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).

Disappointing week for Louth football continues as Cavan slay juniors

A disappointing week for Louth continued last night when the county’s juniors lost out to Cavan in the Leinster JFC semi-final at Dowdallshill on a 0-17 to 0-8 scoreline.

Following on from the defeat in the senior championship against Kildare at the weekend, the juniors were equally second best with any chance they had of staying in the game marred by some poor shooting.

The game did start in encouraging fashion for Louth as Sean McCann opened the scoring with a pointed free, and although Philip Tinnelly levelled, Tommy Durnin had Louth back in front.

However, that was as good as it got for the hosts as Cavan started to dominate and kicked three points in succession to lead on 17 minutes. Louth did have a clear sight of goal during that spell but Gerard McSorley’s effort from close range was blocked, while his side also recorded a number of disappointing wides.

They were to suffer a further blow in the 22nd minute when James Califf went down injured and after a lengthy delay had to be taken away by ambulance.

That incident didn’t help Louth’s cause as in the remaining minutes before the break a Cavan blitz saw them add seven points without reply. Among the scorers were David Hyland, Paul O’Connor, Liam Buchanan, Packie Leddy and Enda Reilly as their side went into the break with a 0-11 to 0-2 lead.

The Wee County put up an improved showing in the third quarter with points from Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Williams, but at the other end Cavan were still able to pick off easy points and effort from Buchanan, James Morris and Reilly had them 0-14 to 0-4 ahead on 40 minutes.

Two fine efforts from Sean McCann along with another from O’Connor, helped Louth reduce the gap to 0-15 to 0-7 with 13 minutes to play. The goals the hosts badly needed never looked like coming and after Thomas Moore and Niall Conlon exchanged points, it was fitting that David Hyland should have the final say with a pointed free to complete a very comfortable win.

CAVAN: James Farrelly; Fergal Reilly, James Morris 0-1, Damien Barkey; Niall Smith, Barry Doyle, Conor Moynagh; Packie Leddy 0-1, Liam Buchanan 0-3; Philip Tinnelly 0-4, Chris Conroy, Michael Lyng, Paul O’Connor 0-1, David Hyland 0-2, Enda Reilly 0-4. Subs: Thomas Moore 0-1 for P O’Connor, Paul Smith for N Smith, Brian Sankey for L Buchanan, Niall Clerkin for D Barkey, Enda Hession for E Reilly, G Smith for J Morris.

LOUTH: Robert Samson; Anthony Williams 0-1, Bernard Mulligan, Peter Nixon; Conall O’Hanlon, Gary Connolly, Richard Brennan; Sean McCann 0-3, James Califf; Tommy Durnin 0-1, John Kermode, Peter Kirwan; Niall Conlon 0-1, Eoin O’Connor 0-2, Gerard McSorley. Subs: Bevan Duffy for J Kermode, Jackie Agnew for J Califf, Darren O’Hanlon for G Connolly, Daniel O’Connell for P Kirwan.

Louth see off Kildare to advance in Leinster JFC

Louth booked their place in the last four of the Leinster JFC after seeing off Kildare on a 1-12 to 2-8 scoreline in Dowdallshill last night.

The Wee County had trailed by four points late in the first half but recovered to lead by five entering the closing stages. However, a late point from Conall O’Hanlon was needed to secure the win after Kildare struck for a second goal late on.

Louth, managed by Dundalk Young Irelands clubman Kieran Maguire, got off to the worst possible start when the visitors hit the net through Seamus McNally inside the opening minute.

The home side recovered well from that setback, however, with points from James Califf, Sean McCann and Gerard McSorley reducing the deficit back to 1-1 to 0-3.

Kildare responded with three points in-a-row to extend their lead to four points and despite John Kermode and Califf replying, the Lilywhites still held a four point lead approaching half-time.

Califf then fired over again before a penalty from Kermode on the stroke of half-time brought the sides level at 1-6 apiece at the break.

The Wee County then carried that momentum into the second half with two Califf points, as well as further scores from McSorley, Shane O’Hanlon and Niall Conlon helping them to race into a 1-11 to 1-6 lead.

Two points from the visitors at the start of the third quarter gave them some hope but a well taken Conall O’Hanlon point in the 57^th minute was to prove crucial.

Late on Seamus Hanafin scored a penalty to reduce the gap back to the minimum but Louth held out for a deserving win.

Louth will now meet Cavan in the semi-finals.

LOUTH: Robert Sansom; Anthony Williams, Bernard Mulligan, Peter Nixon; Conall O’Hanlon 0-1, Gary Connolly, Richard Brennan; Sean McCann 0-1, James Califf 0-5; Tommy Durnin, John Kermode 1-1, Peter Kirwan; Niall Conlon 0-1, Shane O’Hanlon 0-1, Gerard McSorley 0-2. Sub: Ray McCabe for J Kermode.