ANOTHER tricky Division 2A National Football League encounter awaits Limerick when they travel to face Louth at Pairc Mhúire, Ardee, on Sunday (throw in 2pm).
Both teams are pointless from their two matches, with Limerick losing out to Derry and Dublin, while Louth have lost narrowly against Clare and Derry.
In terms of relevance, Limerick were soundly beaten in Derry, whereas Louth were just three points adrift at home to the Oak Leaf County.
Limerick and Louth also met in last season’s Division Three Final at Croke Park, with the latter coming through 1-14 to 0-12.
Josh Ryan, who scored three cracking points that evening, is an unfortunate absentee through injury this time around for Limerick.
This trip north-eastwards at the weekend is one which Treaty boss Ray Dempsey would have targeted early-on for precious league points, but little will be gained easily against a team under the tutelage of Tyrone legend Mickey Harte.
Limerick showed a marked improvement on their opening round display against Dublin at the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday week – an outing in which both Bourke brothers Hugh (who grabbed 1-1 off the bench) and Robbie returned to competitive action. The pair are likely contenders for starting berths in a few days’ time.
James Naughton, Cian Sheehan, and Adrian Enright are others Limerick will look to for valuable scores against the Wee County.
The travelling side have will have familiarity about them through goalkeeper Donal O’Sullivan, Seán O’Dea, Brian Fanning, Mike Donovan, and Iain Corbett.
Key players from Louth are likely to be Tom Jackson, Conor Grimes, Sam Mulroy, and Niall Sharkey.
After next weekend, Limerick still have to achieve something in their remaining fixtures against Cork (away), Meath (home), Kildare (home), and Clare, which will possibly be a key tie at Cusack Park, Ennis on March 26.
In the Ladies National Football League (Division Four), Limerick host table toppers Leitrim next weekend.
On Sunday, goals from Anna O’Dea (Oola), Claire O’Meara (Mungret/St Paul’s), and Cathy Mee (Ballylanders) helped Graham Shine’s Limerick to an easy away win over Wicklow in Baltinglass.
