Willie Quinlan will lead his charges into Championship battle tonight as Carlow take on Louth in Darver Centre of Excellence at 7.30pm. With blustery, cold and wet conditions promised for the game it will be the team that can adapt and find their Championship feet the quickest that will emerge victorious. This competition is a traditionalist’s heaven in that ‘win and in’ or lose and it’s all over for another year. This added incentive should spur Carlow on and with Longford or Wicklow awaiting the winners of tonight’s clash in 7 days time there will be little time for reflection.

Quinlan is quietly confident that his side can put in a very positive showing against a Louth side, who by all accounts are a dangerous outfit. Carlow are no slouches themselves and with seasoned Club performers such as Graham Power, Conor Fenlon and John Dwyer to name but a few, there is reason to hope. Ronan O’Brien and Chris Blake will carry a major scoring threat and ably supported by the likes of Tomás Kenny they will cause problems if given the nod. The strength of Dónal Hickey and Mark Furey should add steel to the defence if chosen and steel will be needed as tonight promises to a real test of Carlow’s character.

A great effort has been put in over the past few months and all members of the management team are reportedly very happy with how the team is shaping up for a tilt at the U.21 Championship which starts tonight in the home ground the of Louth Centre of Excellence. Ceatharlach abú