's a lot to do for the four of us.

“We have a few in, Ciarán McKelvey is in there. Ciarán has transferred to Naomh Moninne from a club in Laois. So he's up here now. He's a big addition to us.

“A couple of young fellas came through as well. So there's a good mix of the old and new coming together as well. So they're all looking forward to it now this year.”

Injuries

There are a few knocks, but Murphy feels the Wee County are in decent shape overall.

“We've had a few niggly injuries at the minute. We're just trying to get them settled in for a minute. We've got to get them finalised. Mark Gahan is carrying a wee bit of a knock, but he should be okay.

“Conor Quigley's coming back from surgery; he's nearly there as well. Ricky (McKeown) and Sean have a knock. These are only small wee knocks too.

“So we're hoping to get them back. And suddenly you get them back, your panel's ramped up straight away, and you're back at the top numbers again. So, all going well, they’ll be ready for next week.”

Armagh

Murphy says everything has been shaped around Saturday’s opener against the Orchard men.

“Paddy knows them quite well, as it is his home county. Paddy would have played for Armagh for a few years, so he knows them. So, yeah, it's a massive one. Everything's geared towards that.”

With Tyrone and Donegal now plying their trade in Division Three, Murphy knows his side will face a tougher test.

“They've come down. They’ll be tough opposition, too, now. It's a tough league. When you look at both those teams, we have them at home.

“There's a chance for us, too, but they'll be well up there this year. Please, God, we can stay with them for as long as we can.

“The first three games are very important. The first game is very important. We haven't looked at any other game bar the Armagh game, really.

“We've not even had the chance to look at the others until we try and get over the line against Armagh.”