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.

Hurlers name team for Nicky Rackard opener against Tyrone

Louth’s Shane Callan

Louth hurlers have named their team for Saturday’s Nicky Rackard Cup opener away to Tyrone.

Included in Pat Clancy’s side are Shane Fennell and Shane Callan, who had both been rated doubtful for the trip to Carrickmore.

Daire McKiernan has failed to recover in time though, while Wesley Morrissey is ruled out with a long-term groin injury. In his absence, Mattock Rangers’ Johnny Carter is named at full back.

The Louth team in full is: James Connolly; Donal Rafferty, Johnny Carter, Mark Wallace; Donhnall McArdle, Shane Callan, Diarmuid Murphy; Darren O’Hanrahan, Nigel Stanley; Shane Fennell, Gary Rellis, David Dunne; David Mahony, Andrew Mackin, Brian Corcoran.