PREVIEW: Dublin v Louth Leinster Senior Football Championship

Image Courtesy Paul Lundy

Dublin will look to secure a provincial final berth when they meet holders Louth in their eagerly anticipated Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final in Laois Hire O’Moore Park this Saturday evening (7pm).

Louth come into the game in good form, having claimed a commanding quarter-final win over Wexford last Sunday week. 

That 1-25 to 0-11 victory reflected the comfort they enjoyed for the large part and while Sam Mulroy top scored with 1-4, Louth seem far less reliant on their talisman than in previous campaigns. 

In total, ten players contributed on the scoreboard with both Ciaran Keenan and the promising Tadhg McDonnell kicking four points apiece while Conor Early, Conall McCaul and Dara McDonnell chipped in with three scores each. 

Having contested the last two Leinster Under 20 finals, losing last year’s All-Ireland decider to Tyrone, there is a steady stream of talented footballers slowly but surely being introduced to the Louth panel, increasing the options available to team manager Gavin Devlin.

Dublin, meanwhile, have several fitness concerns coming into the game, particularly in attack following injuries suffered to both Con O’Callaghan and Colm Basquel in the Leinster Quarter Final win over Wicklow in Aughrim two weeks ago. 

Given that both Ciarán Kilkenny and Luke Breathnach were marked absent from the matchday panel against Wicklow, the Dubs are potentially heading into Saturday’s clash without half of their recognised forward line.

It’s not all doom and gloom however with Paddy Small’s encouraging form during the National League carried forward into Dublin’s win over Wicklow, with the Ballymun Kickhams forward scoring 1-6 from open play. 

Sean Bugler’s eye for a score is another cause for optimism and if Dublin are to prevail on Saturday night, it’s imperative that they make the most of the two-point opportunities that come their way.

Resources at the back have also been stretched due to long-term injuries to Theo Clancy and Lee Gannon and the sight of Eoin Murchan hobbling off against Wicklow was something the Dublin management could have done without.

The neutral venue should add to the atmosphere for a contest between two well-matched sides that could go right down to the wire.

For those unable to attend, the match will be shown live on GAA+ with their coverage starting at 6.30pm.

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