Three changes to Louth side for trip to Armagh

Louth have made three changes to the side which lost out to Tipperary a fortnight ago for Saturday night’s clash with neighbours Armagh in the Athletic Grounds.

Derek Crilly, who hit a second half hat-trick after coming off the bench against the Premier County, comes into the side, as do Conor Grimes and Derek Maguire. Colm Judge, Peter Kirwan and Daniel O’Connor are the players to lose out.

Armagh are currently a point away from securing promotion to Division Two next season while Louth need points to ensure their survival in Division Three.

The team in full is: Neil Gallagher; Kevin Toner, Patrick Reilly, Padraig Rath; Anthony Williams, Dessie Finnegan, James Stewart; Bevan Duffy, Eoin O’Connor; Adrian Reid, Derek Crilly, Declan Byrne; Ryan Burns, Conor Grimes, Derek Maguire.

Louth see off Wexford to record second successive win

Louth made it two wins in-a-row in Division Three with a 1-16 to 1-10 victory over Wexford in Drogheda yesterday.

Following on from their victory over Clare last month, Colin Kelly’s side once again came from behind to run out six point winners in the end.

Having trailed by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, the Wee County went on to hit seven unanswered points midway through the half.

Wexford lost Adrian Flynn to a straight red card midway through that Louth purple patch, but they were right back in it when sub Conor Sinnott fired to the net from close range to make it 0-14 to 1-10.

However, Louth didn’t panic and Colm Judge restored a two-point cushion before substitute Tommy Durnin rounded Anthony Masterson to tap in a decisive goal.

Next up is a trip to face winless Sligo next Sunday.

Louth: N Gallagher; K Toner, P Reilly, P Rath; A Williams (0-1), D Finnegan, D O’Hanlon (0-2); B Duffy, E O’Connor; A Reid, C Judge (0-6, 3f), D Byrne; R Burns (0-3, 2f), C Grimes (0-1), D Maguire (0-1). Subs: R Moore (0-1) for Duffy (21 BC), S O’Hanlon (0-1) for Grimes (46), T Durnin (1-0) for O’Connor (46), J Stewart for D O’Hanlon (57).

Disappointing start to league campaign for Louth

Louth made a disappointing start to their National League Division Three campaign in Enniskillen on Saturday night after losing out to Fermanagh on a 0-16 to 0-7 scoreline.

Either side of a small spell in the first half when Declan Byrne kicked three wonder points, the Wee County were second best all over the park.

Fermanagh’s Seamus Quigley top scored with eight points, all coming from dead balls as Louth ended with barely a whimper as the home side built up a strong lead in the closing stages.

Byrne’s burst brought Louth back to within a point shortly before the break, but the Wee County were missing the presence of midfielder Eoin O’Connor, who was black carded after just 15 minutes.

Fermanagh hit the last four points of the first half as their switch of game-plan to a more direct running style started to pay dividends.

Ryan Jones and Barry Mulrone swung over neat scores and Paul McCusker was fouled for frees which Quigley duly converted.

The second half saw more of the same from Fermanagh as they started to tighten their grip around the middle of the field through the hard work of Eoin Donnelly and Richard O’Callaghan.

Louth never really got going and although Byrne and Colm Judge tried hard, they were never a threat in attack. Indeed it took a brilliant save from Craig Lynch to deny Quigley a goal after another Fermanagh move had cut the Louth defence to ribbons.

Louth boss Colin Kelly will need his players to produce much better if they are to maintain their status in the third tier with a first home fixture against Clare pencilled in for Drogheda this Sunday.

SCORERS – Fermanagh: S Quigley 0-8 (6fs, 2 ’45s’), R Jones 0-3, B Mulrone, R Corrigan 0-2 each, P McCusker 0-1. Louth: D Byrne 0-5 (1f), E O’Connor, R Burns 0-1 each.

FERMANAGH – T Treacy 7, N Cassidy 8, J Allen 6, M O’Brien 8, D McCusker 7, R McCluskey 8, J McMahon 8, E Donnelly 7, R O’Callaghan 7, B Mulrone 7, R Jones 7, P McCusker 9, R Corrigan 7, S Quigley 8, E McManus 6. Subs: T Corrigan 6 for McManus (50), A Breen 6 for McMahon (64), D McQuade 6 for O’Callaghan (68).

LOUTH – N Gallagher 7, K Toner 7, P Reilly 7, D O’Hanlon 7, D Crilly 6, P Rath 6, A Reid 7, B Donnelly 6, E O’Connor, 6 B Duffy 6, C Judge 7, D Byrne 8, R Burns 7, D O’Connor 6, D Maguire 6.

Subs: R Moore 6 for O’Connor (15 BC), C Grimes 7 for Donnelly (h-t), C Lynch 7 for Gallagher (h-t), J Stewart 6 for Reid (42), P Kirwan 6 for Maguire (52), M Jones 6 for Allen (55), T Durnin 6 for O’Connor (60).

Ref – S Hurson (Tyrone)

Louth name side for league opener against Fermanagh

Louth have named their team for Saturday night’s National Football League Division Three opener against Fermanagh in Brewster Park (throw-in 7pm).

Five players – Paddy Reilly, Adrian Reid, Eoin O’Connor, Brian Donnelly and Colm Judge – will all be featuring for the first time this season.

Colin Kelly will be hoping for a first victory since taking over from Aidan O’Rourke when he brings his side to Enniskillen.

The team in full is: Neil Gallagher; Kevin Toner, Patrick Reilly, Darren O’Hanlon; Derek Crilly, Padraig Rath, Adrian Reid; Brian Donnelly, Eoin O’Connor; Bevan Duffy, Colm Judge, Declan Byrne; Ryan Burns, Daniel O’Connor, Derek Maguire.

Meanwhile, The Louth GAA Supporters’ Club are running a bus to Louth’s National Football League Division Three opener against Fermanagh in Brewster Park, Enniskillen on Saturday.

The bus leaves Drogheda at 3.30pm, Dunleer at 3.45pm and from McKeown’s Bar in Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk at 4pm.

For booking contact Brian Matthews on 087 2830308 or Gerry McGee on 087 7500414.

Louth let nine point lead slip as Armagh snatch late draw

Louth debutant Patrick Reilly tussles for possession against Armagh yesterday

Louth let a nine point lead slip against Armagh as they were held to a 0-16 to 1-13 draw by their neighbours in their Division Two league opener in Drogheda yesterday.

Rarely has a draw felt more like a defeat, with Aidan O’Rourke’s side so impressive for long periods before their late slump that allowed Armagh back into contention.

A Stefan Forker goal three minutes from the end threw the Orchard County a major lifeline but ultimately Louth paid the price for trying to see the game out rather than continuing with the game plan that had put them in such a strong position in the first place.

Curious substitutions also didn’t help, with the fear being that this result could come back to haunt them in the long run.

Tony Kernan opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute but the Wee County responded with five points without reply from Brian Donnelly, Declan Byrne (2), Derek Maguire and Colm Judge to open up a four point lead after quarter of an hour.

Ethan Rafferty did manage to add two frees for Armagh soon after but they were cancelled out by further Louth points from Eoin O’Connor and Derek Maguire.

The home side then finished the half the stronger with three of the next four scores, including two from captain Paddy Keenan, to take a 0-10 to 0-4 lead off at the break.

Louth added to their advantage on the restart with four of the opening five points from Donnelly, Keenan and a brace from Judge. That left it 0-14 to 0-5 after 43 minutes and at that point there looked like there would only be one winner.

However, Armagh upped the ante with three scores in as many minutes from Ciaran McKeever, Rory Grugan and Jamie Clarke.

Keenan and Judge did manage to reply to leave eight points separating the sides with just 14 minutes to go.

However, Armagh hit a real purple patch in the closing 10 minutes with two further points from Clarke before Forker found the net in the 67^th minute after Stefan Campbell’s shot was parried into his path by Shane McCoy, leaving him with the simplest of finishes to leave it 0-16 to 1-10.

Kernan then added two frees either side of a point from Campbell to bring the Orchard County level in the third minute of stoppage time. Indeed, they could well have stolen the victory had Oisin McKeever been accurate with his late attempt.

Next up for Louth is a home clash with Laois in Drogheda on Sunday.

Louth: S McCoy; P Rath, D Finnegan, G O’Hare; J O’Brien, P Reilly, L Shevlin; P Keenan (0-4), B Donnelly (0-2, 1f); A Reid, C Judge (0-4, 2f), D Byrne (0-3, 2f); A McDonnell, E O’Connor (0-1), D Maguire (0-2). Subs: K McLaughlin for J O’Brien, 8 mins; C Doyle for D Maguire, 50 mins; S Campbell for D Byrne, 50 mins; J Kermode for E O’Connor, 59 mins; D Clarke for C Judge, 70 mins; C Rafferty for A Reid, 73 mins.

Armagh: P McEvoy; A Mallon, C Vernon, M Murray; M Shields, J Hanratty, R Grugan (0-1); E Rafferty (0-2, 2f), J Lavery; S Campbell (0-3), T Kernan (0-3, 2f), R Tasker; J Clarke (0-3, 1f), P Hughes, K Carragher. Subs: C McKeever (0-1, 45) for J Hanratty, 24 mins; A Forker for P Hughes, 24 mins; S Harold for J Lavery, 31 mins; B Mallon for K Carragher, 44 mins; S Forker (1-0) for R Tasker, 59 mins; O McKeever for A Forker, 66 mins.

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).

Louth panel for 2014 is named

Louth boss Aidan O’Rourke has named his provisional panel for the 2014 season.

Included in the panel are five newcomers – John Kermode of the Newtown Blues, Keith McLaughlin of the Sean O’Mahony’s, Naomh Mairtin’s Stephen Campbell, Cian Doyle of the O’Connells and Patrick Reilly of St Brides.

The full panel is: Neil Gallagher, Shane McCoy, Padraig Rath, Keith McLaughlin, Darren O’Hanlon, Gary Connolly, Liam Shevlin, Dessie Finnegan, Adrian Reid, John O’Brien, Derek Crilly, Gerard Hoey, Patrick Reilly, Conor Rafferty, Paddy Keenan, John Kermode, Andy McDonnell, Bevan Duffy, Brian Donnelly, Gary O’Hare, Brian White, Eoin O’Connor, Stephen Campbell, Kevin Rogers, Cian Doyle, Derek Maguire, Colm Judge, Patrick Sheelan, Darren Clarke and Declan Byrne.

Meanwhile, Louth’s O’Byrne Cup opener with DCU will now take place on Saturday January 4^th at 7.30pm in Haggardstown.

The county’s trip to Donegal in the National League on Sunday March 30^th will also now take place in Ballyshannon, as opposed to Ballybofey.

Newtown Blues are the new Louth senior champions

Newtown Blues’ Stephen Moonan lifts the Joe Ward Cup after his side’s victory over Cooley Kickhams

The Newtown Blues are the Louth senior champions for the 20^th time after beating Cooley Kickhams by 2-15 to 0-13 in yesterday’s County Final in Drogheda to lift the Joe Ward Cup for the first time since 2008.

Cooley, who were aiming for a first senior triumph since 1990, had started the game well by racing into a four point lead but a goal from man of the match Andy McDonnell midway through the first half proved to be the turning point.

That inspired the Blues to kick-on and by half-time they led by 1-5 to 0-5, with unanswered points from Colm Judge, Derek Kierans, Andy McDonnell and John Kermode.

Cooley did manage to level shortly after the restart following three successive points of their own but a Kickhams revival was ended when substitute Conor Brannigan fired home with almost his first touch of the game to leave it 2-5 to 0-8.

That proved the killer blow as the Blues coasted to victory with captain Stephen Moonan going on to collect the cup at the end.

Elsewhere in Louth at the weekend, Kilkerley Emmets secured their senior status for next season with a 1-8 to 0-4 victory over Glyde Rangers that condemns the Tallanstown outfit to the intermediate ranks for next season.

Kilkerley had led by just a point with three minutes remaining but a mistake by Glyde keeper Gerard Carroll, which saw him allow a Ray Mulholland shot creep over the line, sparked a fine finish to the game for the eventual winners as they hit 1-3 without reply.

There were also celebrations for the Geraldines, who won the Louth Minor title by beating St Mary’s by 4-9 to 1-9. The Blackrock and Haggardstown outfit will now be aiming to complete a double when they take on neighbours St Brides in the Intermediate Championship final next weekend.

NEWTOWN BLUES: Conor Barton; Paul Moore, Thomas Costello, Niall Costello; Stephen Moonan, Eoghan Judge, James Murray; Keith Lynch (0-1), Colm Judge (0-3); John Kermode (0-1), Hugh McGinn (0-3), Andy McDonnell (1-3); Derek Kierans (0-1), Barry Sharkey, Robert Carr. Subs: Jamie Carr for Barry Sharkey, Brian Kermode for Thomas Costello (blood sub), Conor Brannigan (1-3) for Robert Carr, Brian Kermode for James Murray.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Neil Gallagher; Richard Brennan, Keith White, Alan Page; Patrick McGrath, Conor McGuinness, Shane Marks; Brian Donnelly (0-2), Conor Rafferty; Aoghan McGuinness (0-1), Brian White (0-4), Darren Marks; Patrick Sheelan (0-3), Sean Donnelly, Ciaran Sheelan (0-1). Subs: Sean McDonald (0-1) for Sean Donnelly, Pj McGivern for Conor Rafferty, Michael Rafferty (0-1) for Darren Marks, Sean O’Neill for Shane Marks.

Kildare end Louth’s All-Ireland campaign

All over – Louth’s summer is over after going down to KIldare

Louth’s All-Ireland campaign came crashing to an end in Newbridge last night after the Wee County went down by 1-19 to 0-15 to Kildare following a late slump.

The Lilywhites trailed by four points on two separate occasions, but influential substitute Tomás O’Connor’s late goal helped the hosts prevail.

Louth led 0-10 to 0-08 ahead at half-time, with Ciaran Byrne scoring four times.

But Kieran McGeeney’s unbeaten record in the qualifiers – he now boasts 15 wins and a draw since 2008 – was preserved by an improved second half from Kildare, that included a purple patch which seen them hit 1-5 without reply in the closing stages.

The home side burst into a 0-03 to 0-00 lead with Paul Cribbin getting into space to nab the opener, Padraig O’Neill booming over from distance and Daniel Flynn set up John Doyle’s first point of the night.

An acutely angled free from Colm Judge opened Louth’s account, the visitors missing the presence of captain Paddy Keenan who went off temporarily after colliding with team-mate Padraig Rath.

Paddy Brophy showed his pace to set up a scoring chance which deflected off a defender and over the crossbar, before a bandaged Keenan cleared the way for Judge to score his first from play.

Louth’s resurgence continued as Brian White popped over a free and a couple of turnovers – with Kildare struggling on their own kickouts – saw O’Rourke’s charges take the lead by the 16th minute.

The excellent Ciaran Byrne kicked two points in quick succession for a 0-05 to 0-04 scoreline and Kildare responded by the 20-minute mark, Conway firing over a free having missed an earlier effort.

As the tempo quickened Shane Lennon got away from Peter Kelly to land a cracking score, and Daryl Flynn followed up with an equally impressive effort at the other end.

Shane Connolly’s quick kick-out tactic worked well for a Doyle point off his weaker foot, while a meaty long range strike from free-taker Conway made it three on the trot for the Lilywhites.

Kildare had a let-off when goalkeeper Connolly did just enough to deny Lennon as Louth pressed for a goal and although White missing the resulting ’45’, a loose kick-out allowed Byrne sent over his third point.

Connolly’s short deliveries gifted the Wee County some easy scores at times, with Louth’s hard work in getting bodies back in defence also frustrating the home side.

Louth increased their wides tally to five but they were back on level terms – 0-08 apiece – when a free was worked in for Judge to split the posts again.

Tomás O’Connor’s introduction was roundly cheered by the home fans, however Louth hit a purple patch in sight of half-time with Byrne and White moving them two points clear.

A poor missed free from Conway brought a frantic first half to a close, the Kildare mood not being helped by some punishing calls from referee Rory Hickey.

O’Connor carried a goal-scoring threat for Kildare, his persistence creating an early opportunity in the second half which was scratched off and Louth soon made it six points in-a-row.

A White free and Lennon’s second of the night sparked some improved play from Kildare, Eoghan O’Flaherty finishing off a quick move from defence to attack. White then scooped over a fine point from a tight angle.

Kildare’s response saw O’Connor cause problems for the Louth rearguard and the breaking ball was flashed over for a point by Niall Kelly.

Suddenly Kildare were beginning to tick. Quick ball in paved the way for Eoghan O’Flaherty’s second and defender Hugh McGrillen broke forward to cut the gap to 0-13 to 0-12.

Ray Finnegan answered back for Louth, but Kelly threatened the Louth goal before substitute Alan Smith mopped up with a point to bring the margin down to the minimum again.

O’Connor provided the assist for Emmet Bolton to burst through and land the levelling point, only for Louth to tee up Byrne’s fifth from play in response.

An inspirational effort from Doyle close to the sideline made it 0-15 each, rewarding the Lilywhites for a strong spell, and the pressure got to both Eoghan O’Flaherty and Lennon as they miscued frees.

Doyle then dug out a pass for substitute Seanie Johnston to shoot Kildare ahead and the Allenwood ace soon flung over a free, with O’Connor growing in influence in terms of winning ball.

The decisive goal arrived shortly afterwards, target man O’Connor doing brilliantly to collect a hopeful delivery in from Smith and he soloed before finishing to the net with Shane McCoy well beaten.

There was no way back for Louth who looked a spent force right at the death, and Kildare rubbed it in with injury-time points from Eoghan O’Flaherty and Doyle – the former’s score being a superb effort off the outside of his right boot.

KILDARE: S Connolly; H McGrillen (0-01), P Kelly, D Hyland; P Cribbin (0-01), M O’Flaherty, E Bolton (0-01); Daryl Flynn (0-01), P O’Neill (0-01); Daniel Flynn, M Conway (0-02, 0-02f), E O’Flaherty (0-03); N Kelly (0-01), P Brophy (0-01), J Doyle (0-05, 0-02f).

Subs used: T O’Connor (1-00) for Cribbin (31 mins), A Smith (0-01) for Conway (43), E Callaghan for Daniel Flynn (45), S Johnston (0-01) for Kelly (57), J Byrne for M O’Flaherty (64).

LOUTH: S McCoy; P Rath, D Finnegan, J Bingham; D Crilly, J O’Brien, A Reid; P Keenan, C Rafferty; D Maguire, B White (0-04, 0-02f), R Finnegan (0-01); C Judge (0-03, 0-01f), S Lennon (0-02), C Byrne (0-05).

Subs used: C Bellew for Rath (5 mins, blood sub), R Carroll for Keenan (5-12, blood sub), Carroll for Rafferty (half-time), G Hoey for R Finnegan (58), K Rogers for Maguire (70).

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)

McCoy drafted in as one of three changes to Louth team for trip to Kildare

Shane McCoy in action for Louth in his last outing for the county against Monaghan in 2005

Louth have made three changes to their side for this Saturday’s trip to Newbridge to face Kildare.

The biggest surprise is the return to the first team of goalkeeper Shane McCoy, who comes in for the suspended Neil Gallagher after he picked up a red card late on in the win over Antrim.

It will be former Roche Emmets ‘keeper McCoy’s first Louth appearance since the 2005 Qualifier defeat to Monaghan. McCoy now plays his club football with Armagh-side Dromintee, where he would have played alongside Wee County boss Aidan O’Rourke.

McCoy was not on the bench for the win over Antrim, with Joe Flanagan of the O Raghallaigh’s stepping between the posts following Gallagher’s late dismissal for verbally abusing an umpire.

Also back in the side are John O’Brien – who returns from suspension – and Ray Finnegan, who impressed on his comeback off the bench against the Saffrons. Cooley pair Conor McGuinness and Brian Donnelly are the players to make way.

Elsewhere, Adrian Reid moves to the half forward line with Brian White now partnering Paddy Keenan in midfield. Colm Rafferty will wear the number 11 jersey with Ciaran Byrne at number 10 and Colm Judge switching to the left corner for a game which pits the respective managers and former Armagh team-mates Aidan McRourke and McGeeney against each other.

Throw-in on Saturday at St Conleth’s Park is 7pm.

Louth v Kildare: S McCoy; P Rath, D Finnegan, J Bingham; J O’Brien, D Crilly, R Finnegan; P Keenan, B White; C Byrne, C Rafferty, A Reid, D Maguire, S Lennon, C Judge.

Louth make two changes for Antrim clash

Louth boss Aidan O’Rourke has made two changes to the side that lost to Wexford in the Leinster Championship quarter-final for Saturday’s Qualifier clash with Antrim in Drogheda.

Both changes were enforced with Conor McGuinness coming in for the suspended John O’Brien in the half back line and Colm Judge coming in for his first start of the season in place of Andy McDonnell, who has departed for America.

Judge will play at corner forward with St Mochta’s Ciaran Byrne dropping into the half forward line.

In what will be a further boost to the Wee County, the experienced duo of Darren Clarke and Ray Finnegan – who have been struggling with injuries all season – are included amongst the substitutes.

The Louth team in full is: Neil Gallagher; Padraig Rath, Dessie Finnegan, John Bingham; Conor McGuinness, Derek Crilly, Adrian Reid; Paddy Keenan, Brian Donnelly; Conor Rafferty, Brian White, Ciaran Byrne; Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, Colm Judge. Subs: Joe Flanagan, Ronan Carroll, Darren Clarke, Gary Connolly, Bevan Duffy, Ray Finnegan, Gerard Hoey, Jim McEneaney, Kevin Rogers, Patrick Sheelan, Paraic Smith.

Throw-in at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday is at 3pm.

Previously: Louth’s Leinster title dreams ended by Wexford