Louth's Keenan looking forward to Kildare clash

Louth defeated Fermanagh 6-17 to 0-11 at DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee last Saturday to overtake them in the Allianz Division Two table.

The Wee County found the net six times through Sam Mulroy, Peter Lynch, Conor Grimes, Ciarán Downey and Tom Jackson all getting goals to put the game beyond doubt.

Forward Ciarán Keenan expressed his delight after the crucial victory that left the Reds' destiny in their own hands.

Sharing his reaction after the game he said: “We're delighted with it. Really, really happy with it.”

“The main thing for us at the moment is to win but we are really happy that at halftime we had that bit of a lead, and we were able to push on and win by a good bit in the end,” he said.

“We knew going into that one that it was going to be massive, it was a real relegation play-off game. We really needed to win so I am delighted that we got a good result.”

Louth showed a real hunger from the first whistle and scored four goals in the first half, Captain Sam Mulroy netting twice, with Peter Lynch and Conor Grimes also hitting the target.

“Sam (Mulroy) got the two first goals so that kicked us on. It was just about pushing on and not sitting back and absorbing pressure,” Keenan said.

“We wanted to keep on attacking and keep on scoring. Goals are always massive for confidence and we got a good few of them, thankfully.”

Ger Brennan's side held a significant 4-6 to 0-6 advantage at half time as the tie was all but over as they continued to put the game beyond reach of the Ernesiders in the second half.

“We weren't even saying that inside, we were saying that we need to keep pushing on.

“We have had leads in other games at halftime, and our second half hasn't gone to plan, so we knew we had to keep pushing on in the second half.

“It has been a while since we really pushed on against any team like that and won so convincingly, so that is probably what we are most pleased about.

“I thought everyone was really good. Defensively and in attack we were all really in tune and worked well as a team," he added. 

The Wee County take on Kildare in their final Division Two fixture in Carlow tonight, where they control their own destiny to avoid the relegation drop.

“We all need to focus now. We enjoyed our victory but have moved on to what is going to be a massive game for us.

“We have played Kildare a number of times over the last few years, so we know how good of a team they are.

“They hammered us there about two years ago in the Championship so we know how many good players and how much quality they have.

“They mightn’t have had the best results this year so far but we know it's always going to be a dangerous game.”

Throughout their campaign this year Louth have failed to take most of the goal chances that they created, but were more clinical in front of goal against Kieran Donnelly’s side.

“That is something that we have discussed. Unforced errors and then being more clinical when we need to be.

“They are two things that were really cleaned up, we didn't give the ball away too cheaply especially in the weather. Then when we got the chances we put them away, that was a massive change for us.”

Keenan, who plays his club football for St. Mary’s in Ardee, concluded by saying “It was always extra special playing out in Ardee.”