Louth still await first victory under Kelly after Carlow defeat

Colin Kelly is still waiting on his first victory as Louth manager after his side went down by 3-8 to 1-12 to Carlow in the O’Byrne Cup in Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Despite the close nature of the scoreline, Turlough O’Brien’s hosts were never headed having hit the net inside the opening minute when full forward Hughie Gahan got the final touch to a long ball from midfielder Darragh Foley.

Louth fought their way back into strong contention but were hit by a second goal for the Barrowsiders from midfielder Seán Gannon in the 27th minute as Carlow assumed a 2-3 to 0-6 interval lead.

A brace of Paul Broderick points and another from Seán Gannon eased home worries but Louth finished on the front foot and came within two points of their opponents, thanks in the main to a goal from substitute Sean McCann, before time ran out on them.

Louth: C Lynch; K Toner, D Crilly, D O’Hanlon; A Williams, P Rath, D Finnegan; D Byrne (0-2), R Brodigan; B Duffy, D O’Connor (0-3), T Durnin (0-1); R Burns (0-1), H McGinn, R Holcroft (0-3). Subs: R Moore (0-2) for McGinn (24); P Nixon for Brodigan (30); D McComish for Finnegan (43); S McCann (1-0) for Durnin (50); R Quigley for Holdcroft (55).

Dundalk Schools claim extra-time victory over Carlow

The Dundalk Schools side who beat Carlow Schools in Dr Cullen Park today. Picture credit: Louth GAA

Dundalk Schools enjoyed a superb 0-16 to 1-9 extra-time victory over Carlow Schools in the first round of the Leinster Post Primary Schools A Championship in Dr Cullen Park this afternoon.

Two points from Tadgh McEneaney following a Colin O’Connor opener had the visitors going off level at the break on a scoreline of 0-3 apiece.

Stephen Coleman then briefly put Dundalk in front on the restart before a Carlow goal on 32 minutes put the home side in the driving seat.

Within four minutes Dundalk were back on level terms. McEneaney then traded points with his opposite number before the home side surged two points clear in the 53^rd minute with two points in as many minutes.

A point from McEneaney left just the minimum between the sides with just a minute left, however, before the same player leveled matters in the third minute of stoppage time to take the game to extra time at 0-9 to 1-6.

First blood on the restart went to Carlow but after McEneaney leveled once more, Kevin Carr fired over to put Dundalk back in front.

Evan Quigley then doubled that advantage before Carlow replied to leave just a point separating the sides at half-time of extra-time on a 0-12 to 1-8 scoreline.

It was largely one way traffic in the second half as O’Connor tagged on two further points either side of a Sean Marry point before Carlow raised their first, and only, flag of the half.

Dundalk were to have the last say, however, when the excellent O’Connor fired over to claim a fine win.