Limerick travel to Louth for crucial Division 2 NFL clash

The Shannonsiders have a huge opportunity to get one over the side that beat them in last year’s Division 3 final in Croke Park.

The stakes are high this Sunday in Ardee as Louth welcome Limerick in the third round of the 2023 National Football League. Last year’s promoted duo come into the game without a point between them after the opening pair of rounds.

And as favourites to return to the grade they came from, Sunday’s game is of huge importance if either is to survive the drop in their maiden year in the second tier.

Limerick’s first two games do appear to be the toughest in the division as they traveled to last year’s All-Ireland semi-finalists Derry. A 12-point defeat followed but a week later with Dublin in town, Limerick acquitted themselves well in a 1-11 to 2-17 defeat in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

That leaves Limerick rooted to the foot of the table, behind this weekend’s opponents on scoring difference. And Louth will feel largely aggrieved to come into the game pointless after a pair of solid efforts.

In round one in Cusack Park, they let a lead slip at the death as Jamie Malone snatched the spoils for Clare. The margin was just three points when Derry visited a fortnight ago.

Louth were also victorious in both games featuring the teams in the 2022 League campaign, firstly in UL and then in the Division 3 league final in Croke Park.

After weather conditions forced the teams to the 4G pitch in UL, Limerick recovered after a slow start with a Hugh Bourke goal putting them on their way to victory. But despite leading by five with as many minutes to play, Limerick conceded the final seven scores to lose out 1-12 to 1-14.

Six weeks later in Croke Park, with promotion for both already assured, Mickey Harte’s men were the better side in recording a 1-14 to 0-12 victory, Liam Jackson with a crucial breakaway goal in the second half.

However, Limerick’s championship campaign proved more fruitful as they went on to contest a first Munster final in 12 years. Louth on the other hand were defeated by Kildare in the Leinster quarters. Interestingly both were knocked out by Cork in successive rounds of the Qualifiers.

It will be a first meeting with Louth for Ray Dempsey who prepares for just his sixth game in charge of the Limerick Footballers. So far he has handed out a number of debuts with Barry Coleman and Cathal Downes both making their league bows against Derry. The Kildimo Pallaskenry man was ruled out for Dublin but is hopeful on a return to the fold this Sunday.

Also in contention to return is Brian Donovan who Dempsey provided a positive update on in the wake of the Dublin loss.

“Brian (Donovan) is back training, trained on Friday evening so he played a bit of ball. The thing about fellas coming back now is to get the load into the legs. it’s not like years ago when the injury is healed you were good to go. The conditioning now required at this level, these lads are professional without the salary.”

Cian Sheehan, who has continued his exceptional 2022 into the new year, was withdrawn at half time against Dublin but is likely to feature against Louth who have their own injury troubles with key forward Ciaran Byrne ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.

2 April 2022; Sam Mulroy of Louth puts the ball under Limerick goalkeeper Donal O’Sullivan, as Seán O’Dea, left, and Cian Sheehan look on, only for the shot to be cleared close to the goal-line by O’Dea during the Allianz Football League Division 3 Final match between Louth and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Sunday’s clash will be the start of three successive weekends for both with Limerick to meet Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh before hosting Meath.

But for Dempsey and co, Sunday’s game won’t be looked past as the winner can begin to look up while the other faces a difficult journey to stay afloat.

Limerick face Louth in Division 2 of the National Football League this Sunday at 2pm in Ardee.


Limerick v Louth Preview w/ Pa Ranahan

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