Juniors and U20s in action

LOUTH juniors start their 2018 campaign at home to Kildare tonight (Tuesday), where a win would seal a Leinster final date.

Numbers in the junior grade have been dwindling badly over the last few years and only five teams took to the start line this summer.

Louth received a bye into the last four and will meet the Lilywhites following their win over Wicklow.

A rule change ahead of last year’s competition saw Louth being forced to select a side from only intermediate and junior clubs, whereas previously the competiton had been used by senior managers as a development squad.

Meath meet Longford in the other semi-final after the midlanders received a quarter-final walkover from Cavan, who opted to withdraw from the competition.

Louth’s clash with Kildare throws in at 7pm in Drogheda.

UNDER-20

WAYNE Kierans’ under-20s will be bidding to resurrect their season in a make-or-break clash with Offaly in Tullamore on Saturday.

After a shock two-point defeat to Carlow last time out, Louth’s destint is still in their own hands.

A win for the Reds would leave all three teams in the group on two points, but after defeating Carlow by 12 points, Offaly are now through to the last eight as their score difference cannot be bettered by Carlow.

That means a win over the Faithful County would also send Louth through on score difference from Carlow, who are still on a -10 score difference.