The great appear great because we are on our knees.

The immortal words of the great Jim Larkin.

No more appropriate words could apply to our small county as we face into the Leinster Championship.

And if we want to take inspiration from a County of similar background we need look no further than the Wee County, Louth.

It's time for Carlow to throw caution to the wind, play with abandon, with total belief and total commitment. We're playing Louth not Kerry or Tyrone and we have nothing to be afraid of.

Certainly we can learn from plucky Louth who were denied a Leinster Championship last year but we should have no reason to fear them. None whatsoever. Respect them certainly but this is a game we should be licking our lips with anticipation.

Last time we met them in Parnell Park in 2009 it finished 1-13 to 1-11 and we all know that Carlow finished that game with fourteen men. Thats only 2 years ago...

This time the game moves to Portlaoise, possibly a slight advantage to Carlow.

Stop Paddy Keenan in midfield and we could well stop Louth. Simple as. 

Yes they have a good forward line but there are big question marks over their defence where Ray Finnegan and Aaron Hoey would be seen as their main men.

If we can cut out the supply to their forwards theirs every chance we can claim an important win. 

Shane Lennon, Derek Maguire, Ronan Carroll, JP Rooney and possibly young Colm Judge carry a strong scoring threat but there's not much scoring done if you don't have the ball!

Reports are that Carlow's preparations have been excellent and if so we can expect an almighty battle on Sunday. 

It's a toss up between Trevor Reilly and James Clarke for the goal - both men on top of their game.

Corner back positions look to be between Benny Kavanagh, Tony Bolger, Aidan Murphy, Padraig Murphy. All playing well. Tough calls there.

New recruit Conor Lawler brings size and athleticism and is laying claim to the no 3 jersey. The Pal man has impressed since his introduction to the panel. 

Tinryland's Shane Redmond is highly rated in UCD where he is a regular on the Sigerson team; saw him mark Mayo's Alan Dillon out of the semi final of that competition.

Paul Cashin is possibly the most experienced player in the panel at this stage and offers great pace and attacking flair on the wing.

Kieran Nolan of the Fighting Cocks has huge third level experience too - he spent a few years with UUJ Belfast under Adrian McGuckin and Mickey Moran and knows full well that Carlow footballers are no different than Ulster ones. Missed a good bit of the league with injury.

Alan Curran has recovered well from a head injury to make a Lazarus like recovery; he will be pushing hard for inclusion too. Another Club mate of his Paul McElligott will also be strongly in contention; very impressive in the U21 grade over the past two years.

No matter what selection, it's a back line with serious pace along the wings and size and strength in the centre.

The match will no doubt hinge on the midfield battle.

Carlow simply have to get on top here. In Brendan Murphy Carlow have potentially the antidote to Paddy Keenan. The Rathvilly man has size, mobility, good hands, pace to burn, a massive kick (sometimes too ambitious) and on his day a match for anyone in the country. Darragh Foley of Kilbride has been a regular partner for Murphy, another fine fielder, excellent score taker from play and frees. A pretty good partnership I'd say.

Dempsey's ploy of playing Sean Gannon at full forward has shown promise; the rangy Gannon is a handful for any full back with his athleticism and ball winning ability - his ability to move off the square and create room for Daniel St Ledger could be crucial to Carlow's attacking success.

With possibly Thomas Walshe at centre forward, flanked by Patrick Hickey and Ed Finnegan and probably Brian Murphy the final part of the sextet this is a big Carlow forward line that can cause the Louth backs lots of problems.

Walshe has the potential to go through any back line with his strong running, Hickey is a naturally gifted two footed forward who has added great physical strength to his game in recent years.

Ed Finnegan's role is very underrated for both Club and County. He works his socks off, handles a huge amount of ball and is very much a creator or provider to the other forwards.

Brian Murphy has suffered horrendous injuries in a short career; at full fitness he is lethal.

And there are other strong possibilities too - Cormac Mullins has pace to burn and a real eye for goal but he is just back after a lengthy injury. His club mate Eoghan Ruth is another big man option in the forward line, good fielder and a fierce competitor.

A man returning to form too is Old Leighlin's Willie Minchin. Big and strong he has suffered the heartbreak of injury more often than most. A great ball winner if needed.

Lets get up off our knees and end the misery of annual defeat.