Louth draw Carlow and avoid Dublin and Meath

AFTER a nightmare National League draw there was some relief for new Louth boss Pete McGrath last week as the Reds were paired with Carlow in the first round of next year’s Leinster Senior Football Championship.

With Dublin, Meath, Westmeath and Kildare all seeded into the last eight on the back of reaching the semi-finals this summer, Louth had nothing to fear in the opening round, but Carlow will be viewed a more favourable option than Laois, Wexford or Offaly.

And there was more good news for the Reds as both Meath and Dublin emerged on the opposite side of the draw, with Westmeath and Kildare in Louth’s half.

The winners of the Louth/ Carlow clash will face the Lilywhites in the last eight.

Dates and venues will be decided at a later date, but Louth do not currently hold home and away agreements with their Leinster counterparts, so the Carlow clash and any subsequent matches are likely to be played at neutral venues.

The Leinster draw came hot on the heels of a tough provisional Allianz League fixture schedule threw up tough away trips to Cavan, Cork, Tipperary and Clare next spring.

The Reds will face McGrath’s native down at home on the opening weekend and will also host Meath and Roscommon in Drogheda.

Leinster SFC draw: R1 - Louth v Carlow; Laois v Wexford; Offaly v Wicklow.

QF - LH/CW v Kildare; LS/ WX v Westmeath; Longford v Meath; OY/WW v Dublin.

SF - LS/WX/WH v LH/CW/ KE; OY/WW/DB v LD/MH