Late McDonagh goal denies Louth first victory of league campaign

Substitute Dalton McDonagh was Meath’s hero as his goal five minutes from time earned the Royal County a hard fought 2-10 to 1-12 victory over already relegated Louth in their Allianz Football League Division Two clash in Drogheda yesterday.

Mick O’Dowd’s side had got off to a dream start against their neighbours with a goal from Brian McMahon after four minutes.

With the wind at their backs though, Louth responded well with three Brian White points helping them to a narrow one point lead at the break.

The Royal County went ahead shortly after the restart and looked to be in control until a 52nd minute penalty from Shane Lennon put the home side back in the driving seat.

At that point it looked as though the Wee County might hold on for the win but up popped McDonagh late on with a crucial goal that earned Meath the bragging rights over their neighbours.

Derek Crilly had opened the scoring inside the opening minute but Meath, who were playing against a strong breeze in the opening half, responded well with a goal on four minutes.

Just moments after David Larkin had fired wide from point blank range, McMahon breezed his way through the Wee County defence before drilling to the bottom left hand corner.

A subsequent point from David Bray a minute later then had the Royals 1-1 to 0-1 to the good and there were fears at that stage that an already relegated Louth could be set for a long afternoon.

To their credit, Aidan O’Rourke’s side upped the ante and were perhaps unlucky not to have a penalty on 10 minutes when White beat goalkeeper Conor McHugh to Paddy Keenan’s sideline kick before appearing to be clipped by the netminder. Referee Barry Cassidy showed no interest in it though, as he waved away the home side’s appeals.

Despite that, Louth responded well with three points in as many minutes from Andy McDonnell, Crilly and White to get themselves back on level terms at 0-4 to 1-1 after 13 minutes.

Stephen Bray and McMahon twice had Meath in front again as the half wore on but on each occasion White pulled his side level, firstly with a 45 and then with a fine score from wide on the right.

Scores late in the half from substitute Cian Doyle and Declan Byrne had the Wee County briefly two points ahead but a Stephen Bray point with the last kick of the half ensured that the visitors went off trailing by just the minimum at the break on a 0-8 to 1-4 scoreline.

Meath kept that momentum going in the second half with Graham Reilly putting them back on level terms within two minutes of the restart before back-to-back scores from Andrew Tormey put them two points ahead by the 40th minute.

Byrne and Reilly then swapped either scores before Crilly’s third point of the afternoon brought the deficit back to the minimum once more on 48 minutes.

Four minutes later Louth were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after Doyle was hauled to the ground inside the square by Seamus Kenny. Lennon stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake with a cool finish to the bottom left hand corner to make it 1-10 to 1-8 in the home side’s favour.

A free from White briefly extended that lead to three but two McMahon frees at the other end had the deficit back to just one once again by the hour mark.

Meath then hit the front with a second goal on 65 minutes. A huge punt forward from full back Kevin Reilly evaded everyone bar the inrushing McDonagh, who rifled past Neil Gallagher to leave it 2-10 to 1-11.

Lennon did manage to reduce the deficit back to the minimum with a minute to go but as has been the case so often in a disappointing campaign, they came up just short as they have now gone through the entire season without a win.

Louth: N Gallagher; P Reilly, P Rath, D O’Hanlon; J O’Brien, M Fanning, A Reid; P Keenan, A McDonnell (0-2); D Byrne (0-2), D Crilly (0-3), B Duffy; B White (0-4, 1f, 45), S Lennon (1-1, 1-0 penalty), K Rogers.

Subs: C Doyle (0-1) for K Rogers 17; J Stewart for B Duffy, 44; L Shevlin for P Reilly, 60; D Clarke for C Doyle, 66.

Meath: C McHugh; D Keogan, K Reilly, C Young; S Kenny, D Tobin, D Carroll; B Menton, S O’Rourke; D Larkin, A Tormey (0-2), G Reilly (0-2); D Bray (0-1), S Bray (0-2), B McMahon (1-3, 3f).

Subs: P Harnan for D Tobin, 50; D McDonagh (1-00) for D Bray, 50; S Gillespie for G Reilly, 61; P Gilsenan for D Larkin, 61; M O’Sullivan for B McMahon 66.

Donegal defeat consigns Louth to relegation

Louth will be playing in Division Three next season after yesterday’s 1-19 to 3-7 defeat to Donegal in Ballyshannon, coupled with Galway’s victory over Armagh, consigned them to relegation.

The game was practically over as a contest in the first-half with the home side leading by 0-13 to 1-1 at the break, with Louth’s goal being poked home by Shane Lennon a minute before the interval.

Further goals from Paddy Keenan and Brian White in the second half did briefly reduce deficit back to three but the 2012 All-Ireland champions never looked in trouble and barely had to get out of second gear as David Walsh’s late goal secured a comfortable win.

Donegal were totally dominant in the middle third in the first half with Christy Toye and Rory Kavanagh scoring four points between them before the break.

Louth lost two players to black cards and took their time to adjust. Full-back Dessie Finnegan was forced off in the fourth minute and full-forward Eoin O’Connor joined him in the 30th minute for hauling down Colm McFadden.

Dermot Molloy, playing on the forty, scored two points from play in the opening half with wing back Anthony Thompson also on the scoresheet as Donegal raced clear.

Louth midfielders Paddy Keenan and Brian Donnelly were much improved in the second half, as they looked to spearhead a revival from the Wee County.
Toye’s third point, a Michael Murphy free and a Colm McFadden point extended Donegal’s lead to 0-16 to 1-2 after 47 minutes.

Louth then enjoyed their best spell of the game, registering an unanswered 2-2 in the space of five minutes.

A brace of points from Brian White was followed by two goals in a minute from Keenan and White, who both drove straight through the middle of the Donegal defence to drill goals past netminder Paul Durcan.

With their cushion cut to three points, substitute David Walsh settled any Donegal nerves with a goal after 56 minutes.

A Lennon free and a point from Bevan Duffy did reduce the deficit to four points again, before Murphy scored his only point from play to complete a convincing win for Donegal, which virtually assures instant promotion for them back to the league’s top tier.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey; Declan Walsh (0-1), L McLoone, A Thompson (0-1); R Kavanagh (0-2), C Toye (0-3); M McHugh, D Molloy (0-2), O McNelis; C McFadden (0-6, 0-3f), Michael Murphy (0-04, 0-3f), P McBrearty. Subs: R McHugh for Lacey (half-time), David Walsh (1-0) for McBrearty (55 mins), L Keaney for Thompson, G McFadden for Kavanagh (both 69).

LOUTH: N Gallagher; P Rath, D Finnegan, J O’Brien; G O’Hare, D Crilly, A Reid; P Keenan (1-0), B Donnelly; P Reilly, B White (1-3, 0-1f), S Campbell; A McDonnell, E O’Connor, S Lennon (1-03, 0-2f). Subs: D O’Hanlon for Finnegan (black card, 4 mins), C Judge for Campbell (21), B Duffy (0-1) for O’Connor (black card, 30), D Brown for Judge (32), D Clarke for Donnelly (63), L Shevlin for Reilly (65).

Referee: Martin Higgins (Fermanagh).

Louth in real relegation trouble after Monaghan defeat

Louth are in very real danger of relegation from Division Two after going down to Monaghan on a 2-14 to 0-12 scoreline in Clones yesterday to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table with just three matches to go.

Just as against Down the previous week, Aidan O’Rourke’s side were slow out of the starting blocks with Gavin Doogan’s sixth minute goal and another from Dermot Malone in the 32^nd minute giving the Farney men a strong foothold.

By contrast, Louth were relying almost exclusively on the accuracy of Brian White to keep them in contention but at 2-8 to 0-6 at half-time, the Wee County were always facing an uphill struggle.

A hard task became almost impossible when Dessie Finnegan was sent-off three minutes after the restart and although the gap never really widened after that, Monaghan always looked comfortable.

On Sunday Louth host Galway in Drogheda, badly needing a result to turn around a season which has so far yielded just one point – a draw on the opening day against Armagh.

Monaghan: R Beggan 0-1 (1f); R Wylie, D Wylie, F Kelly; C Walshe, D Mone (0-1), P Keenan; G Doogan (1-1), E Lennon; K Hughes, V Corey, P Donaghy; D Malone (1-0), J McCarron (0-3, 2f), C McManus (0-7, 4f). Subs: S Carey for D Wylie, C McGuinness (0-1) for P Donaghy, K Duffy for P Keenan, S Gollogly for D Malone.

Louth: N Gallagher; P Rath, D Finnegan, G O’Hare; J O’Brien, D Crilly (0-1), K McLoughlin; P Keenan (0-1), B Duffy; A Reid, C Judge (0-4, 2f), B White (0-5 2f, 1 ’45); A McDonnell, E O’Connor, D Maguire. Subs: P Reilly for B Duffy, S Campbell for A McDonnell, G Hoey for K Mcloughlin, D Byrne for J O’Brien, K Rogers 0-1 (f) for C judge, B Donnelly for E O’Connor.

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).

Louth’s survival hopes hit by hammering against Down

Down’s Ryan Mallon tussles with Louth’s Bevan Duffy, Colm Judge and Paddy Keenan.

Louth’s National League survival hopes suffered a huge blow on Saturday night after they were hammered 4-16 to 0-9 away to neighbours Down in Newry.

The Mourne County hit 1-8 before Darren Clarke registered Louth’s first point in the 23rd minute.

Donal O’Hare managed 1-8 himself in the first period as Down led 1-11 to 0-2 at the interval on a wet night in Newry.

Benny Coulter fired two goals after his final-quarter introduction with Conor Maginn also netting late in the game.

An awful night for Aidan O’Rourke’s side was completed by substitute Brian White’s late sending off after he had picked up his second yellow card.

After drawing their opener against Armagh and losing narrowly against Laois, Louth would have been expected to have been competitive at Pairc Esler.

However, they showed little appetite for the battle early on as two Niall Madine efforts and three O’Hare efforts had Down five points up by the 12th minute.

The one-way traffic continued as Madine unselfishly set up O’Hare’s goal to put Down 1-7 to 0-0 ahead.

O’Hare added another point before Clarke replied with two frees for Louth.

Despite Clarke’s two points, he was then withdrawn by O’Rourke as part of a double substitution which saw White and Derek Crilly being introduced.

The game was over as a contest by the interval as Down pushed their lead on to 1-11 to 0-2.

Not surprisingly, Down’s performance did dip somewhat in the third quarter as Louth actually outscored the Mournemen 0-6 to 0-4 in a 20-minute period.

However, the introduction of Coulter saw Down lift their game again as he pilfered two goals, helped by good work by Jerome Johnston and the impressive playmaker Mark Poland.

Coulter then turned provider for Maginn’s late goal after White’s sending off.

Late Watson double sees Dublin sink Louth in O’Byrne Cup

Dessie Finnegan beats Kevin McManamon to the ball in Parnell Park last night

Louth suffered their second defeat of the year after going down to Dublin by 2-6 to 0-8 in the O’Byrne Cup last night.

Daniel Watson was the hero for the home side after he came off the bench to score 2-1 late on to turn the game.

Up until then, Aidan O’Rourke’s side had led for much of the game in what was a low-scoring affair, played in difficult conditions.

The first score didn’t arrive until the 15^th minute when Jason Whelan got the All-Ireland champions up and running.

With wides aplenty at either end, Brian White finally leveled matters with a free in the 26^th minute before a long range effort from Derek Crilly and a fisted effort from Liam Shevlin game gave the visitors a 0-3 to 0-1 lead at the break.

White extended Louth’s advantage to three points a minute after the restart and despite Shane Martin replying for Dublin, White responded with his third point of the game in the 49^th minute to leave it 0-5 to 0-2.

A quick brace from Paul Hudson then cut the deficit back to one before the introduction of Watson turned the game as he scored a goal and a point in quick succession.

The Wee County did manage to reply with three points in-a-row from Crilly, Declan Byrne and Stephem Campbell but a second goal from Watson four minutes from time ensured that it was the Dubs who took the win.

Louth’s final O’Byrne Cup outing is at home to Westmeath in Drogheda on Sunday.

DUBLIN: S Currie; D Nelson, S George, M Fitzsimons; C Guckian, B Cullen, K Nolan; D O’Mahony, S Carthy (0-1); C Walsh, P McMahon, J Whelan (0-1); P Hudson (0-3, 0-1 free), K McManamon, G Sweeney. Subs: J Cooper for Nolan (h-t); E Fanning for Guckian, N McGovern for Walsh (both 47 mins); D Watson (2-1) for Sweeney (53 mins); Cian Mullins for Cullen (64 mins). Black card: L Fletcher for Nelson (deliberate haul down).

LOUTH: S McCoy; P Rath, D Finnegan, K McLaughlin; D Crilly (0-2, 45), G Connolly, D O’Hanlon; P Keenan, R Brodigan; D Byrne (0-1), B White (0-3, one free), B Duffy; L Shevlin (0-1), K Rogers, S Campbell (0-1). Subs: D Maguire for O’Hanlon (h-t); C Doyle for Rogers, P Sheelan for Brodigan (both 47 mins); D O’Connell for White (59 mins).

Referee: F Kelly (Longford).

 

Louth to appeal White’s red card

Aidan O’Rourke

Louth will appeal Brian White’s sending off from last Saturday night’s O’Byrne Cup defeat to DCU in Haggardstown.

The Cooley Kickhams man had only just been booked when he was shown a black card and a subsequent red card in the 52nd minute for what referee Gary McCormack deemed to be an obstruction on DCU defender Pete Dooney.

However, those in attendance were all in agreement that it was actually team-mate Dessie Finnegan who committed the offence, leaving Wee County manager Aidan O’Rourke perplexed afterwards.

“We’re looking to get that reversed because while there is no suspension, there is a toting up process here,” O’Rourke told The Irish Independent.

“I understand the referee is doing his best with it.

“I remonstrated with him at the time, as did the linesman. But if that happened in a crucial league game you would be apoplectic.”

O’Rourke, whose side take on Dublin in Parnell Park tomorrow night, has not hidden his feelings that he is not a fan of the black card rules.

Disappointing start to the year for Louth as they go down to DCU

Louth made a disappointing start to 2014 at Haggardstown last night after going down to DCU on a 1-15 to 0-8 scoreline.

Aidan O’Rourke’s injury-hit side had an experimental feel to it and they got off to the worst possible start when Conor McGreanor fired to the net inside the opening two minutes to put the visitors in the ascendancy.

Louth briefly rallied with points from debutant Stephen Campbell, a 45 from Brian White and a point from Kevin Rogers to close the gap back to the minimum on 15 minutes.

However, four McGreanor points in-a-row followed by another from St Patrick’s clubman Eoin O’Connor ensured that Dr Niall Moyna’s men pulled away from their opponents once again.

White, Rogers and captain Paddy Keenan did manage to respond with points for the Wee County to close the gap back to three with a half an hour gone but two further McGreanor points ensured that the students led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break.

Further points from Keenan and White had just a goal separating the sides once more within five minutes of the restart. However, a brace of points from substitute Conor McHugh and another from fellow replacement Gary Kelly gave DCU breathing space before referee Gary McCormack took centre stage.

Richard Brennan became the first player in the country to be black carded for a late challenge on Kelly as he scored.

Then two minutes later White also saw black just seconds after pickig up a yellow card, meaning he was sent off. Disappointingly, the foul that saw White dismissed was actually committed by Dessie Finnegan meaning Louth were harshly reduced to 14 men.

The game petered out after that with McHugh and Kelly adding to their personal tallies as DCU coasted to victory.

Louth now travel to Parnell Park on Wednesday to face Dublin.

Louth: S McCoy; K Leneghan, P Rath, K McLaughlin; G Connolly, D Crilly, L Shevlin; P Keenan (0-3), D Finnegan; D Byrne, B White (0-3), P Sheelan; C Doyle, K Rogers (0-2), S Campbell (0-1). Subs: B Duffy for K Lenaghan, 27 mins; R Brennan for L Shevlin, 34 mins; D O’Connell for P Sheelan, 45 mins; J Stewart for R Brennan, 50 mins (black card); D Campbell for G Connolly, 54 mins; W Woods for D Byrne, 67 mins.

Louth suffer another setback after losing out to Meath

Meath’s Andy Tormey is challenged by Louth’s Conor Rafferty during the senior football challenge at St Lomans Park, Trim

Louth’s preparations for their forthcoming Leinster Championship clash with Laois on Sunday May 26^th suffered yet another setback on Sunday when they went down to neighbours Meath on a 1-13 to 1-10 scoreline in St Loman’s Park in Trim.

Just 24 hours after a defeat to Wicklow, the Wee County trailed by 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

Aidan O’Rourke’s men did manage to go in front when Derek Maguire fisted to the net shortly after the restart but a period midway through the first half in which they conceded 1-4 without reply proved their undoing, with late points from Patrick Sheelan, Ronan Carroll and Brian White only managing to put a brighter look on the scoreline.

The Louth team and scorers was as follows: Neil Gallagher, Padraig Rath, Dessie Finnegan, Gary O’Hare, Liam Shevlin, Derek Crilly (0-1), Adrian Reid (0-1), Paddy Keenan, Conor Rafferty (0-1), Padraig Smith, Colm Judge, David Reid (0-1), Brian White (0-1), Cathal Bellew, Derek Maguire (1-2)
Subs used: Eoin O’Connor, Mick Fanning, Kevin Rogers, Gary Connolly, Joe Flanagan, Patrick Sheelan (0-1), Ronan Carroll (0-2).

Previously: Louth go down to Wicklow