Louth minors ready for 1/4 final clash

Louth minors continue their Leinster Minor Football Championship tonight when they host Wicklow in the quarter-final stage at Páirc Baile Fiach. Throw in at 7pm.

Under the guidance of Johnny Clerkin, Louth's youthful squad clinched the second spot in Group 2 having conquered Westmeath and Meath, before falling to Kildare in their last outing.

Andrew O’Reilly has been in fine form throughout the group and will look to build on his performances in Hunterstown.

However, they face a tough task against a confident Wicklow side who recently triumphed over Offaly in a hard-fought battle last week.

Tonight’s last eight encounter is not as much about securing victory for the Wee County as it is about laying the groundwork for the future.

Speaking ahead of the quarter-final clash, Clerkin said: “We were delighted with the two-week break because you are straight to a quarter-final.

“You can rest up and it gives you a bit of time. It doesn’t feel as rushed; the winner goes to play next week in the semi-final, so the games are coming thick and fast. Regardless of whether you had a week off or not, we all like to say what suits the narrative.

Looking ahead to the challenge of the Garden County, the manager continued: It is very much a fifty-fifty game. Wicklow are quite similar to us, they are pretty good in a lot of their play. It’s going to be a tough one.

“We went that route last year and we had to go to Aughrim in Wicklow in a preliminary and then we had gone to Offaly the following week and that in itself was a challenge.

"Being on the road two weeks in a row, they were lucky enough they got a home preliminary, and they are away for their quarter.

"You can’t beat playing games of football, that’s the advantage of coming through that route. The disadvantage is maybe rest and maybe a fella with a niggle or two."

Louth results:

Wednesday 27th March

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship – Group 2

Louth 1-10 Westmeath 0-11 – Páirc Baile Fiach (H) - Round 1

Wednesday 3rd April – Round 2

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship

Louth 1-10 Meath 0-11 – Páirc Baile Fiach (H) - Round 2

Saturday 13th April

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship – Group 2

Kildare 0-12 Louth 0-6 – Manguard Park (A) - Round 3

Wednesday 1st May

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship – Group 2

Louth vs – Wicklow (H) - Páirc Baile Fiach (H) - Quarter-final