Louth's Conor Grimes: We're not delusional but we can compete with Kerry

Louth's Conor Grimes says they are not "delusional" ahead of their final round robin game against Kerry but is confident the side can compete with the All-Ireland champions.

Following narrow losses against both Cork and Mayo, Mickey Harte's side enter their final Group 1 game with a slim puncher's chance of survival.

With the season on the line, they need to win in Portlaoise this weekend, an outcome which would potentially have the added effect of eliminating the defending champions in the process.

While the notion of Kerry being eliminated prior to the knockout is not considered a tenable one, Louth wing-forward Grimes says their illustrious manager has no interest in approaching games just to compete.

"We believe if we bring the best version of ourselves, we can be competitive," Grimes told RTÉ Sport.

"But at the same time we're not delusional. We know the challenge that's at hand.

"It's not in Mickey Harte's nature to just go and compete and be happy with a performance. He's a winner. That's what he's instilled in his teams over the years."It's a results business. After two games, we're bottom of the table with no points. That's the way we're looking at it.

"It means the world to us, to get this exposure. For the supporters in the county, we want to give them more big days out. The only way to do that is to get a result on Sunday.

"But we're not delusional. They've some of the best players in the country. Probably some of the best players to ever play the game.

"But we're going to be confident in our preparation and the way we set up and what we're about."

Louth's impressive 2023 campaign, comprising of a push for promotion in Division 2 and a run to the provincial decider, had been soured by their limp Leinster final showing,