Louth see extended run as time added on

Two months back, as the football league entered the more decisive stages, Louth were on the road south to meet Wicklow. Word was out that a win here would put them in prime position for the Division Two play-offs, and supporters had to be turned away from overcrowded buses.

Come Sunday and they will still be on the move, this time streaming into Croke Park. Louth meet Offaly for the Division Two title and, after securing top status for next year and disposing of Laois in the semi-final, manager Paddy Clarke sees the whole thing as time added on.

"We're still on the go and here we are into May," says Clarke. "It's going to be the shortest ever gap between Louth's league and championship runs, but we've achieved the aim of reaching Division One so, whatever happens on Sunday, it's all a bonus."

The meeting - like the Division One final between Meath and Derry - brings together two teams from the same side of the league. Offaly topped the table having recorded an unbeaten campaign, including an opening win over Louth, and won the title outright two years ago. Fine, says Clarke, let them carry the favourites tag.

"That's fair enough," he says. "We wouldn't expect to be tipped. Offaly have seen it all before in Croke Park and they've always looked like the team to beat throughout this league."

But Louth will be a more potent side than the previous league meeting with Offaly. They had the minimum of preparation for that first game, and started short some of their most experienced players such as Ollie McDonnell. Offaly were 10 points up at one stage in the first half, though Louth ended up losing by just two.

So now Offaly are unbeaten in eight games and Louth in seven. For Clarke, it marks the most memorable run since he took the reins a little under three years ago. With the blend of youth and experience starting to take shape, he finds a buoyant and determined mood throughout the panel.

"What has impressed me most about this team is their ability to go the distance without cracking. That's the main thing. We would build up leads, hold on, and then come back with a second wind. And it's always been a team effort."

Players like JP Rooney and Darren Kirwan - both yet to make their championship appearance - have been mixing with ease in the full forward line with David Reilly. Clarke also takes heart from the championship of two years ago - his first as manager - when they came within a point of beating Meath and landing themselves in a Leinster final.

"You think about that and realise how close we were to getting into the Leinster final, something that hadn't been done since 1960. But this is probably as good now since we've achieved something."

And it's not too soon to look forward to the championship meeting with Kildare on June 11th. "We're there in the shop window for Kildare to see. You never know about the summer but a lot will depend on Sunday. A win there would be great for the confidence, and that will always be a big help."

Helping Sunday's cause will be captain Nicky Malone - able to return from a two-week suspension for a sending-off in the semi-final against Laois as it runs out the night before. "Of course Offaly are no strangers to this level," adds Clarke. "A lot of the players from the winning 1998 side are still there but we're looking forward to good support, and maybe pick up a bit from the Meath as well."