Louth hurlers go down to Fingal in Nicky Rackard Cup

Louth hurlers went down to a 1-21 to 2-8 defeat to Fingal in Dundalk on Saturday, bringing their Nicky Rackard Cup dreams to a close.

The Wee County had made a dream start with goals from Andrew Mackin and Liam Dwan giving them a 2-3 to 0-2 lead after just 15 minutes.

However, a Paul McAllister goal saw the gap reduced to 2-5 to 1-7 at the break with Louth’s hopes badly hit by the dismissal of Darren O’Hanrahan two minutes after the restart with JM Sheridan’s dead ball skills helping the Dublin side to a comfortable victory in the end.

Louth hurlers paired with Armagh in Nicky Rackard Cup

Louth hurlers will face a tricky trip to face Armagh in the opening round of the Nicky Rackard Cup on Saturday May 2^nd.

A victory in that game would put the Wee County into the semi-finals, while a defeat would leave them in the quarter-finals where they would most likely have a home tie.

The first round fixture in full are: Monaghan v Longford, Donegal v Tyrone, Fingal v Roscommon, Armagh v Louth

McCrave named on Nicky Rackard Champion 15 team

Louth’s Andrew McCrave has been named on the Nicky Rackard Champion 15 team by the GAA.

The Pearse Óg defender will be honoured at Friday night’s GAA GPA All-Stars banquet sponsored by Opel at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

Speaking at the announcement of the Champions 15 award winners for the 2014 Ring, Rackard and Meagher Hurling Champions, GAA President Liam Ó Néill said: “These awards are recognition of the effort, skill and commitment of each recipient and I congratulate each of you on your selection.  These three competitions continue to go from strength to strength and that is in no small part due to the commitment and dedication, not to mention the skill levels, of the players competing, many of whom are honoured in these selections”.

Lennon named Louth Player of the Year by supporters

Shane Lennon fists past Laois goalkeeper Eoin Culleton in the Leinster Championship last May

Shane Lennon has been named the Louth GAA Supporters’ Club Senior Footballer of the Year for 2013.

The Kilkerley Emmets clubman, who is currently sidelined through injury, will collect the award for the first time exactly 10 years on from collecting the minor prize.

During a promising league campaign last year, Lennon scored 1-4 in a victory over Longford that secured Louth’s status in Division Two. He was also on target in the 1-16 to 1-6 Leinster Championship win over Laois in Portlaoise last May, scoring 1-3 on the day.

Meanwhile, the Minor Player of the Year award will go to Cian Doyle of the O’Connells, who has since worked his way into the senior setup.

Shane Callan will also collect the Senior Hurler of the Year award following an impressive campaign that saw him named on the Nicky Rackard Cup team of the year.

Callan and Dunne selected on Nicky Rackard team of the year

Two Louth hurlers have been named on the Nicky Rackard Cup team of the year.

Shane Callan from Pearse Óg and David Dunne from Knockbridge have been selected for a Champions 15 award, which is handed out to the best performers in the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher championships.

Both men have won the award in the past but it is nevertheless a tremendous honour for them, their families, their clubs and the county.

The pair will collect their awards on Friday night at the GAA/GPA All-Star banquet at Croke Park.

The team in full is: Christopher McDermot, Donegal; Seán McVeigh, Donegal; Lee Henderson, Donegal; Danny Cullen, Donegal; Shane Curley, Roscommon; Gerry Fallon, Roscommon; Ronan O’Meara, Roscommon; Peter Treanor, Monaghan; Trevor Hilliard, Monaghan; David Dunne, Louth; Shane Callan, Louth; Liam Reidy, Sligo; Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Sligo; Martin Grogan, Tyrone; Damian Casey, Tyrone.

New Louth minor and hurling managers appointed

Eugene Judge and Eamonn Dunne have been appointed the new joint managers of the Louth Minor team on a two-year term.

The duo bring a wealth of experience to the job with Newtown Blues man Eugene having been a selector to Paddy Clarke during his tenure as Louth boss just over a decade ago.

Eugene has also experience of winning championships as both a player and manager for the Blues, while former county star Eamonn also has a wealth of experience and has the added bonus of knowing many of the county’s up-and-coming underage stars having managed the Geraldines to this year’s Minor Championship.

Eamonn’s son Jimmy, aged 15, hit the headlines earlier this year when he signed for Manchester United.

Eugene Judge

The duo will be assisted by Ken Rooney from St Mary’s, whose side lost out to the Geraldines in the minor final.

The Louth minors will face a trip to Wexford in the first round of next year’s Leinster Championship.

Meanwhile, Diarmuid McCarthy is the new Louth Senior Hurling Manager, having also been appointed on a two year term.

A former county goalkeeper, McCarthy has played in Nicky Rackard Cup finals and is a member of the Wolfe Tones Hurling Club in Drogheda.

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• Louth U-21s and minors face away trips in next year’s Leinster Championship (talkofthetown.ie)

Hurlers go down to Tyrone

Louth hurling manager Pat Clancy

The opening round of the Nicky Rackard Cup didn’t go according to plan for Pat Clancy’s Louth side as they were defeated 1-11 to 0-12 at Healy Park yesterday.

Louth got off to a great start as Brian Corcoran hit the first four points of the match, but a Kiefer Morgan goal kick started Tyrone’s challenge and they led by 1-5 to 0-5 at half time.

Damien Casey and Diarmuid Murphy exchanged points early in the second half before Louth fought back to narrow the gap to a solitary point, but Tyrone substitute Sean Og Grogan hit a late point to ensure the victory for the home side.