Louth secure Division 3A status despite Donegal defeat

Louth completed their National Hurling League Division 3A campaign with a 2-15 to 1-15 defeat at home to Donegal on Sunday.

The result means that last week’s win was the only one recorded by the Wee County in the 2014 league season but despite yesterday’s defeat they can take a number of positives from the game.

Despite the setback of defeat, Dee McCarthy’s side performed well and have secured their place in Division 3A again for next season.

Donegal began the on the front foot and edged ahead thanks to an early goal from Paddy Hannigan in the ninth minute. However, Louth got back into contention with a Diarmuid Murphy goal and his side built on that strike to go in at the break leading by 1-7 to 1-5.

A response was expected from the visitors in the second half and they added a second goal to regain the lead through Enda McDermott.

Once again the Wee County fought their way back and twice got on level terms. However, they were unable to get ahead and it was Donegal who finished the stronger and late scores saw them complete the win.

LOUTH: James Connolly; Paddy McCormack, Conor Kerrigan, Andy McCrave; Cathal Ryan, Cian Hayes, Ronan Byrne; Shane Callan 0-2, Jason Condon 0-1; Gary Rellis 0-1, David Kettle, Darren O’Hanrahan 0-2; Gerard Smyth 0-1, Diarmuid Murphy 1-7, David O’Mahony 0-1. Subs: Shane Maguire for G Smythm, Oisin Drumm for G Rellis, Ian Kelleher for D O’Hanrahan.

Hurlers finally off the mark with victory over Longford

Louth moved off the foot of the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A thanks to a 3-11 to 1-10 win over Longford on Sunday afternoon.

The game at Darver represented Dee McCarthy’s first league win as manager and keeps alive the Wee County’s hopes of avoiding the relegation play-off.

It may not have been Louth’s best performance of the campaign, but they weren’t found wanting when it came to hunger and determination. Having built up a nine point lead at the break the home side rarely looked in trouble in the second period.

Despite playing against the wind, Louth got off to a great start with three goals in the early stages from Shane Callan, Gerard Smyth and David O’Mahony. Although Longford came back into it, McCarthy’s side went in at the break leading by 3-6 to 0-6.

The visitors fought hard to get back into the game in the second half and hit the net in the third quarter. However, each time Longford threatened, Louth responded with a score to preserve their healthy advantage and in the end they ran out deserving winners.

The results sees Louth join Longford on two points but the Wee County move off the bottom on score difference and they will be hoping to claim a second win when they host Donegal on Sunday next.

LOUTH: James Connolly; Andrew McCrave, Brian Carter, Conor Kerrigan; Cathal Ryan, Cian Hayes, Ronan Byrne; Shane Callan 1-2, Jason Condon 0-1; Andrew Mackin, Gary Rellis, Gerard Smyth 1-0; David O’Mahony 1-1, Diarmuid Murphy 0-6, Darren O’Hanrahan 0-1. Subs: Oisin Drumm for G Rellis, Shane Maguire for A McCrave.

Louth make three changes for Galway clash

Louth have made three changes to their side for Sunday’s crunch National League Division Two clash with Galway in Drogheda.

Coming into the side following the defeat to Monaghan last weekend are Brian Donnelly, Patrick Reilly and Stephen Campbell, who will be making his first league start against the Tribesmen.

The three players who are losing out are defenders Keith McLaughlin and Gary O’Hare, as well as midfielder Bevan Duffy.

Louth are in desperate need of a repeat of their performance against Galway last year as they battle to avoid the drop having taken just one point – a draw against Armagh – from their four outings to date.

The team in full is: Neil Gallagher; Padraig Rath, Dessie Finnegan, John O’Brien; Patrick Reilly, Derek Crilly, Adrian Reid; Paddy Keenan, Brian Donnelly; Colm Judge, Brian White, Stephen Campbell; Andy McDonnell, Eoin O’Connor, Derek Maguire.

Throw-in at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday is at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Louth hurling team to take on Longford has also been named. It is: James Connolly; Conor Kerrigan, Brian Carter, Andrew McCrave; Cathal Ryan, Cian Hayes, Ronan Byrne; Shane Callan, Jason Condon; Gerard Smyth, Gary Rellis, Andrew Mackin; Darren O’Hanrahan, Diarmuid Murphy, David Mahony.

Louth v Monaghan fixture details revealed

The details of Louth’s National Football and National Hurling League ties against Monaghan on Sunday have been revealed.

The Wee County’s hurlers will take on their neighbours in Aughnamullen at 12 noon. This will be followed by the footballers going head to head with Monaghan in Clones at 2.30pm.

It had been expected that the game would be a double header but it has not transpired that way.

Hurlers lose out to Fermanagh

Louth aspirations of making the National Hurling League Division 3A play-offs suffered a setback on Sunday when they lost out away to Fermanagh on a 5-13 to 2-12 scoreline.

The Wee County travelled north hoping to get their first points on the board after losing out to Roscommon in their opening fixture, but it was the home side who played better on the day.

Fermanagh had the wind in their backs in the first half and made the advantage count as they fired in three goals to take control of the game.

Louth battled gamely and a goal from Diarmuid Murphy kept them in touch although at the break they trailed by 3-7 to 1-5.

The visitors made a bright start to the second half and a second goal from Murphy helped them get to within three points.

However, just as the Louth confidence was building, a defensive error allowed Fermanagh in for a fourth goal. Dee McCarthy’s side were never able to bridge that gap and in the final seconds the home side sealed victory with a fifth goal.

Louth’s next game is away to Monaghan – a match that will be the curtain-raiser for the National Football League encounter between the two counties.

LOUTH: James Connolly; Conor Kerrigan, Johnny Carter, Andy McCrave 0-1; Ian Kelleher, Brian Carter, Cathal Ryan; Shane Callan 0-1, Jason Condon 0-1; Ronan Byrne 0-1, Gary Rellis, Darren O’Hanrahan; Davy Mahony 0-1, Diarmuid Murphy 2-7, David Kettle. Subs: Rickie McKeown for I Kelleher, David Yore for C Kerrigan, Paul McKeown for B Carter, Shane Maguire for D Kettle, John Matthews for D O’Hanrahan.

Louth GAA lend their support to Dundalk 10k

Derek Maguire, John O’Brien, Paddy Keenan and Keith McLaughlin of the Louth senior team will be competing in the Dundalk 10k

Louth GAA have once again lent their support to the forthcoming Dundalk 10k race on April 2nd.

A number of members of the county’s senior football and hurling teams signed up for the race earlier this week.

This year’s race will take place on Wednesday April 2nd at 6.30pm.

There are some changes to the race in 2014. Dundalk IT are the major sponsor and organiser and the race route will begin and end on the DkIT campus.

The main charity beneficiary is local NGO Development Perspectives, who run educational programmes in collaboration with partners in Africa and India.

Runners, joggers and walkers of all level of fitness are welcome to take part and raise funds for their favourite charity. The race will also be opened this year to wheelchair competitors.

The race was officially launched in Dundalk IT last month by Oisin McConville, Gary O’Hanlon and Denis Cummins.

Registration is €20 but if you do so now there is an early bird offer of €18 or a student entry for €15.

You can register here while further details are available from dundalk10k.com

Louth hurlers Diarmuid Murphy and Shane Callan lend their support to the Dundalk 10k

Roscommon come from behind to see off Louth hurlers

Louth’s hurlers went down to Roscommon a 2-16 to 1-15 scoreline in their opening National League Division 3A match at Darver on Sunday.

The Connacht outfit are favourites for the title this season but it was the Wee County who made the brighter start with a Diarmuid Murphy goal giving them a 1-10 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Roscommon upped their game on the restart and got back into things courtesy of a Niall Kilroy goal following a defensive mix-up that cut the gap back to two.

The visitors then got back on level terms with two further points before Cillian Egan found the net on 49 minutes to put his side 2-10 to 1-10 in front.

It was fairly end to end after that but Roscommon comfortably held out to leave new Louth boss Diarmuid McCarthy still chasing a first win since taking over at the start of the year.

Next up for Louth is a trip to face Fermanagh on Sunday.

Louth: James Connolly; Andrew McCrave, Johnny Carter, Paddy McCormack; Cathal Ryan, Cian Hayes, Conor Kerrigan; Shane Callan 0-2, Jason Condon; Darren O’Hanrahan, Gary Rellis, Andrew Mackin; Gerard Smyth 0-3, Diarmuid Murphy 1-8, David Kettle 0-2. Subs: David O’Mahony, Ronan Byrne, Shane Maguire and Ian Kelleher.

Louth hurlers open league campaign today

Louth hurlers will begin their Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A campaign against Roscommon in Darver this afternoon.

The team was selected on Friday night and is as follows: James Connolly; Paddy McCormack, John Carter, Andrew McCrave; Conor Kerrigan, Cian Hayes, Cathal Ryan; Jason Condon, Shane Callan; Andrew Mackin Gary Rellis, Darren O’Hanrahan; David Kettle, Diarmuid Murphy, Gerard Smyth.

New manager Diarmuid McCarthy will be looking to claim his first win since taking charge. Roscommon have already beaten Louth this season in the Kehoe Shield but the Wee County will be hoping for a better display this evening.

Throw-in at Darver is at 2pm.