Louth to host Armagh in National League opener

Louth will kick-off their National Football League campaign next year with a home tie against Armagh on Sunday February 2^nd.

They will then host Laois a week later on Sunday February 9^th before their first trip of the campaign away to Down on Saturday March 1^st.

They will then face Monaghan away a week later on Sunday March 9^th before hosting Galway on Sunday March 16^th.

The longest trip of the campaign will then see them travel to face 2012 All-Ireland winners Donegal on Sunday March 30^th before the campaign concludes with a home clash against Meath on Sunday April 7^th.

The above schedule is provisional at present but is unlikely to change a great deal. With the possibility that the Down and Monaghan fixtures could be played in Newry and Inniskeen, that could mean that the only real travelling Louth supporters would have to do in 2014 is to Donegal.

Number of suicides in Louth on the rise

Despite suicide levels increasing steadily in Louth, our biggest suicide prevention organisation, SOSAD, still receives no government funding

Louth has been highlighted as an area of suicide concern after a new HSE report showed that the rate of suicides in the county has risen steadily since 2006.

The rate from 2006-2008 was 11.2 per 100,000 of the county’s population. This grew to 11.8 from 2007 to 2009 and the latest figures show it stands at 13.1 for the period 2008-2010.

The data in the report has been aggregated into three year moving averages, providing data for five different time periods in order to allow any potential trends to be identified.

Louth has been pinpointed in the report as an area showing a “steady increase”, along with Kerry, Laois, Offaly, South Tipperary and Westmeath.

The report also found that, relative to the national rate, a high rate of deliberate self-harm was recorded for men living in Louth.

The latest stats show that per 100,000 of population, only Offaly, Kerry, Leitrim, Cork, Laois, Westmeath, Tipperary North and South and Waterford had higher levels of suicides than Louth.

Despite this, the largest suicide prevention organisation in the county – SOSAD – continues to receive no government funding.

Louth GAA was praised in the report – titled the National Office for Suicide Prevention’s Annual Report 2012 – for their efforts in tackling the problem head on through education and openness.

Come on the Wee County

All roads lead to Drogheda this afternoon for Louth’s Leinster Championship quarter-final tie with Wexford.

Everyone is encouraged to come along on the day to support Aidan O’Rourke’s side.

In the opening round the Wee County put Laois to the sword on a 1-16 to 1-6 scoreline, the highlights of which can be viewed above.

Throw-in for this evening’s game is at 3.30pm with Louth looking to avenge a defeat to the Yellow Bellies in the league earlier this year.

This week’s Argus

In this week’s Argus… Red faces at Aiken Barracks as seized fuel truck stolen in daring raid, cutbacks force Simon Community to close Gatehouse night shelter, Harp workers vote on Labour Court recommendations, and a special report on foster care, as well as full coverage of Louth’s victory over Laois in the Leinster Championship. All that and more in this week’s Argus, on sale now.

Louth face holders Cavan in Junior Championship

St Brigid’s Park in Dowdallshill will be the venue for Louth’s Leinster JFC clash with Cavan on Wednesday

The Louth Junior team will kick-start their Leinster Championship campaign with a tricky tie against holders Cavan in Dowdallshill on Wednesday at 7.30pm.

The side will be managed by senior team boss Aidan O’Rourke and will feature players who didn’t make the line-up for Sunday’s win over Laois in the Senior Championship as well as other players who have been on the county team’s radar so far this year.

Meanwhile, Leinster Council has confirmed that Louth will host Wexford in Drogheda on June 9th.

The Leinster SFC quarter-final is down as a home game for the Wee County, who qualified for the last eight by thumping Laois in O’Moore Park on Sunday.

In the past, Louth have seen important ‘home’ matches switched to Navan to accommodate a larger attendance than the limited 3,500 capacity at the O’Raghallaighs would allow.

However, Council chairman Martin Skelly confirms in today’s Irish Daily Star that they will not be asked to compromise this time:

“The bottom line is that this is a home fixture for Louth. They have intimated in the strongest possible way to us that they want to hold the fixture in Drogheda because it means a lot to them.

“We will have to come up with a plan to stage this fixture and we don’t envisage it being moved.”

Not just handy on the field but on the dance floor as well

Louth’s Derek Maguire

With Louth continuing their preparations for Sunday’s Leinster Championship clash with Laois in Portlaoise, the players will be going through their own various routines to get ready for the big match.

Derek Maguire certainly had a unique way of warming up for the game though when he took part in the Strictly Marist event in The Fairways Hotel at the weekend.

Showing he is just as handy on the dance floor as he is on the field, the Belfry Gardens man claimed the prize along with his partner for the night, Mairead Lane.

Louth boss Aidan O’Rourke will surely be hoping that the Dundalk Young Irelands clubman is as handy at waltzing through the Laois defence as he was on the wooden floor of the Fairways.

Louth go down to Wicklow

Members of the Louth team with volunteers from Special Olympics Ireland, for whom the match was played for last night

Louth’s preparations for their Leinster Championship opener with Laois on May 26^th suffered a setback last night when the Wee County went down to Wicklow in Drogheda on a 0-16 to 1-9 scoreline.

Playing against a strong wind in the opening half at the St Nicholas GFC pitch in Rathmullen, Aidan O’Rourke’s side trailed by 0-8 to 0-2 at the break.

The home side attempted a fight back in the second half, with David Reid pulling a goal back but in the end it was Wicklow who came out on top as they dealt with the conditions better than Louth had in the first half.

The Wee County continue their preparations for the championship when they face neighbours Meath in Trim tonight at 7pm.

Previously: Busy weekend coming up for Louth footballers