Manager relishing date with his native Armagh
LOUTH Hurling manager Paul McCormack very much cut the figure of a relieved man in the aftermath of Louth’s first League victory of the season over Lancashire on Saturday afternoon in Abbotstown.
‘Really Important to get two points on the board,’ he exhaled.
The capture of the two points didn’t mask the manager’s disappointment in his sides overall performance, however.
‘We were comfortable for long periods, but old habits die hard,’ McCormack said.
‘We took our eye off the ball and let them in for a few soft frees, but the boys coped well there in adversity at the end of the second half against the breeze.’
McCormack cited Darren Geoghegan, Louth’s top scorer on the day for special mention, and the county manager feels the Naomh Moninne attacker has plenty more to offer.
‘Delighted with his goal, but he knows there’s improvement to be made,’ he stated.
‘He’s not with us enough because he’s in Waterford IT for college, but he’s getting plenty of game time down there.’
‘Darren’s a good player, but he still has a lot to go, he’s playing National League level for the first time and he’s done well, but I’m still challenging him.
‘He needs to improve various aspects of his game, but he’s doing that.’
Louth face Armagh this Sunday and manager McCormack will know his native county well, but he is firmly sticking his colours to the Wee County mast and relishing the derby date.
‘I’m sure that will be interesting,’ he smirked. ‘I’ll know a lot of the players obviously. It is going to be another test because I have to separate myself from that, I’m a proud Armagh man, yes, but at the minute I’m for the Louth hurlers and managing them and I want to see them do well, so yes we’ll be preparing as best we can.’