Byrne not underestimating Wicklow
DECLAN Byrne insists Sunday’s Leinster opener will be far from a ‘Garden’ stroll, despite the hugely contrasting League fortunes of Louth and Wicklow.
The Reds secured a second promotion on the bounce to seal a Division 2 spot next season, while Wicklow won just one game in the bottom tier against London, who were the only side to finish below Johnny Magee’s men in the table.
However, Byrne feels that unless Louth maintain their promotion-winning form, they could be in for a tough afternoon in Donnycarney.
‘We know we have to get our levels right. We will have to be at that Division 2/Division 3 level with a high tempo to put them away, because I’m sure Johnny Magee will ensure they put their league campaign behind them and they’ll be gunning for us. They’ll be viewing it as a David v Goliath type of clash so we have to be wary of that.
‘It’s the first round of the championship, this is why we train so hard all year. The League is just a stepping stone to here so we certainly won’t be taking anyone lightly. We know that on any given day any team can beat anyone. We’re Louth at the end of the day and we don’t have the right to look beyond Wicklow.’
The challenge match circuit hasn’t been kind to Louth since the National League ended, but Byrne isn’t reading
too much into it.
‘You can take what you want out of challenge matches, the main thing is you get game time into lads. Normally what happens is it’s intense for 20 minutes and then everyone starts doing their own thing.
‘I think we had a good prep playing Tipp in the league final, which was an extra game. I know it didn’t go too well, but it all counts.’
For Byrne the Championship has lost none of its lustre or romance, and while Dublin’s dominance in has cast a shadow over the rest of Leinster, he feels Louth should be aiming to reach the provincial decider.
‘Most teams in Leinster at this point in time are playing second fiddle to Dublin. But we would see an opportunity there to maybe reach a Leinster final.
‘I suppose we’re on the right side of the draw. If we get by Wicklow, the aim would be to give Meath a good rattle, but that’s a big if.
‘Then you have the qualifiers too. We set our targets out at the start of the year and we know exactly what they are. It’s important that everyone puts their foot down over the next few weeks. There’s good competition for places within the squad and everyone is going reasonably well.’