The view from Louth - Top scorer Woods has Leitrim in his sights

While Louth will view Saturday evening’s second round qualifier with Leitrim as a huge opportunity to earn progression, William Woods reckons the Connacht team will feel the same way.

Woods approaches the encounter as the Wee County’s leading scorer this season - with 31 points. His 13-point haul in London saw him surpass Ryan Burns in the marksmanship stakes and it’s form that he’s hoping to reproduce in Carrick.

Having played in a more withdrawn role during the year, to accommodate the inside pairing of Burns and Conor Grimes, Woods, who performed so effectively close to goal in Ruislip, hopes to have earned his place at the head of the Louth attack for this weekend's showdown.

“There is an opportunity for us to win another game and progress, but I’d say Leitrim are thinking the same,” he told The Dundalk Democrat, "They were probably hoping for us in the draw so we just have to put our heads down, work hard, do our analysis on Leitrim and see what way we want to set-up.

“I don’t have to prove myself to Pete anymore. With training, he knows what we’re like. But you have to back yourself when you’re in the full-forward line. It was a lot better playing closer to goal alongside Grimsey. I’d like to be in there and it’s been hard sometimes when I’ve had to come out the field to get the ball. I’m hoping that I’ve done enough to stay in there for the next day. But with Ryan back, and we might have Jim back as well, so, Pete has more options.”

The victory over the Exiles lifted morale in the squad, Woods revealed - “Training was a lot more positive (after the win over London) and everybody seemed to be in good spirits, but it wasn’t as if it was hard to go training (at any stage) because there’s a great bunch of lads there.

“It was tough at times whenever you’re getting slatted in the papers and in the media, but we were closely knit as a group and we just kept training and trying to keep our heads up. We still enjoyed the training.”

Personally, this year has been Woods’ breakthrough on the senior inter-county scene. Having been a prominent scorer in the underage ranks and throughout his club career, the attacker was a key member of the junior side that reached last year’s Leinster final. Woods claimed the junior Player of the Year gong as a result of his efforts. Yet he felt his chance at making the senior grade may have passed, until called up by McGrath.

“Last year was probably my best year with the club so I was thinking that if I didn’t get a call-up this year then the chance would have been gone.

“But the chance came this year and it was hard at the start fitness-wise, but once I got into the team, I got into the team in the first league game against Down and did quite well. After that, it was just about trying to get a win. It’s been a good enough year for myself, being the top-scorer,” he added.