JUST SIX DAYS after Louth were outgunned by Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final, they’ll hit the road to take on Derry in the qualifiers.
The Wee County face the unenviable task of travelling to Owenbeg for Saturday’s game, less than a week after losing by 0-20 to 1-13 to their neighbours.
It was hoped the split qualifier system would dramatically reduce the occurrence of such quick turnarounds for counties exiting the provincial championships.
Louth boss Colin Kelly made his feelings clear after the game.
“The six-day turnaround is crazy,” he told RTE. ”You’re after playing 70 minutes of tough, competitive, championship. You have to deal with the emotions of getting beaten, so it’s not a happy dressing-room as it is.
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“It takes a few days to get over that.”
After beating Carlow in the first-round of Leinster, Louth’s interests in the championship could well be over in the space of a week.
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
The dreaded six-day turnaround has a long list of victims. It is demanding on both mind and body — as Kelly is well aware.
“The physical exertion of having to play for 70 minutes in the heat, and then try to regroup and travel to Derry in six days’ time, it’s absolutely crazy.
“But the powers that be make these decisions and who are we to question them. We’ll just try to go about our business.
“One thing I can guarantee is that whatever Louth team goes out next weekend will try as hard as they can.”
Louth forward Jim McEneaney was another one to voice his criticism on Sunday.
Disappointing loss today. Six day turnaround after 8 months training is nothing short of a disgrace. Best of luck to Meath. @RTEgaa#GAA
Manager Colin Kelly laments Louth's 'absolutely crazy' six-day turnaround
JUST SIX DAYS after Louth were outgunned by Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final, they’ll hit the road to take on Derry in the qualifiers.
The Wee County face the unenviable task of travelling to Owenbeg for Saturday’s game, less than a week after losing by 0-20 to 1-13 to their neighbours.
It was hoped the split qualifier system would dramatically reduce the occurrence of such quick turnarounds for counties exiting the provincial championships.
Louth boss Colin Kelly made his feelings clear after the game.
“The six-day turnaround is crazy,” he told RTE. ”You’re after playing 70 minutes of tough, competitive, championship. You have to deal with the emotions of getting beaten, so it’s not a happy dressing-room as it is.
“It takes a few days to get over that.”
After beating Carlow in the first-round of Leinster, Louth’s interests in the championship could well be over in the space of a week.
The dreaded six-day turnaround has a long list of victims. It is demanding on both mind and body — as Kelly is well aware.
“The physical exertion of having to play for 70 minutes in the heat, and then try to regroup and travel to Derry in six days’ time, it’s absolutely crazy.
“But the powers that be make these decisions and who are we to question them. We’ll just try to go about our business.
“One thing I can guarantee is that whatever Louth team goes out next weekend will try as hard as they can.”
Louth forward Jim McEneaney was another one to voice his criticism on Sunday.
Louth’s opponents Derry exited the Ulster championship after losing to Tyrone on 22 May, giving them a month to prepare for this tie.
Saturday’s first round qualifier at Celtic Park throws-in at 5pm.
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GAA qualifier route Qualifiers Louth Meath