Gary Connaughton is hoping Westmeath can end their recent run of losses against Louth when the counties lock horns in the opening round of the Leinster SFC in Navan on Sunday.

This will be the fifth competitive meeting of the sides in less than two years with the Wee County having won all four previous meetings. Louth had two points to spare in the 2010 Leinster SFC semi-final, were victorious in two meetings in last year's National League (including the Division 3 final) and continued their dominance over Westmeath by beating them once again in the first round of this year's National League in Haggardstown.

"I can't remember the last time we beat them," the Lake County captain told this week's Westmeath Topic.

"We've had a poor record against Louth in the last few years and we're definitely due a win against them. Most of the games have been fairly close, and I'd say it will be close again. But it's the first round of the championship and anything can happen.

"We haven't done much in the championship in the last four years, with Wicklow the only we've beaten in Leinster in that time. If we could beat Louth it would be great for the younger lads on the team. It would bring them on a good bit."

While much has been made of Louth's long absentee list in the lead-up to the game, Connaughton fears Westmeath could be just as understrength.

"It's looking like Kieran Gavin is going to be out, Paul Bannon has a foot injury and Denis Glennon hasn't been able to train since Tyrrellspass played Garrycastle in the championship because of a back complaint," he explains.

"On top of that, Dessie (Dolan) is not going to be involved and we probably won't have Darragh Daly at all this year. So the injuries balance each other out. Louth might be missing a few players, but they still have Paddy Keenan - who is one of the top midfielders in the country - and Darren Clarke, and they are two players who will take a lot of stopping." Tweet

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