Championship days are still special
SECURING back-to-back promotions and a Division 2 grid start in 2018 will be vital to the development of Colin Kelly’s young squad over the next few years, but Bevan Duffy admits that the Championship is still the big one.
‘It’s still what it’s all about,’ said the St Fechin’s man. ‘Obviously the emphasis on the League has grown over the years and it’s that bit more important now, but the championship days are special.’
One of the reasons the summer days are so special is that anything can happen and Duffy knows Louth cannot afford to underestimate Wicklow.
‘It’s a challenge in itself, going into a game like this because you know it’s a banana skin. Everyone expects you to win, but if you take your eye off it it could just as easily be a defeat.
‘But this team knows what it’s like to be on the end of some bad defeats in league and championship, so complacency won’t be an issue. We’ll respect Wicklow, but the focus will be on ourselves.
‘Obviously we know they were second from bottom in Division 4, and we’ll have a look at them, but we really need to focus on ourselves and make sure the workrate and mindset is right. If those two things are there the rest will take care of itself.’
Duffy guarantees an improvement on recent challenge match displays, including the concession of six goals against Westmeath.
‘We’ve struggled a bit since the league in a few challenge matches and that, and we haven’t been where we need to be.
‘I don’t know whether it was complacency or what it was, but it will be rectified for Wicklow. Maybe we needed a bit of time off after the league with everything that goes into winning promotion, but I’m 100 per cent certain we’ll be firing on all cylinders for the Championship.’
Unfortunately, the Reds have to plan without two key players on Sunday with Derek Maguire and Andy McDonnell both absent, but Duffy reckons Colin Kelly has built a squad that can cope with even the biggest losses.
‘Andy and Derek are both class players, losing them would be a blow to any team. But it is what it is and we just have to get on with it.
‘We have lads who can come in. We have strengthened the depth of the panel over the last couple of years and now is when that comes into play, when you lose lads someone else steps in.’
If Louth lack any motivation on Sunday, the prospect of facing Meath in a Parnell Park rematch should focus minds and Duffy believes that the prospect of a northeast derby should keep everyone on their toes.
‘It doesn’t matter if you play Meath in Darver in November or in the summer Parnell Park in the Championship, they are the matches you want to play in. But we’re not there yet. We have to beat Wicklow and that’s all we’re focusing on at the moment.’
It’s a challenge in itself, going into a game like this because you know it’s a banana skin. Everyone expects you to win, but if you take your eye off it, it could just as easily be a defeat