Louth book derby date
A TEN-POINT victory flattered Louth slightly, but they sealed a quarter-final showdown with neighbours Meath with a bit to spare in Carlow.
The started well and led by 0-11 to 0-6 at half-time, but Carlow rallied after the break to put it up the Division 4 champions.
However, Colin Kelly’s side responded brilliantly and had 22 points on the board before late goals from Ryan Burns and Anthony Williams added the gloss.
The Reds coughed up 3-11, their highest concession of the season, leaving them with plenty to ponder ahead of the Meath showdown, but all in all it was a good day out for the Wee County.
The hurlers made it two wins from two in the Lory Meagher Cup with a gritty 3-14 to 2-10 victory in Warwickshire and the Reds reached the final with a game to spare next time out following a 3-15 to 0-10 win over Lancashire in Dunleer. In their final group game Louth ensured they would be heading to Croke Park on the back of a 100 per cent record as they narrowly saw off Leitrim.
Louth’s minor championship campaign met an agonising when Johnny Kelly fired over a dramatic winner deep into injury time to send Laois through to the last four. Sam Mulroy starred for Wayne Kierans’ side with 1-6, and three of the team received senior call-ups later in the season, with Ross Nally and Cian Callan also making it into Colin Kelly’s set-up.
Louth ladies suffered a baptism of fire at the hands of Kildare in the Leinster Intermediate Championship in Newbridge. The young Reds worked hard but could not compete with the current Leinster Intermediate champions and All Ireland runners-up in 2015.
‘What’s seldom is wonderful!’ our reporter began as he reflected on a remarkable 1-18 to 2-15 win for Meath over old foes Dublin in the Leinster Minor Championship. St Colmcille’s clubman James Conlon scored five points.
In club football, the evergreen Donal Curtis proved to be a super-sub as Rathkenny overcame Gaeil Colmcille in the SFC, the Duleek/ Bellewstown v St Patrick’s derby ended all square and Seneschalstown beat Skryne. St Colmcille’s and Curraha both won their second-round IFC matches.
Daire Rowe amassed an extraordinary tally of 3-11 in Syddan’s league win against Bective and Rathkenny moved top of Division 2 after hitting 14 points in the first half en route to a big win over Walterstown.