Sharpshooter Burns lays down a marker

AFTER an opening round win over London, Colin Kelly could scarcely have asked for a better February as Louth ended the month with two more wins and a 100 per cent record in Division 4.

It was by no means plain sailing as the Reds had to roll up their sleeves in the last 10 minutes on a rotten Sunday afternoon at Carriganore to slip past Waterford.

On his first appearance of 2016, substitute Ryan Burns chipped over the decisive free in the third minute of added time as Louth snatched their first win on the road for nearly three years.

Burns made a timely return from injury mid-way through the second half to assume the dead ball responsibilities and steer the ship home as Louth made it two from two.

Colin Kelly’s side enjoyed a hardearned break from competitive action, but they returned at the end of the month with an emphatic 0-15 to 1-2 win over a deplorable Wicklow side at the Gaelic Grounds, thus ensuring joint top spot in the table and putting promotion firmly on the agenda.

As the seniors took a break in the middle of the month, the Under-21s took centre stage - but it was for one night only!

A strong Laois side looked the better outfit from the start at Haggardstown and secured a convincing and deserved 3-15 to 1-14 win.

The National Hurling League also pucked off, but Louth suffered an agonising defeat to eventual champions Roscommon, 1-16 to 1-14.

They bounced back with a 2-11 to 2-10 win over Warwickshire in Birmingham, however.

Louth ladies continued their solid start in Division 4 with a 3-6 to 1-10 win over Longford to make it two wins from two, but they were brought back to earth with a bang following a 2-18 to 0-1 defeat to Limerick.

But pride of place in the month of February went to the DkIT seniors who clinched Trench Cup with a 1-14 to 1-8 victory over Waterford IT in the final.

Meath’s opening-round NFL Division 2 game ended in victory over Armagh, but it was methodical rather than spectacular from Mick O’Dowd’s men and their subsequent defeat in Fermanagh - where they registered only six points (five from frees) - was more indicative of their league form.

In club football, St Colmcille’s began their first-ever Division 1 league campaign with victory over Wolfe Tones, while Duleek/Bellewstown also won and St Patrick’s lost by only a point to reigning champions Dunshaughlin. Duleek and St Pat’s were drawn in the same group in the Senior Championship.