WEEKEND NFL FIXTURES
The Wee County have yet to feature in the tier two competition but need to string some league wins together to keep it that way.
The 2023 Leinster finalists coughed up a four-point second-half lead when losing to neighbours Meath last week.
It was their second loss in three and they’ll have it all to do against promotion chasing Cavan on Sunday.
That game is at fortress Ardee at least, where Louth have won six of their last seven League games.
They could have experienced trio Bevan Duffy, Liam Jackson and Niall Sharkey available for selection too.
It was reported last winter that all three had stepped away but Sharkey came on against Meath last Sunday while midfielder Duffy and attacker Jackson have rejoined the panel and may be considered.
Another Louth loss would leave them in a relegation scrap and facing a battle to avoid their first ever season in the Tailteann Cup. Ex-dublin defender Brennan (left) said: “It’s a huge game, I’m absolutely aware of that. They’re flying it at the moment and are probably unlucky not to be sitting on five points if not six points at the top of the table.
“They’d a very tight win down in
Pairc Ui
Chaoimh as well so we’re going to be under pressure going into this game.
“The beauty of the League is that there isn’t much time to be dwelling or getting down on yourself. You just have to look at the evidence of the video (against Meath) to see how things can turn around in a very short period going into a home match against Cavan, who are certainly on the up.
“We’re going to have to come out fighting and swinging in Ardee.”
Defender Craig Lennon was named to start against Meath having previously lined out in the one-point loss to Armagh and the win over Cork. But he was replaced before throw-in and has emerged as an injury doubt for this weekend too.
Brennan said: “He had a small tweak in his hamstring, we gave him every chance and he worked hard to try to get it right. It would have been risky putting him in but hopefully we’ll see him this week, or the weekend after.”
Louth went 33 minutes at one stage in the second-half against Meath without scoring. Brennan said their play became ‘ragged’ and the St Vincent’s man is looking for a big improvement. Part of that means being more clinical in front of goals.
He said: “It’s something we’ve looked at. In the Armagh game too there were times where we probably shot a bit too soon, certainly in the first-half when the ball could have been brought in a bit closer.
“Against Meath we were bringing it in that bit further when the point was on and would have kept the scoreboard ticking over.”
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 7.30pm; Tyrone v Mayo, O’neills Healy Park, 5.15pm
Down v Offaly, Pairc Esler, 6pm
Wexford v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm
Galway v Derry, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm; Roscommon v Monaghan, Dr Hyde Park, 1.45pm
Armagh v Donegal, Box-it Athletic Grounds, 3pm; Fermanagh v Cork, Ederney, 2pm; Louth v Cavan, Ardee, 2pm; Meath v Kildare, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
Sligo v Antrim, Markievicz Park, 2pm; Westmeath v Limerick, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm; Clare v Wicklow, Cusack Park, Ennis, 1pm
Carlow v Leitrim, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm; Tipperary v Laois, FBD Semple Stadium, 2pm; Longford v London, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm