DOWN ON THE RISE

But Louth a stiff East Coast derby test

- By KARL O'KANE

'EAST Coast Football' was one of the more bizarre quotes of recent times.

It really meant Dublin when Jim Gavin coined it, but with the rise of Louth — and Meath on a roll — it seems more apt now.

Could Down be the next 'East Coast' county to make their mark as they face Louth at Páirc Esler on Saturday evening in a crucial Round 2 All-Ireland encounter?

Astonishingly, it will be the first ever Championship meeting of the sides who share a border along the M1 motorway.

Carlingford Lough splits the counties. The popular tourist village is the Dundalk/Newry Riviera, a weekend and summer playground for locals on both sides of the border.

Down are the historical power here, and carried the Sam Maguire through Louth five times on their way home from Croke Park, but the playing field has levelled off.

In this year's Division 2 campaign, they both finished on six points with Louth surviving thanks to a final round win over Meath.

In the group stages, Louth edged Down out by 2-17 to 0-22 at Ardee.

But, in the meantime, Ger Brennan's reds landed a first Leinster senior title since 1957, and the Wee County are riding the crest of a wave at underage level.