Louth derby clash whets the appetite
A LOUTH derby with lots at stake for both teams should make for an exciting duel at Mill Road on Saturday (2.30pm) as Dundalk and Boyne go head to head in a vital Leinster League clash.
Victory for Dundalk away to leaders Ashbourne last weekend has left Mike Walls’ charges just two points off the top of the table and they now have to be regarded as serious title contenders, although third-placed Enniscorthy have a game in hand after having their clash with Boyne postponed last Saturday due to an unplayable pitch at Shamrock Lodge.
That call-off will hardly help the Drogheda men who haven’t played since December 2nd when they went down 27-3 at Gorey.
With one team relegated automatically and one entering a play-off, the situation at the bottom of the table looks much tighter following the games that did take place at the weekend.
A second consecutive win for bottom club Monkstown means they could yet catch the teams above them, and at the same time De La Salle Palmerston have been dragged into the dogfight, with three points now covering the four teams from fourth to seventh places.
With the Enniscorthy game refixed for Saturday January 27th, Boyne have to face the three title contenders consecutively and Graeme Eastwood’s men could find themselves in serious bother going into their final two games against De La Salle Palmerston (home) and Wicklow (away).
Dundalk assistant coach MJ McKevitt feels the game against their nearest neighbours is pivotal to their title ambitions, describing it as a ‘cup final’, and he is wary of the threat posed by Boyne.
‘These two weeks after Christmas are massive, and with their game cancelled Boyne are waiting in the long grass for us,’ he said.
‘I am very apprehensive to say it, but the league table doesn’t lie and if we beat Boyne then we can really start thinking about it [league title].
‘They had a bit of a resurgence before Christmas and they’re fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. Up in Boyne we stole the game, so they will be gunning for us.
‘But if we play as well as we’re capable of, then the result will look after itself.’
That 15-12 away success at Ashbourne made it five wins from five on Dundalk’s travels this season, but they have won only twice at home and McKevitt knows that home results will have to improve markedly if his team are to challenge for the title in the four remaining games.
‘We didn’t play well in Ashbourne, to be honest, but it was a great win and I’m very impressed with what we’ve done this season. We are doing remarkably well with what we have.’
With James McConnon returning to action last weekend and no fresh injury concerns, Dundalk will be at full strength apart from the absent John Smith, while Boyne coach Eastwood should also have a full deck to pick from.