Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick is expecting a tough test from Meath on Sunday.

The sides renew rivalries for the first time since Meath recorded a resounding victory over the Wee County in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers.

Louth are facing their first competitive outing of the year on Sunday after Kilkenny withdrew from the O'Byrne Cup at the eleventh hour. Meath saw off Wexford in last weekend's first round clash and they will be favourites to win at Navan.

"We played Carlow IT at the start of January and were able to give some of the younger lads a run out and we will train four times this week. We had to step it up this year, we knew that ourselves as we have seven championship like games in the league," Fitzpatrick admitted to the Dundalk Democrat.

"I was at the Meath and Wexford game and Meath had a strong team out and they will be a great test for us. We can only do so much work in the gym as games are a completely different type of training for lads." Tweet

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