A week is a long time in politics, it can be too short a time in football as Longford champions Abbeylara enter the Leinster club championship.
Just eight days will have separated Abbeylara’s county final victory and their Leinster championship opener. Time can make a big difference at this stage of the championship.
There is the small matter of the returning party and getting that out your system. While training takes a different approach after the pressure of a county championship run.
While, Abbeylara will have celebrated their first senior championship in 18-years. However, the Abbeylara camp has been repeating Frankie Dolan’s mantra of Leinster next, throughout.
For the Louth outfit, rest isn’t a concern. St. Mary’s Ardee having secured the county title on October 20th after a 2-2 to four point win over Naomh Mairtin.
The low scoring game no doubt due to the impact of storm Ashley, can’t really tell a story of what Abbeylara will face. Goals in either half from Kian Moran and Dáire McConnon secured victory.
In fact, two goals has been the story of Ardee’s campaign. Registering two goals in each of their three knockout stage games. Ardee scoring a total of 6-55 in the championship thus far. 29 points alone landing in two group matches.
This may tell a little about the standard facing the Louth side. In contrast and with more Longford championship game, Abbeylara scored 3-54.
If it goes to plan, this will be slow and tight, just as Dolan’s Abbeylara like it. However, Louth football is on something of a high. Can the county game translate to the club?
