Ulster teams the key to Louth Hurlers avoiding relegation in the league
After narrowly avoiding the drop back down to the bottom tier of the National Hurling League, Louth are back for more in 2023.
Just one team will drop down next year, but with a Christy Ring plus a Nicky Rackard finalist to deal with, not to mention the runners up in last year’s league, The Wee County could be in for some tough clashes this spring.
ARMAGH
First up on the agenda is a home time, with the men in red hosting Armagh this Saturday in Darver (throw in 1PM). This is a rematch from last season when the two sides collided at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, also in round one.
On this occasion Louth almost caused a huge shock as they took it to their hosts, leading for much of the contest only to be denied by a late comeback by the Orchard County. In the end, they eked out a valuable 2-16 to 3-12 win.
Wins over Monaghan and Warwickshire followed, which was enough to earn a league semi-final. Despite losing out in the group stages, Armagh dug deep to clinch a victory over Roscommon, before Tyrone proved too strong in a high scoring final, 2-21 to 2-19.
ROSCOMMON
Next up the Wee County hits the road when they head to the West of Ireland to face Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday February 12 (throw in 2PM). This is another rematch after the teams’ locked horns in Dowdallshill last season.
The Rossies outworked the home side throughout, while their direct play and efficient shot taking saw them coast to a 13-point win, 2-21 to 0-14.
The Connacht side went on to breeze past Warwickshire and Monaghan and recorded a narrow win over Armagh. However, despite going undefeated they were denied top spot due to Tyrone’s superior scoring difference. This ended up hurting them, as they were beaten in the semi-final.
Going into the Nicky Rackard Cup the men in primrose and blue were highly fancied, having just dropped down a grade a year earlier. They topped the group with four wins, Donegal the only side to grab a point off them. Their average winning margin was 16 points.
Yet when it mattered most Roscommon couldn’t produce the goods come the All-Ireland Final, as Tyrone sealed a second title of the season in Croke Park, 1-27 to 0-19.
The Westerners are high scorers with a point to prove. This could be Louth’s toughest test.
MONAGHAN
After a weekend without a game, another trip on the road beckons for Paul McCormack’s troops in what has to be seen as a must win game if they are to stay in the division. They make the short trip to Iniskeen to face Monaghan on February 26 (throw in 12:30PM).
The two sides are very familiar with each other having met on numerous occasions in both the league and championship in recent seasons. Two goals in either half saw the Farney County come to Louth and bag a huge win. It was their only positive league result, effectively gaining them their safety.
They met again come the Lory Meagher Cup, with the men from Ulster victorious once more in an entertaining and high scoring affair, 5-12 to 3-11.
However, in a stroke of luck for Louth, this game was not counted, and Monaghan lost their points due to playing an ineligible player. That same issue saw the points earned for their earlier win over Cavan being taken away too and it cost them dearly. Despite just one loss to Leitrim, they missed out on the final.
FERMANAGH
Another just as vital fixture falls a week later when the Wee County once more have home comforts against Fermanagh in Darver on Sunday March 12 (Throw in 2PM).
Fermanagh are new to this tier, having secured promotion after a win over Longford in the final of Division 3B, having gone unbeaten in the round robin phase versus Cavan, Lancashire, and the Midlanders.
The Ernesiders competed in the Nicky Rackard Cup last year, only narrowly avoiding an immediate drop back to the Lory Meagher grade due to a win over Warwickshire. Both teams will look at this as a winnable game. All going well the Wee County will have grasped some points from these two games.
MAYO
Should they fail to secure a win up to this point, highly experienced Mayo, who come to Darver on Saturday March 18 (Throw in 2PM), will be their last chance to gain points.
Last year’s league was one to one forget for their fans as it saw the Westerners relegated from Division 2B. Following a draw with Wicklow, losses to London, Sligo, Derry and Donegal followed. But to their credit they rose their game come championship.
Playing in the Chisty Ring Cup, the highest tier of any team currently in 3A, the men in green and red turned around the form books with Wicklow, Derry, Sligo and London.
Their only blemish coming at the hands of Kildare, who defeated them again come the final in Croker.
Given this team was one game away from the second tier of the sport, they should be too strong for Louth, even in Darver.
But they were poor in the league last season and if they come undercooked Louth will do everything in their power to cause an upset.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, this is huge ask to stay up. They really need to target the Ulster sides, as on current form those from Connacht seem to be on the higher upward curve. A point was enough last season, but realistically they will need three points to feel safe.
With a return to Nicky Rackard on the horizon, which will feature three of the teams contesting Division 3A, this is certainly a great place to get primed and ready for championship hurling later in the season.
Regardless of avoiding relegation or not, these games will be a huge help in their prep.