By Seamus Leonard
Although Division 2 is incredibly tight, with four teams on four points with two games left, Louth could be cut adrift at the bottom of the table if they lose on Sunday.
The Wee County are currently on three points. If they fall to Derry, and Meath, Westmeath and Monaghan all secure wins, then Peter Fitzgerald’s side will be consigned to return to Division 3 with a round of fixtures still to play.
It is an unlikely scenario, but it adds weight to Fitzergald’s assertion that Louth simply have to win their remaining two games.
Easier said than done, however. After Sunday’s visit to Foyleside, Louth have a tasty derby with Meath at Páirc Tailteann to look forward to.
The funny thing is that Louth have hardly been whipping boys, but small margins make such a big difference. They were given a heavy beating by Monaghan, but other than that they have been competitive in every outing.
Darren Clarke’s dead ball ability saw him land 0-11 of his side’s 0-17 total against Kildare last Sunday. The St Sylvester’s clubman will need to be as clinical again at Celtic Park if Louth are to have any hope of taking something from the game.
Derry will be full of confidence after an away win in Meath lifted them off the bottom of the table. The return of Paddy Bradley certainly helped their cause and manager John Brennan was quick to praise the ball-winning skills of his talisman.
It is amazing what a win can do for a side’s campaign. Defeat in Navan would have left the Oak Leafers in a desperate situation. Now they will feel pretty confident of avoiding relegation.
But they cannot let complacency set in, as there are no guarantees in this division and they want to travel to Westmeath on 8 April in as strong a position as possible.
And Louth proved against Galway in Sallthill last month that they are capable of producing the goods on the road. The visitors secured a draw against the Tribesmen that day, and even a similar result this weekend would give them some hope of survival.
But the hosts have their own agenda and will be determined to collect maximum points.
Verdict: Derry
