Orchard boss McKeegan well aware of Wicklow threat

ARMAGH manager Karl McKeegan says his side know exactly what to expect when they make the long journey to Echelon Park, Aughrim on Sunday for round two of the National Hurling League Division Three.

The Orchard County suffered a first-round loss to the newly promoted side Louth and now face an uphill challenge against a Wicklow side that finished third in the same division last season.

Wicklow are, however, in the same boat as McKeegan’s men as they head into the weekend eyeing up their first points of the campaign. The Leinster side lost out to Roscommon in round one by three points.

“Wicklow are going well and they were playing in the Kehoe Cup and that’s a level above where we’re at, so I have no doubt of what we’re going down to face,” explained the Antrim native.

“A win at home last week would have put us in a better light going down there but now we just have to lift the boys, take the positives from last weekend and try to work on it.

“There was good and bad stuff last week and if we switch off for periods against Wicklow then it could be a long day for us.”

Reflecting on the Louth defeat last Saturday at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, McKeegan can take some positives, having come back from seven down to draw level late on. But Louth pushed on to fire home 1-2 in the closing stages.

McKeegan points to a loss of concentration as a reason his side fell out of the game during the second period.

“When it ends like that it’s hard to take because we worked hard to get back into it,” McKeegan added. “I think we were maybe seven points down and the boys dug in to get us back to all square and the momentum was with us.

“To be fair to Louth, they got the scores and they worked that wee bit harder. That’s what I said to the boys after, no matter what’s happens or what’s going on, you’ve got to work hard.

“Even if you think you’re on top, you’ve still got to work hard. Louth just outworked us in the last few minutes and got the win.”