Reds’ revenge mission ag
LOUTH manager Philip O’Brien is hoping it’s a case of ‘third time lucky’ when his team host Warwickshire in round one of hurling’s 2018 Nicky Rackard Cup in Darver on Saturday (1pm).
In the first of three group games the Reds will be seeking revenge for their three-point defeat to the Exiles in the NHL Division 3A Final six weeks ago, while the counties’ first meeting in the league ended all square - 1-16 apiece.
Defeat wouldn’t spell the end of Louth’s qualification hopes - they next face Longford away on the 19th and then Monaghan on June 2nd in Darver, with the top two in each of the two groups progressing to the semi-finals.
However, Meath native O’Brien is keen to make a positive start and feels the Wee County are better placed to compete at this level than 12 months ago when they were stepping up from the Lory Meagher competition and duly went out in the early stages.
‘I think we’re in a better position this year to make a challenge,’ O’Brien agreed, following a regular league campaign that featured two wins, two draws and one heavy defeat to Roscommon on the opening day back in January.
‘By getting to the league final we’ve let the cat out of the bag and everyone knows what we’re about, but there’s no one out there that we fear.
‘It’s down to who wants it the most and if we can get that attitude from the lads we can come through.
‘We will give it our all and whatever pans out we’re not in this competition just to make up the numbers.’
That said, O’Brien is wary of a Warwickshire team whose team selection can be unpredictable, while he is sweating on a number of injuries in his own camp.
‘We’re well capable of beating them, but they are tough opponents and we’ll need to be