Fermanagh hurling joint manager Seamus McCusker feels that his side are going to have to produce a big performance if they are make it back to back wins in Allianz NHL Division 3A on Sunday when they take on Louth.
McCusker saw his side make a winning start to their campaign with victory over Tyrone at Brewster Park but he knows they will need to improve if the are to follow it up with a win over the Wee County in Dowdallshill.
“It is going to take a huge effort from the lads on Sunday,” said McCusker. “Louth were in the Nicky Rackard Cup final last year and that is a level above the Lory Meagher Cup final which we were in. They are a very experienced and physical side and we are expecting a totally different type of game from the Tyrone one. We know that we are up against it but it is a game that we are looking forward to.”
Fermanagh will though have gained extra confidence from their victory over the Red Hands last time out although McCusker stresses there are areas they need to do better in.
“That win gave us a good boost to start the league with but we need to cut out our mistakes and cut down on the frees that we gave away against Tyrone. Also we can’t afford to be as wasteful in front of goal, we have to be sharper in front of the posts. I thought though that our second half performance the first day was very pleasing and we need to carry that on into Sunday’s game,” he added.
Fermanagh will be without Barry Smith for the Louth encounter as he has sustained a knee injury while Karl Kehoe is rated as doubtful due to a hamstring problem. However, they will welcome back Shea Curran from suspension while JP McGarry will also be available for selection having missed the Tyrone game. And McCusker has been pleased with the effort that the players have been putting in to date.
“The boys have been working extremely hard and everybody has been doing their bit in training. There are only five games and we know that there are no easy games in this division and that two points won’t keep you up. The home games are important and if we can notch somehting away from home then that will be a bonus,” he concluded.
Allianz NHL Division 3A
Sunday, March 10
1.00pm at Dowdallshill, Dundalk
Louth v Fermanagh
By admin Sun 10th Mar
