Picture is much different for Louth than it was a year ago with two games left to play

Around this time last year, Louth seniors were right in the mix for National League Division 2 honours, promotion at least, outright victory at best. There were two games remaining and a win in both would secure a meeting with Derry in the final; but more important, a place in this year’s Division One. This page said Louth followers were in dreamland, and they were.

Just two years earlier, Louth, in Mickey Harte’s care, had been scooping the mud off their feet after climbing out of a Division Four quagmire. They followed with a further promotion, and after that were ready to mix it in Division Two with seven teams, who, if all of them didn’t belong to the elite, were still in the county’s top half.

Clare and Limerick were eyed as two teams who’d have to be beaten if Louth weren’t to be constantly fighting a relegation battle. When the Banner snatched a first round win, there were real fears the Reds would be constantly involved in a scrap with the stragglers.

And fears weren’t allayed when Derry came to Ardee to make it two defeats in succession. Thinking back, however, Louth held the visitors to a goal that day, and considering all that the Oak Leaf achieved after that, there was a merit in that Louth performance which might not have been clearly discernable.

There was merit, with Louth getting on the bike after that, three straight wins, against Limerick, Kildare and Meath, giving the competition an entirely different look. We’re now back to where this story began. Cork were next up, the Rebels coming to Ardee for the first time. Sam Mulroy was out through injury, and Conor Grimes shipped an early injury in the game. But there still was enough in the tank to forage a 1-10 to 0-10 win.

The remaining match was against Dublin in Croke Park. Win it and Louth would be on the way up. Conall McKeever struck the post and Tom Jackson scored a screamer of a goal. Dublin were still able to get the verdict; but nothing could take from what was an outstanding Louth campaign.

We’re now back to where we are today. There are two games remaining in Division Two, and Louth are in a much different position than they were this time last year. There’s just one win on the board compared to last year’s four, and instead of looking forward, Louth glances are now all backward.

Fermanagh are coming to Ardee on Saturday, and no-one needs to be told a home win is essential. Defeat might not be the end, nor will a victory be a guarantor of survival. But if there’s a win, prospects of staying up will be a brighter going in to the concluding tie with Kildare.

It’s like this at the bottom of the table: Cork are on four points, Fermanagh on three, Louth on two, and Kildare pointless. Cork are in Navan this weekend, while Kildare play host to Donegal. If Louth are the only moving team, Kildare will be relegated. But with two to go down, the relegation race will continue for another week.

While Louth go to Carlow’s Dr Cullen Park for that meeting with Kildare, Cork have Armagh as visitors, and Fermanagh cross the border to take on neighbours Cavan. How better than the age-old cliché, it’s all to play for, to put everything in focus.
Louth have the beating of Fermanagh, as they had for last year’s tie in Enniskillen. There’s lots to be remedied, however.
It was said here before, kick-outs have a better chance of succeeding if they’re taken quickly.

No-one should know better than Ger Brennan that that’s how Dublin have been doing it for years, and they haven’t done too badly, have they?

Still on kick-outs: putting pressure on Fermanagh’s might be a better ploy than replicating the Ballyshannon strategy.
And the wind? Should there be one blowing on Saturday, the hope is that Louth are able to take advantage when it’s in their favour. If there’s a choice, playing with in it the first half might be the better option.

What shouldn’t be forgotten, final placings in the league could decided where a county plays in the championship, the Tailteann Cup or the All-Ireland. Right now, you’d have to think that Louth’s best chance of making the premier competition is through the Leinster Championship.